Celebrating 9 Years of Motherhood: A Journey of Joy, Challenges, and Growth ??

Recently, I celebrated nine years of motherhood. While I didn’t think much of it in the early years, today I realize that being a mom is one of the most rewarding, yet demanding, roles life can offer. It’s a beautiful journey, but it comes with challenges—some expected, others surprising.

I clearly remember going back to work when my little one was just 2.5 months old. The first day back was hard. I cried on my way to the office that morning, and my heart raced all day, counting down the minutes until I could rush back home.

The Reality of Returning to Work

I politely asked for a mother’s room to pump milk but was handed the keys to a storage room. It felt like such a small thing to ask, yet the reality of the workplace didn’t match my expectations. Thankfully, I had some incredible colleagues who made a difference in those early days—bringing me healthy snacks and cheering me up when I needed it the most. Those small gestures helped me settle in and slowly get my groove back.

But life wasn’t smooth sailing from there. Just a few months later, I joined a fast-growing startup. While it was an exciting opportunity, it also turned my world upside down. I was raising this beautiful little human while managing a demanding role—and honestly, I often didn’t know if I was coming or going.

Navigating Judgment and Finding Strength

On top of it all, the judgment started rolling in. Some women mocked me for not “losing the baby weight” fast enough, while others raised eyebrows at my need to leave work promptly to be with my child. They had no idea what I was juggling, yet their unsolicited opinions added to the mental load I was already carrying.

Meanwhile, I was helping others solve problems at work, ensuring people felt at “home” in the office, all while trying to find my footing as a new mom. The weight of balancing it all—career, motherhood, and personal well-being—was overwhelming at times.

Where Am I Going with This?

If you’re reading this and know a new mom at work, be kind ??. Offer support. If you don’t have anything nice to say, it’s okay—just say nothing. You have no idea what she’s going through, and a little kindness can go a long way.

How You Can Help New Moms at Work

If you want to make a positive impact, here are a few practical ways you can support new moms in the workplace:

1. Create a mother-friendly environment: Provide clean and private rooms for nursing or pumping, not a storage closet.
2. Offer flexible / remote Working: Give moms the option to work remotely or with flexible hours. A little flexibility can make a huge difference.
3. Be understanding about time: Don’t count hours—focus on outcomes. New moms are often functioning on minimal sleep and juggling multiple responsibilities.
4. Provide a parking spot closer to the office (small win!): If possible, assign them parking spaces closer to the office. Small conveniences can greatly ease their day.
5. No judgment (Please!): Instead of commenting on appearance or work habits, offer words of encouragement.
6. Respect boundaries: Understand that some moms may need to leave on time to care for their little ones—respect that without judgment.
7. Ask how you can help: Sometimes, just asking, “How can I support you?” means the world.

A Message to New Moms ??

If you’re a new mom reading this, I want you to know: You’re doing an incredible job. It’s okay if you feel overwhelmed; you don’t have to have it all figured out. Take things one day at a time, and remember that you’re not alone. There are people rooting for you, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

Nine years into this journey, I can confidently say that while motherhood is not easy, it’s worth every moment. And to those of you working alongside new moms, let's create a workplace where they feel supported and seen.

Because at the end of the day, kindness, understanding, and support can make all the difference ??.