It's working for Pam Ginocchio & Melisa Fluhr
New Jersey and California
3 children
"Making a baby is a really big deal and hard on your body so it’s okay, you don’t have to do it all, all the time."
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
We would have told ourselves to take it all in stride. Making a baby is a really big deal and hard on your body so it’s okay, you don’t have to do it all, all the time. It’s wildly important to take care of yourself during your pregnancy and to take a minute to enjoy this special time. Looking back, it’s as if we blinked and bam, we now each have three children. We guess it’s fair to say, time flies when you are having fun!
How did you share the news of your pregnancy with your employer? How far along in your pregnancy were you when you had the conversation?
Well, one big benefit of running your own business is there are no secrets! One of the reasons our partnership works so well is because we are so close and honest with each other. I think I knew Melisa was pregnant before her husband. Being able to support each other both personally and professionally has always been one of the keys to our success.
How long did you take for maternity leave before heading back to work? How close was your back-to-work plan with the reality upon your return?
As our company founders, we kept our maternity leave very flexible. We gave each other time to enjoy our babies and slowly started returning important emails only when we were up for it. There was no pressure whatsoever. That’s the beauty of not only running your business but having a partner that has your back.
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work?
Besides our husbands, Team Project Nursery is always a critical source of support. Other working mothers know just how important taking the time you need for yourself and your baby really is.
Your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
Pam: Sweets! I went a bit overboard with the cupcakes.
Melisa: Bagels and bananas. Bring on the carbs!
Fill in the blanks:
Pam: As a working parent, I never expected staying awake past 10pm would be so hard and feeling good about saying no every once in a while would be so much easier!
Melisa: As a working parent, I never expected making dinner would be so hard and a couple days away for work travel (every now and then) would be so much easier!