Why I am still on maternity leave

A couple of people have commented that they were surprised that I was "still on maternity leave"

I have realised how lucky we are in the UK to have such family-friendly maternity policies when my French and American friends talk about going back to work at 12 weeks as if that was the norm.

Before I went off on maternity I did wonder whether I'd get bored and how soon I'd come running back to VCCP. I thought maybe 6 months at the most and then work would be too much of a draw.

The reality is a bit different.

Felix is 5 months now and has turned into this brilliantly funny little baby full of life, energy and smiles and although I am exhausted I can't imagine being back in the office full-time in 4 weeks (they do know this btw!)

Through Twitter I feel plugged in and connected to the advertising - digital - comms community that I am a part of so although motherhood is all consuming at the moment I don't feel cut off. This has to be a fairly new phenomena - the way that social platforms enable non-working mothers to stay in the loop professionally.

So I will be coming back to work but I am discussing a 4 day week and a change in my role so that there are less mental late nights (although I am aware that these are always going to exist in our industry) and meetings outside of London. Because as well as loving my son I also happen to love my job and the industry that I am lucky enough to be in so I am going to have to try and work out how to try and harmonise the two.

I think that I will probably attempt to come back to work around the 9 month mark. My next project is to find a loving french-speaking nanny to look after the little one.

Anyone have any ideas?

He's a charmer and a lot of fun to hang out with!

Comments

[Daisy]

You have a really cute boy, Amelia! I wish you all the best with the Work-Life balance.