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Motherhood Is My New Arena
by Jamie Thompson
June 15, 2016
A few months after I returned to work following my maternity leave, I ran into a fellow attorney who hadn’t seen me since before baby duty called. “You’re back in the game now,” she said, and I nodded, acknowledging that yes, I was indeed back in the hustle of daily commutes, phone calls, and crafting the most diplomatic emails to my colleagues.
I can certainly agree that maternity leave felt like a whole different universe compared to my previous work life, and even more so compared to the life I now lead as a working mom. However, the idea that I had left and then “came back” doesn’t quite capture my experience.
Like many mothers can attest, the person I was before my little one arrived vanished the moment the labor and delivery nurse announced the birth. I am unequivocally a different person now than the one who thought it was a brilliant idea to add a baby to the mix.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m still me. I still have many of the same aspirations, dreams, and cravings for Diet Pepsi. I still prioritize my workouts, enjoy goofy moments with my partner, and strive to be a competent attorney who delivers for my clients. The crucial difference now is that my tiny human, along with my partner, takes precedence over everything else.
In the world of motherhood, we adapt however necessary. Whether we decide to continue our careers post-baby, focus solely on parenting, or strike a balance between the two, we navigate our choices, making it work for our families. We work remotely, tweak our schedules to maximize family time, and negotiate for precious moments with our partners, ourselves, and our little ones.
We understand there will be sacrifices. We occasionally take a leave from work, then return. We might give up rock climbing or temporarily forgo sushi and wild-caught Alaskan halibut. Whatever the case, we make these decisions because we want the best for our children. We evolve into different individuals than we were pre-baby—and that’s perfectly fine.
It’s been a year since I returned to work after maternity leave, and during that time, I’ve worked from home a couple of days each week to cherish moments with my son. I’ve reshaped my office hours, stressed over deadlines, and worried about balancing it all. I know much of this is transitional. In a year, my partner and I will be in a position that may allow me to work part-time or even take a break altogether. Whatever path I choose will be mine, and I’m thankful to even have that option.
The decisions I make as a mom may differ from those I would have made in my pre-baby life. But just as I wouldn’t defer to my younger self on significant life matters, I won’t second-guess what my former self would do. I trust my new mom instincts to guide me correctly for my family and me. Honestly, I’m way more of a badass as a mom than I ever was before.
Before becoming pregnant, the thought of handling a trial while battling nausea or enduring a deposition with a baby pressing on my bladder seemed unthinkable. And that was merely the beginning—the first labor pain, the sleepless nights, and the countless changes that define motherhood.
Returning to work was a demonstration of emotional strength, as was learning to trust the caregivers I had to rely on. Being a mother is liberating. The love and concern I have for my son and our family easily overshadow any outside judgment or opinions about our life.
I’m more driven to succeed and create meaningful change. Time away from my son feels like a sacrifice, making it essential that each moment I spend working is worthwhile. I’ve become more efficient, accomplishing more with less, and getting straight to the point. I care deeply about my work, and I put in the effort.
The key difference now is that my son is literally my life’s work. Motherhood is my new arena, and everything else is just part of the journey.
If you’re interested in more insights about parenthood, you can check out this helpful resource on pregnancy and home insemination. For those looking to explore home insemination options, visit Make a Mom for expert advice. And for additional tips on navigating your journey, this article on intracervical insemination is a must-read.
Summary
Motherhood transforms us in ways we never expected, making us more resilient and focused. As we balance work and family, we adapt and prioritize our children, evolving into stronger versions of ourselves. The choices we make now reflect our dedication to our families, shaping our new identities as mothers.