It's working for Marta Aebischer
Charlotte, NC
3 children
“The business does go on without you and that’s okay. This doesn’t mean that you are unimportant to the business or replaceable, but rather that your maternity leave is just that – a chance to truly ‘leave’ the business to focus on something far more important with the full support of your company.”
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
1st Pregnancy: Really, The business does go on without you and that’s okay. This doesn’t mean that you are unimportant to the business or replaceable, but rather that your maternity leave is just that – a chance to truly ‘leave’ the business to focus on something far more important with the full support of your company. Truly, a rare occasion to check out of the business without strings, expectations, performance pressure, deadlines, goals … the list goes on. Take full advantage of it and allow yourself the time to be a mother in every sense.
And the underlying benefit of you checking out is that someone under you inevitably steps up and enjoys elevated responsibilities for the period you are out, giving them great exposure and experience.
2nd and 3rd Pregnancy: More wise – followed this advice and was truly ‘in the moment’ enjoying my time at home with baby/other kids and felt totally at ease leaving the business in the hands of my very capable team.
What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?
I had a direct conversation with my boss equipped with 3-month work plan in tow in my 2nd Trimester.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
12 weeks / 8 weeks paid / 4 FMLA. Definitely found the business had morphed and evolved more than plan reflected, but remained flexible and jumped back in. One month back and it seemed like I had never left (baby was only evidence that I had ;))
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
Surrounded by support from my boss (VP) down to my direct reports. But the stand out support came from other working mothers – an instant critical network.
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
I never expected getting out the door in the morning would be so hard and diving back into work would be so much easier!