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Some of the articles of interest to working mothers that we’ve seen around the web recently…
- The New York Times reports that some new moms in NYC are bringing in the professionals to make sure they look good in those first mom-and-baby hospital photos.
- Working Mother looks at why two thirds of female associates leave their new law firm jobs within five years.
- New York magazine’s The Cut shares one working mother’s essay about how she looks at free time, friends, and her career differently after becoming a mom.
- Inspired by Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook post in which he shared that he and wife Priscilla Chan had endured three miscarriages before her current pregnancy, Forbes asked several women to share their own experiences.
- Red Tricycle has some cute ideas for those first-day-of-school photos.
- Hellobee shares tips on moving with kids.
Do be sure to check out the news update over at Corporette!
On Corporette Recently…
- We took a look back in Corporette history.
- Kat answered readers’ questions about dressing for law school orientation and choosing your office at a new job.
- We looked at stylish cardigans for work.
Did we miss anything? Add ’em here, or send them to [email protected]. Thank you!
NewMomAnon says
I was really disappointed in that Working Mother article.
I just got asked whether I want to work for a client that “encourages law firms to include diverse attorneys”, including working moms, on their legal teams. Oh, and the client requires a one-hour turnaround on any of their correspondence and a “superior” level of responsiveness. So basically – “We want to encourage moms to work for us, but only if they will prioritize our work above their children, nutrition, sleep, and sanity. Mmmkay?”
Dear client – a 24-hour work cycle will drive new moms out of the legal workplace, unless they have a very supportive (likely stay-at-home) co-parent or enough money for a team of nannies, which they probably don’t because they have STUDENT LOANS coinciding with a PARTNER BUY-IN while taking a PART-TIME PAY CUT, all while navigating rapidly increasing health insurance costs and relatively flat legal wages. Mmmkay?
Just had to get that off my chest. *exhales*
FVNC says
Agreed. Also, seeing my old firm on the list of 50 most women-friendly law firms that the article links to made me LOL and doubt the entire rest of the list.
TBK says
Just thinking the same thing. You know what would result in more women staying in law firm? Cutting billables back to 1400 or whatever they were 50 years ago, before there was the AmLaw 100 and everyone went crazy over profits per partner. I’m not totally sure how one big law firm does that if others aren’t though. Clients pay $1,000/hr for top partners (and $500 or $700 for their associates) not only because the lawyers are talented, but because they’re offering an option on literally all of their time. And when you get to the kinds of cases big law handles — honestly, truly “bet the company” work — clients are eager to pay top dollar for the very best. Telling those clients that you’re simply not available after 4:00pm, or that you need a week to turn a draft when your competition will turn it overnight, is not feasible. I don’t know what the solution is. I suspect as men want more time with their families we’ll simply see fewer people with children — of either gender — staying on at the big firms.
Anon for this says
I am a mid-level litigation associate with 3 young children, and I just gave notice to my firm that I am going in house. The senior management is flipping out because I am allegedly so highly valued (something they never made clear during all my years at the firm) and asking me to renege so I can work out some kind of alternative work arrangement and stay at the firm. But I honestly can’t think of any kind of arrangement that would make my life better because litigation is inherently crazy. Reduced hours always leads to hour creep and there is definitely a stigma around here. So I am going to take the cushy in-house gig with better hours, less commute, and almost equal pay, with no regrets whatsoever.
Meg Murry says
That NYT article. Wow. Really, the hairstylist was *waiting in the hallway* while she gave birth so he could give her a blowout to have pictures taken? Even Kate Middleton got a few hours before she had to be photo ready.
This is a trend I really hope doesn’t take off. New parents have enough pressure on them as it is.
Although the way it’s written, it almost sounds like an ad. Hey, I got a couple of clients to hire me to style their hair in the L&D ward – how about you write a story about it and pretend like its an up and coming “thing” so I can get some more clients, hmmm?
AEK says
You’re so right. I’m already automatically skeptical of NYT “trend” pieces (a few outliers does not a trend make), but this one seemed especially like product placement.
sfg says
I have to admit that I would have loved a professional blowout after I was finally able to shower after giving birth. But not for pictures – just to feel more like myself after a looooong labor.
ANP says
Not sure how much action this thread will see over the weekend, but…
I recently gave birth to our 3rd child (#1 is 5 and #2 is 3) and am trying to figure out when I need/want to return to work. I love my children but haaaaaate the unstructured, sleep-deprived nature of being on leave. That said, I took 12 weeks with each of my other kids and it’s always a zoo going back.
The reason this is even a question is bc I took a Big Crazy Job in my 3rd trimester and I’m feeling a greater obligation to return earlier than in my past positions. I oversee a team that’s in transition and bc of that I’ve been more connected to work than ever before during a leave. My boss has made it clear that he wants me there for the long haul — that if I come back early, great, but he’s not going to sweat a few weeks (note: he says this, and he thinks he means it, but he also calls me 2x/week on average). I’m also going to have to figure out how to onboard two new employees to our team in the next month or so, whether I’m
Complicating factor: I work at an org connected to a school, and my eldest starts there at the end of August. So because of all of the above and because I have to go to my work at least 1x/day anyway to take her to kindergarten, I’m thinking of going back at 8-9 weeks. Questions:
– Have you gone back that early? Am I insane for trying it? I’m mostly worried about sleep.
– How do I combat the Mom Guilt of not spending maximum time with #3? We have access to an awesome quality daycare, but still…the baby stage isn’t my favorite but this is also our last kiddo, and I want to make sure I don’t have any regrets down the road.
– Going back PT for a few weeks is also an option. Thoughts on this? Better for my sanity and for baby to work a half day everyday or just a few days/week? And how to prevent my hours from creeping into FT?
My brain is spinning. Any advice from those who’ve BTDT would be much appreciated!
Anon says
I went back to work after six weeks part time and full time at eight weeks. It worked for me! I was tired but my so didn’t sleep through the night until 10 months so the sleep thing was no different for me at 6 weeks versus 6 months.
meme says
I had 14 weeks leave with my first and 8 weeks with the others, followed by 4 weeks work-from-home ramp up time. Personally, I much preferred the longer leave, but I really enjoyed my at-home time with kiddos so YMMV. I think a lot of people take an 8 week leave and get through just fine. I was still quite sleep deprived and having a hard time with my postpartum shape/wardrobe. By 12-16 weeks, it was much easier for me to fit into many of my pre-baby clothes, which reduced the need to buy a new, very temporary wardrobe for that really early transition period. I think this is a really personal decision and it may be best for you to go back earlier where others (like me) prefer a longer leave. I will say though, the fact that you’re going to be dropping your child off (or picking up) at the school anyway would not factor in at all for me. Quick dropoff is worlds apart from all-day commitment at a demanding job.