I reached a huge milestone- 6 months of exclusive breast feeding. There definitely were days when I thought I wouldn't get here. Thankfully, I knew that 6 months was possible once I got through the first 6 weeks.
I'm recently hit the 3 month mark of being back at work (wow!) and pumping.
Where has the time gone!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Utopia Does Exist
How awesome is this company?
http://shine.yahoo.com/secrets-to-your-success/australian-company-iag-rewards-moms-returning-185600273.html
Not only do they value women in upper level positions and have ASKED their female employees for feedback. They also used that feedback (I didn't think this happens, but apparently there are Utopian places that do!) to change their policies to help retain women. It seems like such a novel idea, but considering that women in the US still do not make the same as their male counterparts, the practice of this company excites me and gives me hope. The biggest change- they give 14 weeks of paid maternity time (awesome!) and they pay the woman 2x's her salary for the first 6 weeks after she returns to work (even more awesome!).
I am not the stay at home mom type so returning to work has always been my plan. I like my job and value my career so although a juggling act, I have not minded being back. I do mind the long commute and not having flexibility to adjust my schedule to meet the needs of my family. I would love to know that my employer values women enough to say- we know that becoming a parent is an adjustment so we're going to help make that adjustment a little easier by paying you a little extra when you return to work. How powerful (and it makes my HR heart pitter patter a little).
Now I wonder how long it will be before US companies start to get it and really make an effort to retain women, especially working moms.
http://shine.yahoo.com/secrets-to-your-success/australian-company-iag-rewards-moms-returning-185600273.html
Not only do they value women in upper level positions and have ASKED their female employees for feedback. They also used that feedback (I didn't think this happens, but apparently there are Utopian places that do!) to change their policies to help retain women. It seems like such a novel idea, but considering that women in the US still do not make the same as their male counterparts, the practice of this company excites me and gives me hope. The biggest change- they give 14 weeks of paid maternity time (awesome!) and they pay the woman 2x's her salary for the first 6 weeks after she returns to work (even more awesome!).
I am not the stay at home mom type so returning to work has always been my plan. I like my job and value my career so although a juggling act, I have not minded being back. I do mind the long commute and not having flexibility to adjust my schedule to meet the needs of my family. I would love to know that my employer values women enough to say- we know that becoming a parent is an adjustment so we're going to help make that adjustment a little easier by paying you a little extra when you return to work. How powerful (and it makes my HR heart pitter patter a little).
Now I wonder how long it will be before US companies start to get it and really make an effort to retain women, especially working moms.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Ahhhh....the Joys of Pumping
I'm lucky to work for an organization that is very accommodating of my pumping, which is awesome. We recently moved into a new space and have a great, new "wellness" room to use to pump in (and the facilities director has said that the 'wellness' room really is specifically for pumping moms, but they can't call it something more specific). In the two weeks that we've been in our new space, I've realized that people with no legitimate reason to go into the "wellness" room have been using the space. I'm all for community, but I also don't get it. I mean there are people who need to use the space (i.e. pumping moms- there are 4 or 5 right now and people who medical reasons- diabetics being a big one). I get that sometimes you need a break and yes, this space can be used for that. But what I don't get is that there are people who go in there for extended periods of time (like 45 min or more) and monopolize the space. I struggle with not being too quick to judge and assume that these people don't have a reason to be in there, but I also know that unfortunately lazy people are just looking for places to hide from their work. The past two afternoons, I've had to wait an hour longer than I was comfortable to pump because of people (or the same someone) monopolizing the space. I had a co-worker suggest that I knock on the door. I debate if this is the best course of action, but I also am feeling pretty frustrated that my needs as a nursing mom are not being met due to inconsiderate people. I also have debated bringing it up to my manager. Not sure what she can do, though. Decisions, decisions.....
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Best Invention....
I love the munchkin paci wipes. I don't us them with LO's paci, but I do use them to clean my pump parts while I'm at work. They are awesome.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Pump It Up, Pump It Up
Ah, the joys of being away from LO for long periods of time. I love my pump, I really do. But I love feeding from the tap even more. I spend hours every week with my pump- definitely more time than I spend with my friends and probably as much time as I spend with my husband some weeks. In fact, I spend 7 1/2 hours per week pumping. Crazy.
I've been lucky to have a good response to the pump and can pump enough for the next day. I do feel the pinch of a busy work schedule and struggle some days to find the time to pump enough times to get what I need. Sigh. My insurance policy (i.e. freezer stash) has been taking a hit. Oy!
I've been lucky to have a good response to the pump and can pump enough for the next day. I do feel the pinch of a busy work schedule and struggle some days to find the time to pump enough times to get what I need. Sigh. My insurance policy (i.e. freezer stash) has been taking a hit. Oy!
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