Until six months ago, I didn’t fully grasp the challenges faced by parents who return to work after welcoming a child. As a new mom with my son often in my arms, I find myself juggling spreadsheets and responding to emails for two different companies.
My journey into working for two companies was unexpected. When I was five months pregnant, the pandemic hit the U.S., prompting discussions with my partner, Alex, about what life would look like post-baby. We had hoped I would take a year off to bond with our little one and avoid daycare costs. But as the pandemic unfolded, I realized I was fortunate to have a job as a Senior Marketing Manager for a tech firm and couldn’t risk our financial stability by stepping away.
Alex works as a pilot, and his industry was severely impacted. He opted for unpaid leave to prevent being furloughed, which made me the primary breadwinner as a new mom.
During my maternity leave, my former boss offered me a role in leading communications at her new company. I was excited, as it provided an opportunity to diversify my experience during a time when jobs were hard to come by. I accepted, while still remaining with my current employer.
With Alex on unpaid leave, I felt hesitant to leave my salaried position for a contractor role that lacked consistency. I decided to maintain both jobs while caring for our lively baby. Until Alex can return to flying, I’ll be working hard and trying to manage everything without going gray.
Day-to-Day Challenges
Day-to-day life has its challenges. Our social distancing practices mean we’ve refrained from hiring help, so Alex has taken on the role of stay-at-home dad for the time being. We feel lucky to share parenting responsibilities, especially during this critical first year of our son’s growth.
There’s another layer to our situation: Alex suffers from chronic pain. It can flare up unpredictably, which means I often need to step in to ensure our son has a stable environment. So here I am, navigating the chaos of a pandemic, balancing work, motherhood, and the household.
From a distance, it looks like I have everything under control. Dishes are done, laundry is folded, and the living room is neat most of the time. When talking to my teams, they often assume I have help, and I don’t correct them. Despite working for a company that values diversity and inclusion, I sometimes hesitate to share that it’s just me and Alex managing everything while caring for our baby.
In those moments when I’m in a virtual meeting while feeding my son or bouncing him on my lap to finish work tasks, I remind myself that I’m doing the best I can. After work, I prioritize one-on-one time with my child before preparing dinner, and once he’s asleep, I return online to tackle unfinished tasks.
The Rewards of Parenting
Parenting is tiring but incredibly rewarding. To all the mothers out there, whether single, partnered, or married, know you are not alone. Some days are tough and chaotic, but even amidst the noise, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.
For those curious about managing similar situations, I recommend taking a breath and remembering that doing your best is enough.
Additional Resources
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Summary:
This article shares the journey of a new mom who unexpectedly became the primary earner after the birth of her child, navigating the complexities of work-life balance, parenting, and a partner’s chronic condition during a pandemic. It emphasizes the importance of adapting plans and finding support while managing the chaos of family life.