Account Manager
Mom to Antony & Cyrus
Childcare: Daycare
What did you struggle with most about returning to work after having your kids?
“The biggest struggle for me with my first child was a change to my self-confidence as an employee.”
The biggest struggle for me with my first child was a change to my self-confidence as an employee. I was extremely tired with my son having just regressed into an every two-hour waker at night. I felt sensitive about having to excuse myself from the office to retrieve my sick (daycare) kid, wondered if people thought I had changed since having him and worried people would associate any error as "mom brain" or the like. After my second child, I came back with almost 100% more confidence than the first. I just needed time to adjust to motherhood and I came to realize that my fears were mostly self-induced.
What do you find difficult about being a working parent?
There are these occasional times in the mornings or en route to activities where I have to cut my older son short on a good conversation just to get out of the door. As with everything, being limited on time is hard. Also operations - drop-offs, errands, housework, grocery shopping - everything becomes so much trickier once you have kids!
What do you enjoy about being a working parent?
"I love where I work and the people I work with, so while I don't have as budding a social life as I once had, I feel that my job fills a lot of that void for me in that it helps me keep and foster connections with great people."
I love where I work and the people I work with, so while I don't have as budding a social life as I once had, I feel that my job fills a lot of that void for me in that it helps me keep and foster connections with great people. And of course, I love being challenged and given the opportunity to grow. I have an awesome support system both through my work and my husband, so that is an element I never take for granted when so many people do it alone!
After being back at work for some time, have your views about career and family changed?
Yes. As I mature and gain more confidence as a mother, I am less apologetic taking time for my kids and family. And I fully recognize the fact that all parents have unique family needs that require different types of jobs, hours, etc. Before I had kids, I appreciated that, but not to the extent that I do now.
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?
"I would try to give myself credit as a pretty hard working and perfectly capable person who hasn't changed just because she had a child."
I would remind myself that I kicked some major butt getting through those sleepless nights, so I would try to give myself credit as a pretty hard working and perfectly capable person who hasn't changed just because she had a child. Also - and I know this is a cliche - but really it gets easier and better every day!