Not Everyone Cares About Your Baby (and that’s ok) - Learnings from Leave, pt 2

After writing about my maternity leave and sending around baby pictures to anyone who would put up with it, I recognized my message might not resonate as much with my colleagues and friends who don’t have kids as part of their plans or just don’t really care for 'em. This insight was another one that I’ve considered while reflecting upon how maternity leave has helped me grow as an employee. Read the room, Emily!??

That said, if you’re still up for following along the journey of “how maternity leave made me better at my job”, read on!

(New) lesson learned? Find your support group and leverage them. This is a skill I am constantly working on and let me tell you - parenthood has certainly reminded me that I have room for improvement at home and at the (home) office. When Avery was born, the loving offers for help came pouring in, yet I had no idea how to say “yes” to them. As an individual with a passion for hospitality, it felt incredibly counterintuitive to allow a friend into my home that was disorganized and chaotic - and to lean on them to help. No! I wanted to be the person they had come to know, with a charcuterie board waiting and a carefully curated soundtrack in the background. It took a lot of convincing and moments of discomfort to realize that when I was feeling super vulnerable and uncomfortable - THAT was the moment to welcome my people into my life.

Fast forward to being back at my office desk, frustrated that I can’t figure out a workflow, or how to use a new software - I feel embarrassed, and humbled. It’s not natural for me to ask for help - but I am getting so much better at it. There’s something very relieving about just owning up to not being able to do it solo and getting the best in the biz to lend a hand.

Having kick ass friends and gracious co-workers certainly makes this lesson a lot more palatable. Especially the ones who you KNOW are faking interest when you tell them about baby's first foray into pureed foods, (for those of you keeping tabs, it was butternut squash and it didn't go great but we're gonna give it another try tomorrow).