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This dress has a lot of good reviews and just looks like a really nice maternity style. It comes in XS-XXL, although sizes are selling out quickly, and it’s machine washable. The dress is only $14.99 at Old Navy in red, a navy blue print, black, pink, and the pictured teal. Maternity Boat-Neck Side-Twist Dress Here’s a plus-size option. (L-all) Building a maternity wardrobe for work? Check out our page with more suggestions along both classic and trendy/seasonal lines.Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
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- Zappos – 29,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
Cb says
Pregnancy achievement unlocked: Someone left cheese or meat or something vile in the bin in the office kitchen over the weekend. Cleaners took it out this am but the smell lingered. I walked in to make a cup of tea this morning and was promptly sick. When my boss got here a few hours later, I looked at her and said “There is a smell…in the kitchen….and I can’t make tea!”
17 weeks today, am I going to have to spend the rest of my pregnancy with a clothespin on my nose?
avocado says
Yes, a heightened sense of smell is a pregnancy superpower! It supposedly tends to improve in the second trimester, but I did not find this to be the case. This won’t help with the office kitchen, but at home a small plug-in fan with a charcoal filter (I think Febreze still makes one) can really help to get rid of odors.
Cb says
Huh, I might install one in the office kitchen. It’s a tiny room with no vent and a shower stall in it so I might buy one and consider it my act of public service.
Anon in NOVA says
A shower stall in the kitchen? I’m intrigued…
Cb says
Apparently the old director was a cyclist and he showered before work? Some of my colleagues use it occasionally but with plenty of warning.
Anon in NOVA says
i’m just imagining making my coffee while someone is showering in a stall a few feet away… haha!
Anon in NOVA says
Not to terrify you, but for me it was like the nausea achievement was permanently unlocked! I had never been one to gag or notice bad smells. 7 years later, I will still throw up in the kitchen if there’s a horrible smell. It just never went away :(
Cb says
I’ve always been pretty smell sensitive but this is taking it to a new level. Bonus though – it’s gotten my husband to take out the compost more consistently.
avocado says
Me too! Ten years later, I can still tell instantly what my husband had for lunch…yesterday. My husband thinks I am nuts, so I am glad to know I am not the only one.
Anon in NOVA says
hahaha yes! exactly! I can’t count the number of times I’ve been like “welcome home! You went out for lunch today? where did you go?” based on smell.
Pigpen's Mama says
Same here…more than a few years later and my sense of smell is still stronger than pre-pregnancy. My husband hates it, because I can pretty much smell his ‘methane cuddles’ instantaneously.
Pigpen's Mama says
I should add, I hate it more than he does…. :-)
lucy stone says
Here too. I can tell from across the house if my husband failed to shut the diaper pail.
rosie says
I’m a fan of tea tree oil to help with pregnancy nausea (dab some on wrists). I also got some tea tree oil skin ointment that I can rub into my temples and under my nose if there is a particular odor I need to try to block.
Anon in NOVA says
Shallow moment.
I chair a group that recently hired a contractor to support a project we’re working on. The Project Manager for the group counseled the contractor on wearing jeans to a recent meeting (I really didn’t notice or care). His response? “It was (anon in NOVA) who complained, wasn’t it? It’s always the well-dressed ones”
Is it awful that my first reaction was “Awesome! People think I’m well-dressed!” Glad my priorities are in order…
Pogo says
Ha, I had a similar moment when our group director made a point of telling us that our new VP likes everyone in jackets & ties for meetings with the CEO. He said something like, “It’s not really an issue for you, I think you’re dressed well enough every day but I need to remember to step it up.”
But also kinda weird that dudes noticed we’re well dressed? Especially when I try to tell myself they don’t notice my appearance when I’m feeling less than stellar… lol.
Anon in NOVA says
Men seem to be easily fooled by blazers in my experience. For these meetings I tend to wear a Boden fit and flare dress (I found one that was particularly flattering- recommended on the main site for my body type- and ordered 3 in different solid colors), blazer, statement necklace, and heels.
Any time I switch out flats and a cardigan for heels and a blazer (or even just a blazer) my husband is like “wow! you’re so business like today!”
GCA says
Haha, so true! Anytime I wear a blazer, even if it’s over my regular shirt and trousers, my husband thinks I’m dressed up.
Pogo says
Ha, that’s like the rare occasion my husband sees me totally ready with hair and makeup done (usually we’re running in different directions in the morning). He says “You’re so pretty today!”
Nope, same old.. you’re just used to seeing me after work or on the weekends in leggings/sweatshirt/smudged mascara/hair in a ponytail.
Betty says
Oh this happens with my husband too. He leaves for work an hour before I do. On the rare occasion that he is home later in the morning and sees me dressed for work, I get “Wow! You look so professional!” No, I do not generally go to work with unwashed hair and in my stained law school sweatshirt.
Closet Redux says
Does your office give expectant moms a baby shower or gift? With my first, my department threw me a shower during the work day and the office sprung for several small, sweet gifts. With my second I am at a new company and didn’t get as much as a card when my baby was born. I was surprised, and wonder which is more typical.
Pogo says
My current office gave a card and a gift card to Target (I think?) for the only other woman here who has had a baby since I joined.
Previously I’ve done an actual shower with cake and real presents for a coworker, and I’ve also seen nothing but crickets. I think it totally depends on how friendly/caring people in the office are.
anne-on says
I think it may have more to do with first child vs. 2nd child? I did have a small shower and several thoughtful gifts from my team for my first, but I’d also been there for a while and it was the norm for our team.
Mrs. Jones says
At my mid-size law firm, I had no baby shower, but the firm sent a gift and card after baby was born.
me too says
same
SC says
My last office did not give a shower, gifts, or cards to expecting mothers. I had one boss who left a gift in my office when I returned from maternity leave. I’ve only been at my new job for a month or two, so I’m not sure what the custom is.
Anonymous says
This really varies. I work at a state government law office.
With first baby I got a big office shower for men and women and very generous presents (extremely thankful)
Second baby I got a card and a cake and a group ‘coffee hour’ in the conference room – my manager told everyone I didn’t want anything which wasn’t exactly what I had said. Thought it was very thoughtful that everyone took time out of their day.
Lots of reorg/layoffs – office environment nosedives. Last two women got nothing – like no group gift or even group card or coffee get together.
Whatever you get/don’t get, don’t take it personally as it often has a lot more to whatever the particular office dynamics are in the moment vs you personally.
Anon in NOVA says
I definitely agree with your last line. Especially if you’re in a situation (like government) where it’s entirely left to individuals who work there to plan/coordinate something.
It’s sad to not even do a card, though!
Anon in NOVA says
It seems to vary person to person. I work in government so the “company” obviously can’t foot the bill for the shower/gift. It is usually up to a coworker or supervisor to arrange for a shower or other situation. It’s varied based on how long the person has been there, if it’s their first child or not, what their preference is, etc. I generally collect money for a gift card to wherever the person registered and have everyone sign a card (whether they contributed or not) and get a few snacks and present it to them.
I can see where it may be awkward for a new hire, or slip through the cracks. It also seems less common to have one for those higher up in the org chart, in my experience. It may be a reluctance to appear to “pressure” people to gift up the chain, if that makes sense. Also, often in those situations someone’s boss is the director (who is less likely to have it on their radar) and the people they work more closely with are subordinates.
Anon says
My first was a small shower in the afternoon with cake. I got a gift card for around $150. I’d been with the company for three years. With my second, I’d been with the company less than a year when I had her – but it was a bigger shower (company paid for refreshments), and a much more generous gift card ($350? $400? something like that) along with a few gifts.
So, I think it very much depends on office culture. I threw a shower for a coworker at the second company who insisted she didn’t want one – so we did a team lunch and gave her a gift card. :) (She was fine with that, for the record – she didn’t want the larger group shower.)
I’m actually newly pregnant again (yay!), and at yet another company. Ha! I’ve only worked three places, but apparently I like testing out the maternity leave. :) Not sure if I’ll have a shower or anything, probably just a small gift card from my team. I’m helping throw a shower right now for a first time mom coworker, and it’s cake and refreshments one afternoon.
Anon says
I am in-house and when I was pregnant the women in my office threw me a nice shower with cake and generous gifts (same for another women in my office who had a baby) and the guys sent me a nice card and gift card after the baby was born.
FVNC says
In-house counsel of Fortune 50 company, and there was no acknowledgement of my pregnancy/birth of first child other than a couple congratulatory emails. This is in keeping with the department culture, though, which doesn’t acknowledge birthdays, milestones or holidays.
Anonymous says
At my current employer (2 babies), it really varies depending on your work group. Some go all out with a shower and big group gift. Others do nothing. My department usually does nothing. A handful of people will give you some diapers, an outfit, or hand-me-downs on their own. Lots of congratulatory emails and picture requests. (Ironically, I’ve observed that the most family-friendly groups at my employer do the least, which I find fascinating).
At my previous employer (1 baby), awkward semi-obligatory shower (…with only female coworkers…) with a modest group gift.
Anon says
Am I being unreasonable? I work full time and have two young kids at home, and I volunteered for a school board committee to try to become more active in my community. The committee meetings are LONG and unproductive and there’s literally no purpose to the committee, so I don’t think we’ll every actually accomplish much more than sitting in a room.
I’m contemplating quitting the committee. I feel like my free time is precious and I don’t want to spend even one evening every month sitting around with a bunch of SAHMs and retirees who just want to whine about the school district and/or property taxes. The meetings are SO LONG that there’s no real opportunity to socialize with anyone afterwards, nor have I gotten to meet anyone to suggest a smaller group, because we all sit around and listen to these very vocal 5-10 people complain.
I’m not getting anything out of it, but I feel incredibly conflicted about quitting. I think because I haven’t quit anything before (it wasn’t clear, but I think it was a year long volunteer commitment and I’m 5 months in) and because it’s one of the very few ways to get involved in my local community. What am I not considering? Should I just quit? Should I tough it out until the fall?
Pogo says
For one evening a month I’d tough it out for the year, since it sounds like it’s more of an annoyance for that one evening that an ongoing source of stress. But I agree if you aren’t getting anything out of it, no need to continue past the original commitment.
EBMom says
Your time IS precious and cannot be regained once lost. I would either quit, or make up excuses as to why I couldn’t go to the next 6 or 7 meetings, or come really late or leave really early. Really, the best thing to do is probably quit and tell the Board chair why you are quitting. You are not obligated to sit around and hear people complain. Surely there is another way to get involved in your community. If not, start a group once your kids are older.
avocado says
I would quit. Your commitment was based on the assumption that you’d be involved in something useful. For me having to waste even one evening a month would be an ongoing source of stress, so I’d eliminate it if neither you nor society is gaining anything from your involvement.
TK says
Oh man, I’d totally quit.
Momata says
Can you add an agenda item to formalize the nature and goals of the committee and to pass a resolution that meetings shall be no longer than 90 minutes? Take charge and make the committee useful rather than just quitting? That way you can make the committee the outlet for community involvement that you’d hoped it would be.
mascot says
This. Bring solutions to the table.
anon says
I like this solution, but you might try talking to the Board chair first so as not to blindside him/her – explain why you are thinking of quitting and see if he/she is receptive to change.
PinkKeyboard says
Quit! That sounds horrible and soul sucking.
H says
If you aren’t getting anything out of it, quit and don’t feel guilty. The time is better spent with your family.
NewMomAnon says
I hear the folks saying “make this into something useful,” but you need to balance that with your boundaries as a working parent. Sometimes we need an off-the-shelf opportunity, not a self-made opportunity. I visited four different nonprofit boards before I found one that was (a) interesting, (b) appropriate for the time I had to give, and (c) in need of the skills that I could bring to the table. Once I found the right fit, I made a big difference for the organization and learned so much that it didn’t feel like work.
If you want to dig in and make this one work, try proposing an agenda (if they don’t already work off agendas) and make one of the agenda items drafting a mission and goals for the committee. If they say no, I’d quit.
Anon says
Oooh thank you for this and that phrase. I was trying to decide how to respond to Momata’s lovely suggestion above. It’s such a good thought, but I feel like I want an off-the-shelf opportunity at this point.
Apparently this is a long-standing committee, so I don’t know how happy everyone else is with this arrangement. I get the feeling it would be doable to take over and start making a difference, but it would take a lot of work on my behalf to lead us there and KEEP us there. I’m not so sure I’m willing to take on that level of a commitment at this point – honestly I was sort of hoping for something that was pre-made where I could attend a monthly meeting, maybe do a couple extra hours on my own or with a small group each month, and make a difference that way. Not informally leading a group that I’m not so sure wants to get to that same point.
Not wanting to lead/ take over is so opposite of my personality, but I have limited bandwidth at this point and I’m afraid of pouring so much time into this obviously noneffective committee.
Anonymous says
could you start a sub-committee on a particular issue – just you and a few others?
NewMomAnon says
How big is this committee? If your absence won’t be felt because the group isn’t doing much, I would be out in a flash. If they need the manpower, I’d suggest asking a member of a different committee if you could swap.
Before you join another group, set out your list of goals. The nonprofit I joined would vet incoming Board members by asking what they wanted to get out of the Board service, as well as what they could bring to the Board. If you want a drop-in opportunity with little responsibility but good social opportunities, think about the junior league or toastmasters instead of a leadership role.
anon says
I totally understand not wanting to take on being the change here. I do think if you can bring yourself to tell the chair–if there is one–why you are leaving in a way that is polite and that the chair might hear, that might be helpful. You could do it in a way that is just FYI, not an invitation for dialogue, like, “I realized this committee doesn’t align well with my interests and the amount of time I have available. It seems like the committee is focused more on discussing and exploring the issues, and I’d rather focus on action-oriented work such as xxx right now. “
lsw says
Ugh. Today is hard. I am back at work after an unexpected week off for bereavement leave (my grandmother passed away – so, sad, but not out of the blue). I really cherished having some extra days off with my baby (7 months old)even though half of it was spent traveling and it was obviously for a sad reason. Today I feel so, so sad. I am tearing up while I pump. I want to be at home with the baby and not here. Probably in part I feel overwhelmed by the work that piled up while I was gone, even though I tried to be on email as much as I could. And last night I went to bed early but didn’t actually fall asleep until after 12:30 a.m. I feel like being here is a mistake and right now I hate working. I know it doesn’t feel like this every day but this is my first day back in 4 months where I just want to say F it and quit.
NewMomAnon says
I mean, if this is the first day in 4 months that you want to quit, that’s pretty awesome. It’s OK to have tough days. It’s going to happen either way – I remember having a Friday off when I was considering being a SAHM, and just thinking, what have I done, I hate being home with a baby so much, where are the adults?
One day at a time. One hour at a time, if you need it. Hugs. You’re going through a lot right now.
Anonymous says
“I mean, if this is the first day in 4 months that you want to quit, that’s pretty awesome.” I laughed so hard at this, because it’s true.
You’ve had a hard week. It’s completely reasonable that you’re not excited to be at work and are missing your family.
I totally agree that for at least the first year – if not longer – not quitting definitely counts as leaning in.
Anonymous says
I had a one year maternity leave, I live 5 minutes from my office and most days I feel like the most I can ‘lean in’ is to not quit.
You’re doing amazing. It’s tough.
Anonymous says
THANK YOU for this. I so appreciate the validation that, “most days I feel like the most I can ‘lean in’ is to not quit.”
PEN says
Sending hugs. I have had days like that and I know I love my job. Only one in 4 months sounds great :) When I am having a rough day, I try to focus on whether the day is rough bc of work (like, as you said, overwhelming amount of work) or bc I just miss my kiddos. When its the former, I remind myself that this would be the case even without kids & mom guilt. When it is the latter, I try to take off a bit early or plan something special with the kids for the weekend. It helps me get through the ruts. Also, I dont know if you were pumping while you were off, but any time I would have a break from pumping, the first day back at work pumping would make me so weepy. Maybe bc I hate pumping? Maybe bc it reminded me in that moment that I wasn’t with my baby? I don’t know—but it certainly made “first days back” much tougher.
lsw says
Thank you so much. This is really helpful advice.
And yes, this was my longest stretch without pumping since I’ve been back to work. 9 days without pumping! I didn’t think about that at all. I’m glad you mentioned it, and now I’m going to keep an eye out so next time it happens I can be at least a little objective. (I also hate pumping.)
Anonymous says
I have this almost every Monday and my baby just turned 3 years old. You’re doing great. Keep going to work. Your future self will thank you!
Anon says
+1. Mine are 3 and 1. I love being back at work on Monday (single parenting for 48+ hours is HARD), but by Friday I’m daydreaming about quitting. You’re doing great!
lsw says
Thank you, thank you – I know that I care about my career, so this is important…but in the moment it can be really hard. And NewMomAnon is right…about two weeks ago I said to my husband, “I feel like I could never be a stay at home parent, it’s too hard to be home with just me and a baby!” One day at a time.