{Juliet and I on a walk on a gorgeous day on one of the last days of my maternity leave}Today is my fourth day back to work. The week has been a bit of a whirlwind. Emotional. Busy.
The transition back to work has been hard.
I really miss Juliet. But...the actual work part is pretty good. As I'm driving into work in the mornings sometimes I think it feels like I was never really gone. My coworkers are great and it's so good to see them again on a daily basis. I've done a project or two that has been fun and reminds me I like advertising and media. I have a job I enjoy, which makes me really lucky. I pump three times a day which I've come to realize is such a huge commitment. Of course it's worth it because breastfeeding Juliet has been one of the most rewarding and bonding aspects about being her momma. But pumping is a little lonely and just reminds me that I'm not with my baby.
Juliet has been with Erik's mom this week, she is staying with us and it has helped us tremendously. I don't have to worry about dropping Juliet off anywhere and she gets to be within the comforts of her home. Grandma Karen dotes on her all day and I can tell they are having fun. This has helped the transition a lot and I am so grateful.
I know it gets easier each day so within the next few weeks I'm sure this will be the new normal. Juliet still has a late bedtime, she doesn't go to sleep until about 9-9:30 so that means I get at least 3 hours with her each evening, which I cherish. I can't imagine when she starts going to bed earlier.
Which all brings me to say...it's been so hard finding time to blog. I'm so exhausted by the time Juliet goes to bed that I go to sleep at the same time. So blogging has definitely taken a back seat. I really hope I can get back into it because I have so many posts in my head waiting to be documented. Juliet turning 3 months (she is such a big girl, I can't believe it!), the birth story is almost written and I have a couple amazing days that I want to share during the final weeks of my maternity leave (a day spent in Uptown Minneapolis with Erik and Juliet and a fabulous lunch and walk around the lake with my BFF Kristin). So stay tuned for, what I think is, a lot of good stuff.
Working moms, I'd love any advice you have on how to make this transition easier or anything in general that you think may help.
I'm not a working Momma, or a Momma at all, but I do work with Children daily. Have you considered finding a Nanny or do you plan on trying out a daycare?
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MandaJ - Juliet will be with my mom all summer. I'll be bringing her there 3 times a week and my mom will be coming to our house twice a week. So that will be great. My mom is wonderful with her. Juliet won't be going to daycare until September and we've already found an in-home provider we really like, she came from a recommendation of friends we trust. A nanny would be great but I think it's a bit out of our budget.
ReplyDeleteIt will get easier with time!!! There are days that I wish I didn't have to come to work because I miss being at home with my baby, I mean toddler (tear)! But there are also days I can't wait to run to work to get away!!!
ReplyDeleteBeing at work and having adult conversations is so important to feel "normal"! Enjoy every moment with your daughter... it goes way TOO fast!!!!
Michaela
Such a sweet post, Jenna! Cute pic, too. :) It does get easier over time, and you're such a natural momma that you'll find your new groove. Creating a special post-work routine that Chloe and I both can count on and look forward to every day has been wonderful for recharging that connection after being away during the work day. :)
ReplyDeleteI just do nor understand it. You birth children, but you are not with them and strangers/gradmas/nannies raises and cuddles and hugs and feed them. And you work to pay for the nanny and all the time you fell lonely and miss the little babies. It is not normal.
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ReplyDeleteZsuza - I believe you've made your point with your many comments, basically all saying the same thing. In the US, many mothers, maybe even the majority, are working mothers. This does NOT mean that we do not raise/cuddle/hug our children. Our time may be more limited with our children than those of mothers in other countries, but I'm sure most mothers ensure they spend quality time with their children. Women in the US enjoy having other roles, in addition to being mothers, we like to have careers. We don't simply work to pay for nannies, we work to pay for mortgages, cars, clothes and food. I don't think you know what you're talking about when you say "it is not normal". It's very normal here and we love our children just as much whether we are working or staying home.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, I have only worked a short period of time, when Annika was a baby and it was the hardest thing I've ever done. Even if you don't work, the balance will always be a struggle. I struggle daily to find time to fit it all in. And, I agree with the above comment, so many mother's are better moms because they also have a career they love. Staying at home isn't for everyone, just like advertising, law, being a doctor, etc. isn't for everyone. And, it just may not be financially feasible to be home. Whatever the situation, there should be no judgement. We know you love your sweet angel and that's all there is to it. I am so sick of the judgement amongst us. It's got to stop somewhere!
ReplyDeleteYou will get through this. The first month was really hard for me and then it got easier. You are so lucky she goes to bed early. Henry was so exhausted from day care all day that he was asleep by 7 (still goes to bed at 7!). You never know what the future will bring. At the time I thought I would be a working mom for a long time, but instead was a stay at home mom 2 1/2 years later. Everything happens for a reason and I am glad to be at home with them today..But I think I could have done it for awhile. I do miss being able to have some time to myself to go out to lunch and to dress up for work each day. I miss the energy and buzz of Minneapolis. I miss the talented and incredibly smart people I worked with each day...But I am learning in life..there is always change...A birth, a move, a job change, a death, etc. Life is always changing and we are always adapting to our situation. Hang in there. You are amazing at what you do as a mother and as a media supervisor! I have always admired your sense of grace under pressure and that's important in motherhood too. You will rock both jobs however they are balanced. I just know it!
ReplyDeleteLove the mommy/baby pic and it definitely gets better over time! The opposite actually happened to me where the beginning transition to work was OK and then around the 3rd or 4th month back I started to feel pretty down. My mom watches Bails as well and the first couple of months she would email me everyday at work what they've been doing, reading and eating! I loved reading it and feeling like I was a little bit apart of their day :)
ReplyDeleteNatali :)
Sorry if I was rude, I am not native, so maybe my language is not perfect.
ReplyDeleteMy mother had a great and huge carrier, even though she was at home with me and my sister for 7 years. But she thought for work and job she has so much time and years, from approx. 18 years to 65, so why not take a little break for the most important "thing" in life. She always says to me "you can work whenever you want, but your child is only onece a baby".
So all in all, I am not saying a woman is only godd for housekeeping a raising children, but balance is important for me.
By the way, I love your blog!
I've been back to work for three months now, and it does get easier with time. I still don't LIKE it, but it's easier. And I know my daughter is having a good time playing with other people that love her, and learning from them.
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate to have a career you love, and Juliet will benefit from your happiness. :) Mothers should spend more time lifting each other up and helping, instead of being harsh towards one another and their choices. Life takes all kinds!
Happy momma = happy baby. Keep up the good work!
As everyone says, it does get easier. Yes, when your child starts going to bed earlier you get less time with them. Unfortunately there's no way around it unless you can get flex time or work out a new schedule, like leaving early 2 days a week or something. The flip side is that you get a tiny bit more time for you and your spouse--that's nothing to take for granted! For me, I love my work and I fully intend to keep doing it, both because I want to and because we need the income to pay the mortgage. I love my son too of course, but that doesn't mean I can't do other things with my life! Life does get MUCH busier once you have a kid though. I truly don't even know what I did with all my free time before! It seems like every night now is a whirlwind trying to get dinner on the table and then getting the bedtime routine done. I find I can't really accomplish much at all in the evenings. Weekends are a little better, but usually we're busy trying to catch up on stuff we didn't do during the week. Lots of times my husband and I just feel cranky, exhausted, and worn down, but somehow we make it work. You'll find the balance that's right for your family. Those first few months can be brutal. Just hang in there and do what feels right!
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