During my breast feeding class we went around the room and mommies shared how long they planned to take for their leave. All but one of us were first time moms. I sat and listened as people explained they'd be using their full FMLA leave (more power to them) and one who was lucky enough to be a teacher due in April who wouldn't have to return until the next school year Side Note: I am enviously hating her. Then there was me.
"I guess it depends on how I deliver, but I'll be taking 6-7 weeks for vaginal and 8-9 weeks for a C-Section" Sorry for the guys who read this who may have just winced at the word "vaginal." I still get bright red having to say that word in front of my male coworkers.
I felt like the whole room gasped and stopped breathing for a second. The lady leading the class looked mortified. I looked confused as anything. Was that the wrong answer? What the hell?! I thought this was supposed to be along the lines of an AA meeting - you know, a non-judgement zone.
I can tell you right now the looks increasingly became more concerned as I proceeded to mention that my sanity depended on returning back to work and that I would go crazy not having my schedule. Schedule is a word that, although you try and create with your infant, does not always go as planned (or so I am constantly reminded). Leaving work every day and feeling accomplished is a small little thing that goes a long way in my book. Recognized or not, just knowing I put in a solid 8+ hours to drive top line sales gets me more turned on than Maddy's Dad - yes, I just went there and yeah, that was actually a little dramatic. But I hope you understand what I'm saying here.
If you don't, it's that work is important to me. People keep asking me when I'm going to start my maternity leave as Maddy's due date gets closer and I just joke around that I'll be in labor taking a SEPTA train to the hospital; working up until the little lady's ready to make her debut. For the record, I will be mortified if my water breaks at work and that actually happens but it's funny to joke about it as long as the universe doesn't take it seriously.
I want to be able to juggle the hats of working woman and mom. I watched my mom (and dad) both work full-time to support my sisters and I. Being able to provide for my daughter and show her what work ethic is is one of the most valuable lessons I plan on teaching her. I'm lucky her dad is just as driven by hard-work as I am. It should terrify all other parents that we will have the most organized, dedicated future CEO of a company as our child ;)
Did I expect anyone to sympathize for me when I mentioned how long I planned to take to recover and adjust to motherhood? No way. I don't expect to give that to myself. I have nothing against stay at home mommies. In fact, I don't know how they do it. But now you have the perspective of a workaholic mommy who, as much as I will literally adore every tiny thing about my daughter, will absolutely need to return to work as soon as I can for some consistency and stability in my day-to-day!
Queen of the Post Its and To-Do Lists,
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