Getting Back to Work After Baby
Something I have realized so much after having my first baby, is that you sort of evolve into the next best version of yourself. For me personally, I have welcomed this evolution with open arms. I feel as though I am a softer, gentler version of myself with a different kind of drive from within. B.D. (before Dallas lol). I was a pedal to the metal, go after your dreams 24/7 kind of gal. I ate, breathed, and slept striving for the next accomplishment or success. My entire soul was dedicated to being better in my businesses every single day. To being better at LIFE every single day. But since having Dallas, that drive has shifted and I have new priorities and dreams for what I want my life to look like as a mom.
Unless you are a mom yourself, it’s hard for the outside world to see how much love, dedication, patience, and time it takes to raise a little one. So, when I set myself up for my maternity leave, I had no idea how much being a mom would rock my world, in the best way possible. You are going to laugh when you hear me say this, but I scheduled my maternity leave for 2 weeks. I thought “oh, I have done so many things, surely I will have this baby and be able to be back to full-time after we get a schedule set in a couple weeks”... are you laughing yet lol?
Fast forward to today, 5 months postpartum, I am STILL struggling to get my shiz together on a daily basis. So if you are an expecting or new mom, here are my thoughts on what to expect and how to shift your mindset as you enter this new, amazing chapter of life:
Check your maternity leave policy at your current/future job. It’s something you don’t think about when you aren’t planning on kids anytime soon but trust me when I say that you are going to want as much time as your employer is willing to give you. Not only for recovery, but to bond with the most important human in your life.
What I care about vs what I cared about B.D. has shifted. I have a different outlook on what success means to me and if this happens to you, embrace it fully. Life is too short to worry about getting back to your previous self. You have a new human to care for now that will bring you more joy than anything else in the world! Change is good!
Your new “goals” might look different these days. Success in your eyes may shift into something entirely new and that is amazing! What drove you then might not drive you now. Maybe climbing up the corporate ladder was once a huge dream of yours but now you would rather be a stay-at-home mom with a smaller but fulfilling side gig.
When you are freshly postpartum, your body is wired to only care about baby for a while. If and when you go back to work, don’t be surprised if you feel extra rusty. You will get your groove back!!
Childcare. I am very grateful that I have my mom close by to help me as I dive back into being full-time, but let me tell you, I once thought I could do both (take care of baby AND work full-time. Again, you can laugh). Now that I am back to being full-time, if I don’t have childcare help that day, the day ends in tears and frustration because I am unable to give both 100% attention. Trust me, it is really hard to be good at both at the same time (unless you are supermom and if so, give us your tips). Sometimes it is hard to ask for help, but it is important. Start thinking about this as you are about to become a new mom!
The last thing I will say is that nothing and nobody could have prepared me for how much love I have for this little one. I am very grateful that I was able to extend my maternity leave for 4 months and I wish our country took it a little more seriously like they do in others. Birthing a human is no joke and the recovery can be tough in every way. Not only that, but having uninterrupted time with your newborn is one of the most special times in your life.
Although most of us cannot control the time we are able to take away from work, I hope that the above at least prepares you for what’s to come outside of that aspect. I have never loved another version of myself more than the version of me being a mom, and I hope you experience this too.
Love you guys, have the best week!!