Maternity Leave 2.0
Returning to Work Post Pandemic: Maternity Leave 2.0
I remember the weeks leading up to returning to work after 12 weeks of maternity leave; I was emotional and anxious. I was about to leave my daughter with perfect strangers. I was about to get thrown into the deep end of a chaotic schedule and learning the complex dance of being a working mom. It was a tough transition those first several weeks, still getting up in the middle of the night for feedings and then transitioning into a new role at work, but we survived. I remember those days sitting at my desk wondering if my daughter was ok at daycare. I couldn’t wait to pick her up at 5 pm. I would walk into the daycare with my high heels and worn off makeup and remember lighting up when I got to her room!
After a few months, it just became routine. I would get updates about her progress, or her first bite of banana. Daycare really started to feel like a positive. It became a little family. I was getting connected to other working moms and Sophie was thriving! We started to get in a groove, then a pandemic hit. The first few weeks of the pandemic felt like a whirlwind. Who would watch Sophie? What about those meetings I had to attend? She needed constant attention. Well fast forward 8 weeks later, we have a new “normal.” I love waking up late, letting her snuggle extra long in bed. Eating lunch with her, putting her down for a nap, and getting to go on our 4:00 pm walks! It’s been hard. It’s been tiring, but the moments I get to spend with her have been rewarding! I have been there to see her learn new things every day. I have also been the one to deal with ALL of the tantrums and poopy diapers but it’s the price you pay for having your kid home 24/7.
We just got word we would be returning to the office next month. Getting the email felt like a relief. Normal life? Back to our regular schedule? Curling my hair again and wearing heels? Yes, please! However, as excited as I am to get back to “normal” it was a little bit of a gut punch. Honestly, I feel like I am living on maternity leave all over again. Do any other moms relate? I vacillate between excitement, anxiety, and a little bit of sadness. I won’t see my girl 24/7. I won’t be there to tuck her in for a nap or share a lunch date outside. I won’t be the one listening to her giggle when she pushes over her stack of cups. I will have to go back to the days of cherishing those little moments between 5 pm and 7:30 pm. I will have to enjoy any extra cuddles I get in the morning and remind myself of the few months I got to be both a working mom and stay a home mom. Like I learned after returning to work from maternity leave, it will be ok. Life is still good. But there will be a hint of sadness that first day I drop my daughter off at daycare. I might shed a tear or two, but I will also enjoy the return to normalcy and embrace those small moments each day!!
Post-Pandemic Life: What I want to change
With the recent changes in our society, I think many professionals are finding what they thought was a good work-life balance, was nothing more than an overwhelmed and over-scheduled family. Since social distancing went into place, I can honestly say my family has been more of a priority. I have enjoyed time with my family, unlike before when it was getting home just in time to sit down to eat and then off to the night time routines of baths and bedtime. Some days I would even return to the computer screen to answer last-minute emails or do meeting prep for the next day. However, since Covid hit, I have had more time at home (ok.24/7 at home) and I have realized I needed an overhaul on my busy schedule.
So what changes will I make going forward?
Protect my time at home. No more do I want work emails or meeting prep to sneak back into my schedule when I leave for the day. I will be more protective and proactive in keeping “family time” really “family time.”
Eat at home more often. My family was probably like most. We would eat out way too much time to count because it was “easier.” However, with Covid, we have found some great and easy recipes that are simple to throw together. Head over to our Resource Page for some ideas!
Get outside. We have been taking walks almost daily (weather permitting). It’s been wonderful to get fresh air and away from the screens. Also, it’s helping to promote a healthy lifestyle with my daughter!
Facetime with friends. Several close friends and I have implemented weekly facetime phone chats. It’s been refreshing and good for the soul. We have all agreed after everything returns to normal, we will continue our coffee time chats! Community is important and building relationships needs to stay a priority. It’s much more rewarding than climbing a corporate ladder!
Making time for my goals. Over the last 12 weeks, I have had a renewed motivation to start accomplishing those things I've always wanted to do. I've realized that my time in the past has been spent on wasted “space” (meaning TV or social media). I have started to carve out time during this pandemic to truly set realistic goals and work towards them.
What will you be changing? Has your family been better off because of Covid? Are there unhealthy habits you have encountered that you have decided to change?
Big Hugs,
Clayr Simnacher
President and Founder of Work Mom Repeat