Sarah

Branded Entertainment Manager

Mom to Gibson

Childcare: Nanny

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

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I only get two or three hours with my son each work day. And that someone else gets to spend exponentially more time with him than I do.

What do you find difficult about being a working parent?

At the beginning it felt impossible, but it seems to be getting easier and easier. Now it's part of my routine.

The mornings are a marathon. Never enough time and I feel like I'm always running late. I miss my son every single day. I text our nanny a lot and ask for photos. Those help and put a smile on my face. I'm still breastfeeding and pumping at work, so that's always hard to fit in those sessions during the day. But I make it work. At the beginning it felt impossible, but it seems to be getting easier and easier. Now it's part of my routine.

What do you enjoy about being a working parent?

I get to interact with smart people. I get to think strategically and challenge myself. I get to move forward important initiatives.

It's funny to say, but work now feels like "me time". I get to interact with smart people. I get to think strategically and challenge myself. I get to move forward important initiatives. And I'll one day be able to show my son the importance of hard work and the commitment working parents make to support their family.

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

I'm getting better at saying "no". No I can't accept the 7AM meeting. No I can't accept the 6PM dinner. My son comes first. Always.

I've noticed that while I still care a great deal about my work, and my personal brand, I stress less about the little things. We aren't saving lives. I savor each minute in the morning with Gibson. I go to work. I make every minute count by being engaged and delivering my best self. But then I go home, at 5PM if I can. I make every minute during dinner, play time, bath time, and story time count. I'm getting better at saying "no". No I can't accept the 7AM meeting. No I can't accept the 6PM dinner. My son comes first. Always.

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 cried, and cried, and cried about going back to work. I wanted to quit. I thought I would regret going back. I resented having to work. I was sad, mad, angry. Angry at the world for too short maternity leaves. Angry at society, why is everything so expensive? Why do we even have to go to work? Why do we have five day work weeks, and only two day weekends? It's not fair. I thought I was failing as a mom. I thought I was cheating my son of time with me. I thought he would like our nanny more than me. I wish I wouldn't have freaked out so bad. My son is a total Momma's boy. And I'm very proud of that.