So long to my blissful FMLA

kikimeemee · January 2015

I start back at work tomorrow after being off for 12 weeks with my first baby.

There are some wonderful things about my position so it's not looming doom I feel but a big part of me is sad my life will no longer be 100% about baby care, shopping with baby for the perfect pair of tights, endless hours in yoga pants, random naps with baby in the middle of the day, never wearing makeup and whatnot. I'm very concerned about how I'll be able to fit in pumping with being out on the road and seeing clients.

Just felt like venting. Thank you :-)

CarrieB. · January 2015

Can you work from home at all? I work from home Tuesday mornings and staying in yoga pants for a couple extra hours is great!

Seriously though, you'll be great! It takes awhile to adjust, but hang in there.

kikimeemee · January 2015

Yes, I do get to work from home so you bring up a good point that I should focus most of the best parts of me job. :-)

erikaph · January 2015

I think the hardest time for a working mom is the first year of the baby's life. The adjustment is so profound, on so many levels. I was lucky, in that when my daughter was born, my employer allowed me to return to work at 50% but I went into the office every single day. I was able to pump just fine. We had a wonderful nanny who was home with her for the first 18 months. At that point, she was becoming extremely social and energetic, so we switched her into a center to get more education and socialization. Each stage brings with it some challenges, and others rewards. Working from home is great, but it won't be doable as baby gets bigger. Still, I don't have that flexibility in my current job (said daughter is now in 2nd grade) and I would LOVE to be have it on days like today (snow days). Hugs!

ErinO21 · January 2015

Pumping on the road is tough, but doable. I had to go back to work at 6 weeks so pumping was extremely important at that point still. You'll become a pro at spotting a secluded area, getting set up and all that. I tried to time my pumps so that I could pump during lunch on days that I was on the road. I also left for a few meetings about 30 minutes earlier than I normally would so I could stop and pump at some point in my drive (my clients are close to two hours away) if I knew the meeting would be a longer one.
Good luck going back!