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Choosing Child Care
Child care can mean care provided by a relative, care provided in your home by a nanny, or center-based care such as preschool. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, none of these options is inherently superior -- deciding which is right for your family depends on your values, needs, and budget. The Academy stresses that high-quality care can have a positive impact on your child's emotional and intellectual development.
Maureen Kenny, PhD, a professor of counseling at Florida International University, recommends scoping out child care options well before you plan to return to work. "Think in advance about your child care situation and make sure you have back up plans," says Kenny, who has 10-month-old triplets. She also suggests speaking to your employer about more flexible work hours. "Think outside of the box when planning your return. For example, I may teach one class on Saturday because this is a day my husband is not working."
But if your career is your top priority, Fortgang warns against pushing the boss for special arrangements. "Asking for less travel, not being flexible about morning or evening meetings, and even negotiating a four-day work week starts to telegraph a message that the job is not No. 1 anymore," she tells WebMD. "Some companies then put you on the 'mommy track' meaning they no longer look at you as someone on the frontlines. It is an unfortunate and deep part of our culture that needs to change."
Time Management
Whether your career or your family comes first, both stand to benefit if you can improve your time management skills. This includes becoming more efficient and productive on the job so you can get home on time, says Fortgang. "Be less of a worker bee and more of a queen bee: delegate, become choosier about how you spend your time. ... There is no longer the endless work day where you can stay late to catch up."
Fortgang says good time management also means guarding your personal time, whether it be a date with your spouse or a class at the gym. She and Shapiro agree that scheduling "down time" in your planner is a good start. Shapiro says walking, working out, reading, or doing anything that "relaxes and centers you" will help you avoid "running on fumes."
Ruano says parenthood has made her more careful with her time. She rarely works late anymore and instead tries to make the most of regular office hours. Her advice to soon-to-be working moms -- accept help from your spouse or other relatives, develop a routine that makes morning time simpler, and "don't feel guilty because you enjoy going to work. It will just make you that much of a better mom to your little one when you get home."
Published Aug. 1, 2005.
SOURCES: Dey Ruano, marketing database administrator; mother of a 10-month-old son. Laura Berman Fortgang, head, Life Blueprint Institute; author, Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction and Take Yourself to the Top: The Secrets of America's #1 Career Coach. Jerrold Lee Shapiro, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist; professor and chairman, department of counseling psychology, Santa Clara University; author, The Measure of a Man: Becoming the Father You Wish Your Father Had Been. American Academy of Pediatrics. Maureen Kenny, PhD, professor of counseling, Florida International University, Miami; mother of 10-month-old triplets.