It's working for Shannon F
Frederick, Maryland
3 children
"My biggest concern was probably how I would be able to balance family life with work. "
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
Stay true to your beliefs and what is most important. You can still be a successful parent with a career.
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 felt it was important to breast feed for as long as I personally could. I knew the benefits of breast milk and wanted my baby to have the best. I did supplement with formula when I wasn’t producing as much milk as my baby needed.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
With each pregnancy I took about 3 months off due to c-section and found it to be easier to return to work after each pregnancy. The first time returning was the hardest b/c I felt like I was still trying to figure motherhood out.
What was your biggest challenge going back to work?
My biggest concern was probably how I would be able to balance family life with work. My job required me to commute about 45 min to an hour each way and that factored into time away from my baby.
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
How much energy and work it takes being a mom, also, how relationships can change once you have children.