Britt

Mom to Olivia

Human Resources

Length of maternity leave: 6 weeks, 1 additional month medical

Childcare: Daycare

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

The transition was harder than I thought. Finding myself as a professional again didn’t come as naturally as I thought it would.

What do you find difficult about being a working parent?

It’s hard to fit it all in but SOMEHOW you do!

What do you enjoy about being a working parent?

I feel like being a working mom makes me a better mom. I’m proud of my professional career and I’m proud of the example that it sets for my daughter.

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

I am more sympathetic towards anything people have going on outside of work. Not that I wasn’t before but if something is important to them, it’s valid in my book as their colleague.

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?

A senior leader had a great analogy on balance: she (a working mom) held up a rubber ball in one hand and a glass ball in her other hand. She had a conflicting family/work situation. She had a presentation that needed attention and her son had a soccer game - last game of the year, against the school rival kind of game.

That day, that game was the glass ball. If she dropped that ball, she doesn’t get another opportunity to have that moment again. The presentation was the rubber ball. If she dropped it, it bounces back - there’s room for recovery. Not every game is a glass ball but it was a great message about balance and really stuck with me.

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

Daycare full time Stimulation! And I trust them - it’s been a good network for me as well.