Kayla

Mom to Zuri

Length of Maternity Leave: 6-weeks

Childcare: Daycare

What did you struggle with most about returning to work after having your kids?

My experience returning to work was a big ball of emotions! I felt refreshed because I missed the adult interaction but I also felt bad for having to put my daughter in daycare at such a young age. I was nervous about being away from her all day 5 days a week because I just always thought about how nobody knows her better than me and her father! Sometimes the guilt was overwhelming but I always had to go back to the mindset of if it wasn’t for this job I was blessed with in the first place I wouldn’t be able to provide for her the way I am able to now.

What do you find difficult about being a working parent?

What I find challenging is that most of the time during the week my days are completely booked! I’m typically picking my daughter up right after work and need to have her settled before she goes to bed. In trying to do that I also find it difficult to ensure I spend enough time with her when I get off work . It can be challenging when it comes to running a business so time management is HUGE for me.

What do you enjoy about being a working parent?

What I enjoy is being able to have an organized day. Working full time keeps me motivated and on track to accomplishing my goals for the day when it comes to both my daughter and household in general. When I was on maternity leave I found myself getting extremely bored and not feeling productive.

After being back at work for some time, have your views about career and family changed?

Yes! Prior to even having my daughter I was constantly faced with the opinion that a 9-5 was a “scam” and that the goal should be to quit and go into business for yourself . After going on maternity leave and getting a taste of what life is like NOT working a 9-5? I realized I would go crazy! I love having a successful career AND owning my own business because multiple streams of income has always been my goal. My views on family are also because now I put family time before ANYTHING. I was so loyal to the hustle in the past that it would put a strain on my family which I refused to do anymore.

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?

One thing I wish I could go back and tell myself is to make time for self care! When I went back to work I was so focused on getting back in my work flow that I would often feel burnt out. I also would have let myself know that both business and personal relationships change when you come back from maternity leave! Believe it not, people treat you differently in both good and bad ways after you have a child. Being able to accept those changes was difficult and I would tell myself to focus on personal time.

What did you choose for childcare, and how has it been for your family?

Daycare

The pros are that they are a bilingual staff, provide formula and baby food, offer a discount for my job and they are open in Saturday’s.

The cons are that they worry more than I do and are quick to call me or her father to pick her up. I’m glad they are attentive but sometimes it’s not always easy for me to hop up and leave work but my fiancé is really good about stepping up and helping.

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Don’t compare yourself to other moms! You will get so much input and opinions but at the end of the day it’s your body and your child. There is no manual to motherhood so write your own and stay confident!