Being a new mom -- and hello!
I love being a mom.
Being all at once a mom, wife, journalist, daughter, sister, friend … is another story.
I just returned to work a few weeks ago after having my first child, a boy, in December. And I’m finding the adjustment overwhelming.
As a former workplace reporter here, I’ve written many stories about work-life issues, working moms and dads and finding balance. I’m sure as some of you can attest, you really don’t know how hard it can be to find “balance” once you’re actually living this life.
So far my experience as a first-time mom has been less balance and more of a juggle. I feel as though every part of my life is getting shortchanged.
When my former editor asked me to take over this blog for the talented Kate Shatzkin, I wondered whether I would be adding more work to my growing things-to-do-list.
But when I thought about the conversations we could have about being a mom and a parent, I got excited. Plus, I could use all the tips and advice I could get from moms and dads out there.
So, let’s begin.
Comments
Welcome! :-)
Posted by: Momof2 | June 21, 2010 9:33 AM
Welcome Hanah- looking forward to hearing from you on the working mom struggle- I am right there with you!
Posted by: sdr | June 21, 2010 9:49 AM
Welcome!
Posted by: CKisMom | June 21, 2010 11:55 AM
Welcome Hanah - looking forward to your blog perspectives!
Posted by: Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz | June 21, 2010 11:55 AM
You'll be great, Hanah. Many thanks for taking on Charm City Moms!
Posted by: Kate Shatzkin | June 21, 2010 8:15 PM
Hanah, there's no such thing as a work-life balance. The scale always tilts towards work. An employer may say the company values it, but I have yet to find one who means it. I have been a mom for 20 years, and find that your description of work-life juggling is quite on-target!
HC//I hear you, NurseMom. To me, balance implies equal distribution of our time for all our roles. I am finding that the scale tilts toward work.
Posted by: NurseMom | June 21, 2010 9:34 PM
Welcome, Hanah.
If you were able to take off 6 months after the birth of your son you are already a very fortunate new mother! With my last child it was more like 6 weeks. On the other hand, I went back to work half-time, which made it all much easier. The downside of that arrangement was half pay.
HC//You're right, I was lucky to be have been able to take that time off. Fortunately, the company gave me eight week of paid leave (b/c of a c-section) plus I used all my vacation to get paid for half that time; and we had savings to cover the remaining three months.
I've always wondered about working half time, though, b/c I bet you end up working 40 hours.
Posted by: Dahlink | June 21, 2010 9:53 PM