What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?

Your to-do list isn’t going anywhere and will never be completed. Just breathe. Be present.

What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?

I needed to come back to work for many reasons. For both of my children I shared the news of my pregnancy in the first trimester. Both times several coworkers were pregnant as well, and I wanted to make sure I gave decent notice so that finding a substitute would be less challenging for my employer.

How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?

For my first, I took only six weeks after she was born. For my second, I took 12 weeks.  The first time around I was in a complete daze, really overwhelmed.  I remember almost shaking with anxiety and excitement at the end of each day while I commuted home, just so eager to get back to my daughter. For my son, I felt a bit more prepared, and since I already had one child to care for, I had a routine, and it worked for the most part.

How easy was it to put a childcare arrangement together and did it work for your family?

My childcare provider was great. She eased the transition by texting me updates and taking lots of pictures.

What was your biggest challenge going back to work?

It was actually harder going back to work after the second child, after taking more time for my maternity leave.

Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?

I lived far away from family with my firstborn, so my friends, who were also teachers were my biggest source of support, because they were living the same reality.  My husband was also very supportive. For my son, my mom was nearby and was a huge support to me in returning to work.

With my daughter, I’d say my biggest pregnancy indulgence was Publix Subs. For my son, it was naps.  Though my plan was to wean my then 5-year-old daughter off of naps in preparation for kindergarten, we ended up napping together all summer.  I think my body knew something, because once my son arrived he barely slept for a year!

Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!

I never expected leaving my kids to go to work would be so hard and sticking to a routine would be so much easier!

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