Maternity leave is a hot button topic these days, but thankfully, for the birth of both of my children I’ve been able to take fourteen weeks off work. The first time around I enjoyed my time away from work, and I especially enjoyed bonding with my sweet baby girl. But I also really dreaded going back to work. I felt an overwhelming amount of fear and anxiety as we inched closer to the day I had to return. I hadn’t been away from my daughter for more than a couple of hours, and the idea of being away from her for 9-10 hours for 5 days a week haunted me, literally. I had trouble sleeping the last month of my time off because I agonized over it so much. I spent my nights tossing and turning with worry and my days complaining about going back to work and even blaming my husband for being the reason I’d have to. Mature, I know, insert eyeroll emoji here. {It definitely isn’t his fault that I’m not staying at home. It’s a choice we’ve made together and one that he has supported me in 100%.} The emotional roller coaster I was on wasn’t healthy for me or my family, and I’m so glad that I don’t have to go through that this time around.
This time around I’m enjoying my maternity leave so much more because I know exactly what to expect when it’s time for me to go back to work and that going back to work isn’t the end of the world. Some days it’s really tough {remember Chelsea’s post Dear Working Mommy-To-Be?}, but overall it’s been great for me, my husband. and our girls {or replace with our family}.
This time around I know that I’ll miss my sweet Evelyn, but that she’ll be back in my arms before either of us really know it. I know that she’ll enjoy the interaction of other babies at her school and will be loved on by some amazing women that loved on Amelia when she was her age. I know that she’ll be there with her big sister and from now until Amelia goes to kindergarten. I know that she will learn SO much during her time at school and that she will make crafts, eat snacks, and take as many naps as she likes. I know that her teachers will monitor her behavior and call me the second they think something is off. I know that we will never have to hunt for a babysitter because the teachers at her school are already lined up for the chance to watch her.
I also know that I will continue to succeed at work and reach goals that I’ve always had for myself. I hope to set an example for my daughters and show them that they really can achieve anything they want to in life. I hope watching me become successful will empower them to make the best decisions for themselves and their families as they grow older and start reaching for their own dreams and aspirations.
Knowing all of this gives me so much comfort and makes my time at home this time around so much more special. I’m taking in every day with both of my girls and enjoying all the craziness of having a toddler and a newborn. Do you agree veteran working moms? Did you enjoy your maternity leave more with your second child or did you have a completely different experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below too!
