update: can I take care of my baby during the workday if my job is undemanding?

Remember the letter-writer wondering if she could take care of her baby during the workday since her job was undemanding? Here’s the update.

Your response gave me a lot to think about, and ultimately I realized that I was completely bored by my job and needed something with more challenge and growth potential. I decided to take a transfer to a more high powered team. It was a lateral move with no pay increase and more work, but a ton of skill building and potential for growth into other higher paying cross-disciplinary teams. I took the transfer about halfway through my pregnancy so I was able to onboard and finish my training before maternity leave. Infant care spots are incredible few and expensive here, so I took a short leave and negotiated a part-time, completely flexible work schedule for when I came back from leave so I could be at home with my baby for the first year.

Professionally this has been the right move for me, and I did fine — some recognition, a few high visibility projects, and good performance reviews. Now two years out, I’m really happy with my decision and love my team and the work I’m doing.

Personally that first year was rough — I was always working or taking care of my baby (something the comments warned me about!) and the stress combined with the isolation of mothering a newborn took a toll on my mental health. I’m glad I I did it — I didn’t have great options for infant care, and we made the best of a tough spot. But if I had to do it again, I would try and prioritize my rest. I also realized that the reason I had been able to do my job efficiently was because I had been relying on my memory and executive functioning at work, and new motherhood and lack of sleep made those disappear overnight. That first year was definitely a lesson in grace and lowering expectations.

Thanks for all your advice and the advice of your commenters!

The post update: can I take care of my baby during the workday if my job is undemanding? appeared first on Ask a Manager.

View the full article