As I prepare to head back to work on Monday (cue the tears), I find myself reflecting on some of the thoughts I’ve had recently. Here are a few burning questions that have crossed my mind:
- Would it be totally out of line to launch a GoFundMe or Kickstarter campaign to support my dream of being a stay-at-home mom? Do you think anyone would actually contribute?
- When does it become socially acceptable to pour a glass of wine during the workday? And can I justify sipping wine throughout the day while breastfeeding?
- How much productivity can I realistically expect while juggling a constantly nursing 2-month-old? Is it inappropriate to join a work video call with my little one attached to me?
- Is it completely fine to spend the day in pajamas without showering while managing a full-time job, caring for an infant, and shuttling my preschooler to school?
- Will getting only four hours of sleep at night suffice to keep me alert and focused through my workday, taking care of my baby, and handling school drop-offs and pick-ups?
- What are the chances of winning the lottery so I can just live comfortably without working?
- How crucial is it for me to own a home? Could I make it work if I sold everything and moved my family in with my parents to avoid mortgage costs and have more time at home with my kids?
- Is it totally crazy to consider selling all my possessions, quitting my job, and buying an RV to explore the country with my husband and children?
- Would it be absurd to sell everything, quit my job, and buy one-way tickets to Fiji to live there as a stay-at-home mom?
- Can I realistically downsize to a small, modest home and live simply with my husband and kids so that I can be a stay-at-home mom?
- Is it plausible to finish my book in just four days, get it to a publisher, and cash in on a big paycheck to avoid returning to work?
- And finally, the question that has me fuming: Why is the U.S. so behind when it comes to maternity leave policies for working mothers, providing us with so little time off? Seriously, what gives!?
This article was originally published on Aug. 9, 2021.
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In summary, as maternity leave comes to a close, many mothers find themselves grappling with tough questions about work-life balance, finances, and the desire for more time at home with their little ones.