It's working for Meredith S
Charleston , South Carolina
2 children
"Our handbook describes pregnancy as 'just like any other disability.' Pregnancy = cancer = broken leg. That's kind of a horrible testament to how this country views and values families."
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
Take some time for yourself. Get a babysitter, lean on family. Do whatever you have to do to keep a piece of yourself alive and vibrant.
FOR MOMS: If you breastfed, was there a place for you to pump that met your needs and was conducive to your success? If you breastfed, how did you decide to continue? FOR DADS: What, if any, adjustments did you (or your workplace) make to your schedule after having a baby? Was it specific to your manager or larger, whole work culture?
Breastfeeding. Definitely. I really wanted to make it a priority but I worked in a small office. I had my own space but I shared a half-wall with this poor 23-year-old kid. He had to endure the “wokka wokka” sound of my pump twice a day and my boss occasionally ignored my clever “Milking Session in Progress” sign and let herself in to chat.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
4 weeks and 8 weeks (but I had to use some of my own leave and short-term disability, which didn’t cover my entire salary).
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
How little Me/Hubs and Me time there would be.