Returning to Work: Take Two

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I had my second son this past summer, and my second chance to  return to work from maternity leave. This time around I knew what to expect which made it a little easier for sure. I also have learned to embrace life as a working mom of two with open arms…my emotions are all over the place, but what mom doesn’t feel like she’s on an emotional roller coaster?

Mom Rollarcoaster
Mom Roller Coaster

I am happy. Hooray for daily showers and makeup! Also, I can choose outfits without considering whether the outfit is convenient for nursing! I get to revive the parts of my brain that have started to atrophy! There will be two car rides each day when I will be in the car ALONE and can listen to anything I want on the radio without worrying about appropriate language or actually pretending to listen to my older son. (Come on you know you tune your kids out too after a while.) I can even run into Trader Joe’s by myself or – gasp – grab a Starbucks! Winning!

I am sad. I have so enjoyed being home with my kids. I’ll miss being home with them during the day, going on daily walks, preschool drop-off/pickup, lounging around in workout clothes and sneakers, and most importantly watching TV without falling asleep. In general, I’ll miss how I can just focus on being a mom. Now life is about to be driven by prepping snacks the night before, meal planning on Sunday and trying to correct my students work while at work so I can focus on my kids when I’m home….oh yeah and trying to find time for myself and hubby.

I am annoyed. I am annoyed that I didn’t get into shape the way I thought I would while on maternity leave. I’m annoyed that the laundry and grocery shopping doesn’t magically get done by fairies at night (or any of the cleaning for that matter)! Basically I’m annoyed that there aren’t 30 hours in a day to get everything done.

Though they exhaust me, I wouldn't trade mom life for anything.
Though they exhaust me, I wouldn’t trade mom life for anything.

I feel grateful. As a teacher, having a baby in the summer worked out great. My maternity leave didn’t start until September and my school is very generous with the time. I didn’t use all of it because I honestly couldn’t afford to, but also I love my job and the people with whom I work. I’m also grateful to my mom and in-laws (mother, father AND brother). Without their support I would never be able to do all I do. They help with driving, watching the boys, and they are actually (in full disclosure) my grocery/cleaning/laundry fairies. I’m also grateful to my husband who deals with my crazy moods and extreme exhaustion. If only I could teach him to cook….

How did you feel once you got back into the groove of work after your maternity leave?

 

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Maria Sette
Maria is a full-time mom, teacher, wife, daughter, and sister, who feels pulled in too many directions! Her older son Michael took over 24 hours to be born, and at six-months-old was diagnosed with allergies to dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, shrimp, and wheat…all after exclusively nursing because she was SO SURE that would help him be a healthy kid. Luckily at age 1, he began to outgrow some of his allergies. Fingers crossed the others will soon follow because that plus a husband who doesn’t eat any veggies and Maria always battling her weight makes for three meals to prepare every night. Luckily, Christopher, her younger son, is a cooperative eater! As someone who has always been committed to making positive change, Maria uses her privilege and position as an educator and mom to work toward a most anti-racisit, equitibile, and inclusive world. Recently, Maria has even started getting up at 5am to workout in her basement. (Thank you pandemic living!) She is addicted to reading chicklit on her Kindle app in the dark, most Trader Joe’s products, and watching TikToks.

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