To The Working Mom

I am blessed to stay home with my son while my Husband provides for our family. I don't have to work, but I love work. I was a first generation college graduate, and I was so eager to start a career and use my degree. I began teaching and working with families right out of the gate. Then only mere months into my dream job I found out we were finally expecting. I was overjoyed, but had an unexplainable panicky feeling about what this meant for my career. I worked until hours before I gave birth. Then I went on maternity leave.

I fell so in love. Like nothing you can even fully explain to someone who hasn't become a parent. I was thankful for the leave, and in a turn of events, began to have days where I panicked about going back to my career. I felt that I could only have one or the other. My career, or my bond with my child. I spent hours searching Google for something that would give me peace about leaving this creature that had completely stolen my heart. All I found was that there is a war between working moms and stay at home moms. So this is what I want to tell you.

You are fierce and can do it all. You can be the most incredible mother while continuing your career. Both give you a purpose; it doesn't mean one is less important to you than the other. You are not choosing work over your baby. You are choosing to be strong and do it all.

Your baby will not forget you. I was terrified my baby wouldn't feel our bond anymore after I left him for 8 hours a day. Your baby will cry tears of joy to see you. They will remember you and want only you. You will still be what calms them and comforts them.

You are not selfish. In fact you will have to be incredibly selfless. Every second of your time is spent nurturing your baby, or depending on your line of work, helping others. You will be drained more than you ever have been.

Hold your baby. People will tell you not to hold your baby all the time. You are away and missing the rapid changes of the first year. So be present when you are present. Hold that baby like it's a Kate Spade bag you will win if you're the last one holding it. Soak every moment in. Study their face, and features because tomorrow they will have changed.

Learn to say NO. Say no to the extra hours, and say no to that girls night. Maybe not every time, but sometimes. Spend your time enjoying the new family you created and don't feel guilty for thinking there is nowhere else you'd rather be…even if that other place is wine tasting at the new chic tasting room in town. You won't regret staying in I promise.

Invest in a good Breast Pump. This is huge ladies. Insurance covers a basic pump, but it is well worth the extra $100 to get a top of the line hands free double pump. You won't have to be plugged into the wall and once you are settled, you can carry on with your work…well unless your work involves being with people. But I'm pretty certain it is fair game to cover up and pump in the office. I love this one. A good pump and regular pumping will save you from mastitis, ain't nobody got time for that.

It is okay to take a break. Any human being worth your respect or time will understand if you decide to stay home with your baby. They will admire you for wanting to be the best possible mom, even if that now means they have a position to fill. Taking a break does not mean giving up your career or identity as a strong and driven woman. If your career is truly your passion, it will creep its way back into your life, give it time.

Most importantly, to all the moms working or not, you are doing good. You are sustaining your baby and no matter where you spend your time, at the end of the day you are your babies everything.

So cheers and carry on.

#maternalmonday #LIFE #Family