Back to work Check-In 5/1

[ellabee]

How long have you been back at work (or when are you returning)? 

How's it going?

What's working?

What's not, or what have you had to make adjustments on?

GTKY: Do you see yourself in this position long-term, or do you have other career goals?

[ellabee]

How long have you been back at work (or when are you returning)?
I've been back for a month now (like, what? how did that already happen?)

How's it going?
It's going pretty well. I fell back into the routine easier than I thought.

What's working?
Routine routine routine is key for me. When I get home I unpack everything from my day and DD/Bs day and put bottles/sippys/containers/pump parts in the dishwasher. I also prep lunches and bottles for the following day before I go to sleep. If I get lazy and miss something, it makes for a hectic morning the next day.

What's not, or what have you had to make adjustments on?
I told my manager that I'd like to work from home on Wednesdays. Having that mid-week day at home does SO much for me and my ability to also manage the household things. Laundry was not working. It would pile up and then I'd be out of bibs, or socks or pjs or whatever for the kids and it would make my life more difficult.

GTKY: Do you see yourself in this position long-term, or do you have other career goals?
I can see myself with this company for the long term. I'll probably stay in my career track for 1 more promotion before plateauing and I'm fine with that. I like the company and my ability to manage work/life balance.

[judyblume14]

This is my 4th week back.

It's going well, but really picking up speed.

The schedule and logistics are working out such that every day, provided I walk into the office on time, I have 1 hour to get stuff done before heading home to arrive at the same time as my husband and the girls. Usually, three days I'll go to the gym, one day will be grocery shopping, and one day I'll stay at work.

I'm doing a good job of keeping to a strict pumping schedule, but I have a hard time with the transition. Like, I'll lose my train of thought when I get up from my desk. So, it's messing a little bit with my productivity (but so does TCF so....)

I don't have huge career aspirations. I like my job, and like being a worker bee. No interest in becoming a manager. I know I provide value to my team, department and company. And I have a decent paycheck. I'm content, without settling.

[judyblume14]

ellabee, we have a similar after-work routine. But if time starts to get tight, the dishes can wait and we pick them up after bedtime.

I also have a standard work-from-home day now, too! The past two weeks were weird with doctor appts, but I'm excited to use my commute time this week to get a few chores done to free up weekend time!

[ellabee]

May 1, 2017 12:20:37 GMT -5 judyblume14 said:

I'm doing a good job of keeping to a strict pumping schedule, but I have a hard time with the transition. Like, I'll lose my train of thought when I get up from my desk. 

This is me too. I feel like as soon as I get really going on a task it's time to stop and pump. 

[peaseblossom55]

May 1, 2017 13:22:27 GMT -5 ellabee said:

May 1, 2017 12:20:37 GMT -5 judyblume14 said:

I'm doing a good job of keeping to a strict pumping schedule, but I have a hard time with the transition. Like, I'll lose my train of thought when I get up from my desk. 

This is me too. I feel like as soon as I get really going on a task it's time to stop and pump. 

Me too. I wish I had an office so I could just lock the door and pump.

[peaseblossom55]

How long have you been back at work (or when are you returning)? It will be a month at the end of this week.

How's it going? I feel like I've adjusted better than I expected.

What's working? I am leaving on time every morning. I get mostly everything together at night which is a huge help. I pump mostly close to my set schedule.

What's not, or what have you had to make adjustments on? No adjustments really, I wish I could work 8-4 versus 9-5 but I don't think my boss would go for it. I just hate that E is a morning girl, all happy and smiley in the morning & by the time I get home she is quite fussy and tired. I've tried having the nanny/MIL make adjustment and it's really hit or miss.

GTKY: Do you see yourself in this position long-term, or do you have other career goals? I really don't know, things change so much here. If I could maybe get one more promotion and get to become a VP I'd be more apt to stick around long term.

[ellabee]

I feel like this is relevant. I was telling a coworker that I was stressed about a presentation I made and she told me she literally had no clue that I was an anxious person. She said she thought I was always so calm and put together. I took it as a big compliment, but I seriously feel like I embody this quote, both at work and in my personal life:

[judyblume14]

May 1, 2017 13:59:39 GMT -5 ellabee said:

I feel like this is relevant. I was telling a coworker that I was stressed about a presentation I made and she told me she literally had no clue that I was an anxious person. She said she thought I was always so calm and put together. I took it as a big compliment, but I seriously feel like I embody this quote, both at work and in my personal life:

#icanrelate

[pibblemom]

How long have you been back at work (or when are you returning?)

8 weeks already 😳

How's it going?

I need a vacation already. It's very stressful going from working 7 days to 5, and my 3 weekdays are only about 5 hours long. It used to be me and another employee working 30-40 weekday hours and since I had to fire her it's just me squeezing the same work into 15 hours. At the same time I adore having my 2 days off.

What's working? Pumping is very surprisingly working for me. I expected my supply to tank, and while I don't pump as much as she eats during my workdays, I am able to pump enough at night and early mornings that we haven't had to go into the freezer and I've been able to add a bit to my frozen "stash"

What's not, or what have you had to make adjustments on?

I told the manager under me that I may need to take Friday nights off. It was so stressful for me to get home after midnight, then get up with C at 330 and again at 7 this weekend. I'm just going to have to make some provisions and move employees around but it's doable.

GTKY: Do you see yourself in this position long-term, or do you have other career goals?

This is my company and I am running my 57 year old family business. I have no siblings and none of my cousins are interested so im it. Sometimes I wish I could go get a normal 9-5, other times I'm very content at the flexibility; I just wish the stress didn't come with it.

[rinny]

Hi!

How long have you been back at work (or when are you returning)? About a week and a half

How's it going? Meh. I'm having a hard time adjusting. 0 motivation. I had a lot of hard feelings last night because L passed out at 6 (approx 15 min after I got home)

What's working? Umm we are getting out the door just fine and seem to have a good morning routine down. Pumping is going great.

What's not, or what have you had to make adjustments on? Evenings are hard. I'm trying to rush out the door as much as I can, but I still feel like I have no time with my kids before they go to bed.

GTKY: Do you see yourself in this position long-term, or do you have other career goals? Ugh, my boss actually just told me that I need to start thinking about what my next steps are career wise. I could do my current role for quite a few more years probably, but I have a lot of options if I want to explore something else. Not a bad problem to have, but I'm having a hard time thinking about it right now.

[thelittleredm]

How long have you been back at work (or when are you returning)?
Returned 4/12 so it's been almost a month.

How's it going?
Like I never left. Which is a blessing as far as getting back into things. But also a curse because I feel like I never had a break.

What's working?
Everything except pumping, apparently.


What's not, or what have you had to make adjustments on?
Pumping. It sucks. It makes my boobs suck. I never get to do it at consistent times which I'm sure doesn't help.

GTKY: Do you see yourself in this position long-term, or do you have other career goals?
HAHAHAHAHAHA NO. I plan on leaving as soon as I get a better job offer someplace else.