It's working for Neneh D
Washington, DC
4 children
"My supervisor and human resources and I sat down and agreed that once I returned I would work part time every day for the first three weeks and then I was allowed to telework once a week."
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
Not everyone has your best interest at heart when it comes to work. Some will use your vulnerabilities against you to get ahead.
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?
I pumped. Luckily I had an office but I have to say that I did not find dragging the pump to work, storing milk in a fridge and transporting it back home convenient at all.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
I took 12 weeks unpaid leave. I work for the federal government
How easy was it to put a childcare arrangement together and did it work for your family?
Our kids were taken care of by an in house nanny for at least a year then out into a home daycare until they were 3 and then regular day care.
What was your biggest challenge going back to work?
The guilt I felt leaving my daughter at home and the feeling of inadequacy as an employee.