Sydney mum's raw post about returning to work after maternity leave: 'The most humbling experience of my life'
By Merryn Porter |
A?s any new mum will tell you, maternity leave it not a holiday. And returning to work after having a baby is no walk in the park either.
Now a Sydney mum's raw post has gone viral after she shared the reality of being a working mum, and admits she used to resent women just like her.
Chloe O'Toole is the head of marketing จC APAC at IT recruitment agency Talent. But her first week back at work after maternity leave was anything but smooth, judging from her heartfelt post on LinkedIn, which was accompanied by an image of her holding her baby girl.
READ MORE: At only seven, Charlie's already had more than 100 stints in hospital
"This photo was taken at Sydney Children's Hospital at 10pm on my first week back after parental leave," she began. "I'm still in my work clothes and my eyes are puffy from crying.
"This was the first of seven separate illnesses we have dealt with in just 11 weeks. Yep, that's daycare for you.
"Why am I sharing this? Because I can't imagine how much harder this would be if I wasn't in a supportive work environment. I have a deeply understanding boss, a beautiful and caring team, and a hugely supportive leadership team."
O'Toole went on to say that "being a working parent is the most humbling experience of my life," and admitted she was not always understanding of working mothers.
READ MORE: Matty J owns up to his biggest blunders as a first-time dad
"Before I had Poppy, I'm ashamed to say I wasn't particularly empathetic to the parents (let's be honest, mums) I worked with," she said.
"When they raced out the door at 4.30, I felt a bit annoyed. Why did I have to stay later when they got to leave?
"I had no clue that from the moment they left, they were simply starting their shift at another, more gruelling (unpaid) job.
"I didn't think about the fact that when they went to bed that night, there was no guarantee of sleep. Or that they would have an entire day before they even arrived at the office.
"I didn't think about how desperately they just wanted to be at work, sickness-free, putting their minds to use and making an impact.
"And I certainly did not think about the seventh circle of hell that is caring for a sick child while having gastro yourself and then having to work the next day. A form of torture I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."
She said having to deal "with all of that in an unsupportive work environment, as so many parents do, is something I can't imagine."
"Many companies talk about flexibility and have flashy parental leave policies, but what really matters is what happens when you get back," she said.
"While the daycare bugs will soon be a distant memory (I hope!), the support and understanding I have been shown at work is something I will remember for a long time."?
The post has so far received almost 6000 likes and hundreds of comments. It has also been shared hundreds of times, with executive director of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, among her fans.
"I doubt there's a working parent out there who won't relate จC with visceral angst จC to Chloe O'Toole's post about the reality of returning to work after having a baby," Dent wrote.
"At work we're so used to being "professional" (aka neat and organised and in charge of our diaries)... and becoming a parent changes that instantly.
"Suddenly, nothing is neat and you're (rarely) truly 'in charge'. You're just holding on for dear life and doing your best.
"Raising little people is messy and relentless and the exact opposite to what so many of us are used to in a work context.
"Having a supportive, truly flexible manager who you can trust is often the difference between being able to work after becoming a parent and not.
"The only reason I was able to make my career work with my caring responsibilities with little babies and toddlers was because I had a boss who got it and offered me trust and flexibility.
"[That] is part of the reason that at The Parenthood we're so passionate about changing the policy settings จC as well as culture จC so that our systems support families."
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here. ?
