I was sitting in an important client meeting, an hour away from home, when I got the call. My daughter’s daycare center’s number was on my phone’s screen. They were calling to ask she be picked up immediately because a cough she had developed over the previous 24 hours had gotten worse, and her breathing was labored. The daycare was in the middle of an RSV outbreak, so they wanted to be safe rather than sorry. As a new, first-time mom, my initial instinct was to panic. I didn’t want to be inappropriate or rude by excusing myself mid-meeting with a client. At the same time, my heart was in knots with worry about my 11-month-old daughter, Margaret.
When I walked back into the conference room after taking the call, my colleague could tell something was wrong. He kindly asked, “Are you OK?” giving me an easy out to what I feared would be an awkward situation. Our wonderful clients were so gracious and understanding. I knew I needed to give my boss a call to explain what was happening.
Unfortunately, I know what it’s like to encounter a not-so-understanding supervisor during a family emergency, so it was easy for the panic to creep back in and bubble to the surface.
“Would my boss think I wasn’t putting our clients first? Would she be disappointed in how I handled the situation?”
I called her on the way out the door to my car, and after quickly explaining what happened, she replied without a moment of hesitation, “Don’t apologize! You’re doing the right thing. Don’t panic. You do what you need to do, and we’ll take it from here.” Relief immediately swept over me, and I had the realization, as I did in similar scenarios over the last 12 months, that I am so very grateful to be employed by someone who understands, supports, and embraces me as a new, working mom.
As Margaret’s first birthday approaches, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind that has been the past year.
I returned to work three months after Margaret was born during one of our agency’s busiest seasons. The challenges seemed insurmountable at times – juggling client deadlines while pumping between meetings, managing team projects while running on minimal sleep, and learning to navigate the constant shuffling of priorities that comes with being a working parent. Yet here I am, not just surviving but thriving, thanks largely to the incredible support system at The Harbinger Group.
What Makes a Supportive Workplace Culture for Mothers
Creating a supportive workplace for mothers goes beyond just talking about work-life balance. From the special send-off I received on the eve of Margaret’s due date to the flowers and gifts sent to the delivery room, my colleagues and THG’s clients have shown me what true workplace support looks like. It wasn’t just the special spa day my boss treated me to or the staff baby shower a client included me in – though those meant the world to me. It was the small moments, too – a colleague stepping in to cover a meeting when Margaret had her first ear infection, clients checking in and asking how I was doing on “the front lines of parenthood,” and my boss consistently prioritizing my family’s needs alongside our professional objectives.
The path hasn’t been without its challenges. There have been days when I’ve felt pulled in every direction, questioning whether I could continue to meet the high standards I set for myself both as a professional and as a mother. But these moments have taught me something valuable. Strength isn’t about doing it all perfectly. It’s about being resilient enough to keep going, even when things get messy.
First-Year Working Parent Tips: Finding Your Village
As I write this from home, watching my sick little one finally napping after a rough morning with RSV, I’m struck by how much we’ve both grown. Margaret has quickly gone from a cooing, babbling little sack of sugar to an almost-toddler who loves to rummage through any cabinet or clean basket of laundry she can get her mini hands on. As for me, a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed I could handle a promotion, manage major client projects, and be present for my daughter and my family. Yet here I am, doing just that – not because I’m superhuman, but because I have a workplace that understands that being a good mother makes me a better professional, not a lesser one.
To those navigating their own transition back to work after becoming parents, know that finding the right workplace culture isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential. When employers truly support working parents, everyone benefits – the company, the clients, and most importantly, the families who no longer have to choose between being present for their children and pursuing their professional aspirations.
As I prepare for Margaret’s first birthday celebration this month, I’m filled with gratitude – not just for my beautiful daughter, but for the village that helped lift me up and taught me how to be the working mother I am today. Growth never feels easy and almost always feels uncomfortable. But I can confidently say finding your footing on the messy, beautiful path of working parenthood is most definitely worthwhile.