“Can’t you just get rid of it?” she asked me and then let out a loud sigh, placing her head in her palm, leaning onto her elbow on the desk.
Four months into a new role at work — the result of a big promotion that I worked damn hard for — I found myself sitting in my new boss’ office for our weekly check-in. I was *just* starting to show, and I knew I was running out of time. I had to tell her the news. I was pregnant with my second child. Why was I so nervous to tell her? I guess her reaction to the news says it all.
Was the timing perfect? No. Should that matter? Also no. In all the years I’d worked at this firm, I’d never let them down. I worked long hours, nights, and weekends. Traveled for weeks at a time. Was handed contract after contract with the clients who were considered “difficult” because they knew I could handle it. I worked until the day I went into labor with my first and put into place a detailed coverage plan for my maternity leave. If everything went as planned, I would do the same with this one.
My new boss was a career woman with three older kids of her own. Shocking, right? Since becoming a mom, I’ve had distinctly varied experiences with other working moms at the companies I’ve worked for.
By far, the most supportive ones have been peers with young kids or older women without kids. Those that were senior to me and had older kids were far less sympathetic. Maybe they forgot how hard it was? Forgot how much they needed something as small as a knowing smile from another mom that signals “you got this.” Forgot how support from fellow working moms was sometimes the only thing that got us through an especially tough day.
Despite this, I gave her no reason to doubt my commitment to my team or my work ethic.
Eventually, I worked from home one Wednesday morning when I went into labor during the tail end of a conference call. 20 hours later, my sweet, perfect second child arrived earthside – one of the greatest joys of my life. After my maternity leave, I returned to work, and my boss treated me as if nothing happened. I think she was almost surprised I came back.
