How Working Moms Can Redefine Work-Life Balance

Source: https://www.forbes.com/

A survey highlighted that many women find maternity leave less enjoyable than expected, with 27% not enjoying it as much as they thought, 47% feeling lonely, 40% missing work, and 20% wishing they had returned earlier.

Neha Kumar, co-founder and COO of Full Glass Wine, shared her own challenging experience, where she worked through early labor and returned to work just days after giving birth. While she doesn’t recommend this for others, she has no regrets, seeing it as a victorious personal achievement. Kumar is sharing her story to normalize the struggles women face, such as dealing with miscarriage or postpartum depression, and to reduce the biases working mothers face, like the “motherhood penalty,” where mothers are often seen as less competent or committed to their careers.

In December 2020, Neha Kumar, CFO and COO of Create & Cultivate, discovered she was in early labor during a critical acquisition call. Despite being in labor, she continued the call while sitting on the floor to stay focused. Her daughter was born on December 24th, and Kumar returned to work the following Monday, continuing to work remotely and managing calls while nursing her baby.

Even her close colleagues were unaware she had given birth for eight days. The acquisition deal was finalized in March 2021 for $23 million. Kumar’s experience highlights the challenges faced by working mothers, with many feeling they can’t give 100% at work but still believing working is beneficial for them.

Neha Kumar faced challenges balancing her career and motherhood, especially when she joined Create & Cultivate just 7 weeks after having her first child. Despite some people questioning her decision, she realized the societal expectation was for mothers to prioritize their children over their careers.

For Kumar, returning to work helped her recover from postpartum depression, as it gave her a sense of purpose and helped her be a better mother. Now, as a mother of two and co-founder of Full Glass Wine, Kumar emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks, outsourcing help, and finding a balance between career and family. She advises women to build a strong support system and assures them that the struggles of balancing motherhood and career are temporary. Most importantly, she encourages women to hold onto their ambitions and not lose their sense of self.

Read More: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/how-working-moms-can-redefine-work-life-balance/

Image Source: https://www.forbes.com/