From Diapers to Desks: The Journey Back to Work After Parental Leave

Ten months into motherhood – the most challenging yet magical journey I’ve ever been on. When people ask me what motherhood is like, I always say, “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever loved.”

It’s a delicate dance of both joy and trials, of both growth and letting go. From the first few days spent in the hospital physically recovering from child birth to the first nerve-wracking car ride home, you're questioning if the doctor should have really let you leave with the baby by yourself. (kidding!)

The first few weeks are a blur. You’re in a phase of both bliss and gratitude, accompanied by exhaustion, emotion, and restlessness. You feel invincible as you navigate sleepless nights and endless diaper changes, but despite the superhero cape, you think to yourself, “Am I doing this whole mom thing (or dad thing) right?”

And then the most gut-wrenching feeling kicks in: Can you balance both being a caregiver and a career professional?

Fast forward to returning to work after 12 weeks of parental leave – it's both foreign and familiar. Juggling sleepless nights with pending Slack messages clamoring for your attention feels like driving in two lanes at once. On one end, you're struggling to keep this tiny human afloat, and on the other, you’re trying to keep yourself afloat (I’ve seriously questioned whether I remembered to brush my teeth or not!).

There is intense anxiety leading up to your days going back to work, as well as a huge sense of disconnect as you must now straddle two completely different worlds.

You’re trading the comfort of PJs and baby snuggles for the hustle and bustle of work. You’re most likely going through an identity crisis, your shower routine is a little... off... and your postpartum hairs are having their own little party.

Oh, and the breastfeeding journey! (We made it almost 10 months by the grace of God). While it is a labor of love and such a privilege, traveling for work becomes an adventure in itself trying to sneak in pumping sessions while overnighting $400 worth of breastmilk to your significant other in hopes of it arriving in time for the baby's next feed (shoutout to dbt Labs for creating a safe and comfortable experience for me and covering all costs for this!)

Then there's the mom & dad guilt. You feel guilty about working, and you feel guilty about not working. You feel guilty for having no time for yourself, and feel guilty when you do take time for yourself. It’s the most contradictory feeling one can experience. But amid the guilt, there's excitement – the thrill of reigniting professional passions and rediscovering yourself beyond parenthood. In the chaos, there is a realization that you're capable of more than you ever imagined, and you learn to embrace the magical & messy moments.

To all of the working moms and dads – you are absolutely crushing this thing. Being parents is undoubtedly the most magical feeling in the entire world, but wow – it can be hard. You get 2 hours in the morning, and 2 hours at night in between the workday – juggling dinner, homework, baths, and bedtime.

All while trying to catch a break for yourself.

I hope this is a reminder to know that every sacrifice we all make as working parents is made in the name of providing a better future for our family. Amidst the uncertainty, there's a quiet strength that emerges – a resilience born from the profound love of motherhood and fatherhood, guiding you through the highs and lows of this new chapter in your life.

Oh and lastly, I could not have asked for a better experience going back to work than what my team at dbt Labs provided to me. Despite having a laundry list of to-do’s, they welcomed me back with slow and steady arms, allowing me time to settle back in and set my boundaries that support this new work version of myself.

I am genuinely proud of the company I work for – we champion the ability for parents to place family at the forefront when necessary which fosters a positive and motivated work environment (there’s a reason we’re ranked Best Places to Work for Parents!) We are able to show up as our best selves because we’re given the opportunity to pour into our own cup first before filling up everyone else’s. So thank you dbt Labs for leading by example and creating a safe space– the praise is high.

Thank you for allowing me to open up and share my journey with you. It is my hope that by doing so, we can foster a community of understanding and compassion for working parents.

With love and gratitude,

Liliya