Kids and career are going to be tough. While there are a lot of books on how to be a good * parent * there are fewer on how to maintain a career while doing it. To plan for it, I will definitely read some lessons from somebody that quit their job, sued their employer and has then researched and written a book on the best strategy for surviving family and the American business world. Learned a lot:
- ** Don’t take things for granted.**
- Know the pregnancy Policy, it will not be trivial. Also, Learn the policy in the second meeting with the manager, not the first time you announce you are pregnant. Ask about the details, Raises? Bonuses? How will these things be affected?
- Don’t apologize for being a parent.
- It’s non-obvious to your coworkers that you would want your job responsibilities back.
- Ask about where the pumping room is in advance.
- If your company doesn’t have a policy, you should contribute to the company by writing it.
- Keep work and personal separate (don’t talk about being a mom)
- ** Find allies. You’re not in it yourself. **
- Find a buddy in the organization (Note this was incredibly helpful for my wife, who is at a small company, and was advice that made the cost of admission for this book worth it.)
- Have a life sponsor, somebody who is a few years ahead
- ** Chill out. **
- ** Whether you fit into your jeans is not a measure of life success, or success as a parent. **
- At home: List out the responsibilities and split them.
- need to be relaxed to breastfeed
4.** Expect it to be hard **
- 50% experience some form of post partum depression
- 25% experience some form of workplace discrimination.
- Keep the things that recharge yourself.
- ** Have 6 backups for childcare. **
- Expect sleep deprivation, breast pumping sucks.