Mom to Cameron
Physician Assistant
Length of Maternity Leave: 8-weeks
Childcare: Neighbor
What did you struggle with most about returning to work after having your kids?
It’s hard to pick one- initially it was stress about pumping/keeping my supply up, I had childcare inconsistency at first, lack of sleep, and the guilt! (See #2)
What do you find difficult about being a working parent?
The guilt. It’s never ending. Guilt about missing him. Missing milestones. Guilt about wanting to have a career. Guilt about wanting to work less to be home and the stress that’d cause my employer and us financially. Guilt about not being about to control everything. Guilt when I only see him a few hours one day and feel bad but then get work out when I’m with him all day. Catch my drift?
What do you enjoy about being a working parent?
Being able to show my son that women are strong, smart, and successful.
After being back at work for some time, have your views about career and family changed?
Yes! I desperately want to work less hours, I plan to after I have another. I feel less fulfilled at work because of my desire to be with my son. I thought for a bit I’d want to stay home full time but I realized that wouldn’t be a good fit for me.
Knowing what you know now, what’s one thing you wish you could go back in time and tell yourself as you were preparing to return to work or getting ramped up in your role?
To be more adamant about my needs with pumping, having longer time off, etc.
What did you choose for childcare, and how has it been for your family?
Neighbor
Pros are she’s amazing, inexpensive, reliable, respectful, and lives right behind us. Only con is when her kids get sick we are stuck.
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I actually switched jobs when my son was 3.5 months. I interviewed when I was pregnant and started in June. I was working in an urgent care and knew I didn’t want to continue the 12-hour shifts. I switched to a family practice with a much more conducive schedule. However, the practice got bought out by a hospital that October and now I’m working more hours. I’m glad that I made the switch but in retrospect that was a crazy time of huge transitions and I’m not sure how I made it through. I still struggle with work/mom balance, and even hit a point about 6-months postpartum where anxiety really hit me and I went to counseling. I’m doing much better but it’s been a challenge!
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