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The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby
The Fifth Trimester is your new best a brilliant, tells-it-like-it-is guide that helps moms cope with the demands of the real world after the baby arrives
The first three trimesters (and the fourth—those blurry newborn days) are for the baby, but the Fifth Trimester is when the working mom is born. No matter what the job or how you define work, you're going to have a lot of questions. When will I go back? How should I manage that initial "I want to quit" attack? Flex-time or full-time? How can I achieve 50/50 at home with my partner? What's the best option for childcare? Is it possible to look like I slept for eight hours instead of three? And . . . why is there never a convenient space to pump?
Whether you're in the final stages of pregnancy or hitting the panic button on your last day of leave, The Fifth Trimeste r is your one-stop shop for the honest, funny, and comforting tips, to-do lists, and take-charge strategies you'll need to embrace your new identity as a working parent and set yourself up for success.
Based on interviews with 700+ candidly speaking moms in wildly varied fields and incredible expert advice, The Fifth Trimester tackles every personal and professional detail with the wit, warmth, and inspiration you need to win when you head back to work.
Like What to Expect When You're Expecting and The Happiest Baby on the Block , this is an indispensable guide every new mom needs on her shelf.
The first three trimesters (and the fourth—those blurry newborn days) are for the baby, but the Fifth Trimester is when the working mom is born. No matter what the job or how you define work, you're going to have a lot of questions. When will I go back? How should I manage that initial "I want to quit" attack? Flex-time or full-time? How can I achieve 50/50 at home with my partner? What's the best option for childcare? Is it possible to look like I slept for eight hours instead of three? And . . . why is there never a convenient space to pump?
Whether you're in the final stages of pregnancy or hitting the panic button on your last day of leave, The Fifth Trimeste r is your one-stop shop for the honest, funny, and comforting tips, to-do lists, and take-charge strategies you'll need to embrace your new identity as a working parent and set yourself up for success.
Based on interviews with 700+ candidly speaking moms in wildly varied fields and incredible expert advice, The Fifth Trimester tackles every personal and professional detail with the wit, warmth, and inspiration you need to win when you head back to work.
Like What to Expect When You're Expecting and The Happiest Baby on the Block , this is an indispensable guide every new mom needs on her shelf.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2017
455 people are currently reading
2461 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
April 25, 2017
Since the birth of Teacup Human, my TBR pile has shrunk substantially. Seriously. Check out my Goodreads page and there is a total of 25 books between my "To Read" and "To Read Own" shelves - and only three of those are currently published.
My priorities shifted and while I still read, and enjoy reading, the time to lounge on the couch and just read for hours is a thing of the past. Fair trade off, but that just means I'm picker when it comes to what I read and far more ruthless when it comes to DNFing titles.
I'm not a huge fan of nonfiction titles. I'll read some here and there depending on the topic, but when The Fifth Trimester fell into my lap I knew that as a new mom and a working one at that, I had to give it a read.
The only drawback, for me, is that by the time I got around to reading The Fifth Trimester, I had already been back to work for two months and had found somewhat a groove between Mom-Andrea, Working-Mom-Andrea, and Human-Woman-Andrea. Not an easy balance, but I got a hang of it. For now anyway. ;)
Had I read this prior to coming back to work, it would have been more helpful and insightful as to what I was about to experience. Lauren includes amazing tips, hacks, and stories from fellow mothers.
One of my favorite things Lauren includes, which I have since adopted, is the "sub-sixty-second" plan for the "morning when your baby decides to nurse twice, or poops on your clothes, or just needs to be held during the exact time that you usually reserve for getting ready." Luckily, Teacup Human doesn't have many of these mornings and if she wakes up early I can put her in her bouncer next to my vanity and she entertains herself, but every once in a while all my focus needs to be on her. Or else.
Lauren's writing is like talking to a girlfriend and her antidotes of fellow friends/mothers who have been in the same situation were calming. Sort of in an "I'm not alone" sort of way. One of the things she stresses is that while it's important to take care of your baby, obviously, it's also extremely important to take care of yourself.
I'd definitely recommend this to any mother on the verge of returning to work or just to any new mother in general.
My priorities shifted and while I still read, and enjoy reading, the time to lounge on the couch and just read for hours is a thing of the past. Fair trade off, but that just means I'm picker when it comes to what I read and far more ruthless when it comes to DNFing titles.
I'm not a huge fan of nonfiction titles. I'll read some here and there depending on the topic, but when The Fifth Trimester fell into my lap I knew that as a new mom and a working one at that, I had to give it a read.
The only drawback, for me, is that by the time I got around to reading The Fifth Trimester, I had already been back to work for two months and had found somewhat a groove between Mom-Andrea, Working-Mom-Andrea, and Human-Woman-Andrea. Not an easy balance, but I got a hang of it. For now anyway. ;)
Had I read this prior to coming back to work, it would have been more helpful and insightful as to what I was about to experience. Lauren includes amazing tips, hacks, and stories from fellow mothers.
One of my favorite things Lauren includes, which I have since adopted, is the "sub-sixty-second" plan for the "morning when your baby decides to nurse twice, or poops on your clothes, or just needs to be held during the exact time that you usually reserve for getting ready." Luckily, Teacup Human doesn't have many of these mornings and if she wakes up early I can put her in her bouncer next to my vanity and she entertains herself, but every once in a while all my focus needs to be on her. Or else.
Lauren's writing is like talking to a girlfriend and her antidotes of fellow friends/mothers who have been in the same situation were calming. Sort of in an "I'm not alone" sort of way. One of the things she stresses is that while it's important to take care of your baby, obviously, it's also extremely important to take care of yourself.
I'd definitely recommend this to any mother on the verge of returning to work or just to any new mother in general.
June 7, 2017
Generally, I'd recommend this book for women to read during pregnancy to help think about maternity leave plans and the return to work later.
appreciated this book more than I thought I would. I've already gone through the transition from maternity leave back to work once, but this added some new perspective for me. I particularly enjoyed that the audience for this book seemed to be aimed more towards professional, junior and senior leaders, with examples from women aspiring to be (or already) at the top of their fields. I can apply advice from here not just to juggling my family and job during a period of transition but more generally to thinking about who I want to be in the workplace (and outside it).
Brody often refers to mentoring, as well as being an example and creating your own path, which really spoke to me right now. If I want to convey to those I work with (and who will be entering the work force after me) an idea of balance, I need to model it myself, and not just talk the game.
Definitely gave me things to think about.
appreciated this book more than I thought I would. I've already gone through the transition from maternity leave back to work once, but this added some new perspective for me. I particularly enjoyed that the audience for this book seemed to be aimed more towards professional, junior and senior leaders, with examples from women aspiring to be (or already) at the top of their fields. I can apply advice from here not just to juggling my family and job during a period of transition but more generally to thinking about who I want to be in the workplace (and outside it).
Brody often refers to mentoring, as well as being an example and creating your own path, which really spoke to me right now. If I want to convey to those I work with (and who will be entering the work force after me) an idea of balance, I need to model it myself, and not just talk the game.
Definitely gave me things to think about.
April 17, 2019
Very good advice for moms preparing to go back to work. Probably wouldn't speak to the blue collar workers out there but if you work in a corporate field this guide is really handy. I thought the last chapter about how to have crucial conversations was particularly good.
January 30, 2019
This was so helpful to me as a first time mom as I prepare to go back to work. Got me thinking about all the things to consider and how to approach. I’d highly recommend it.
August 19, 2019
It’s a very good and practical guide for women returning to work. I really liked the style of the author, and book is a mix of practical advice and stories from other women.
There are probably not so many new-new things that you will find there, because all of us are worried about emotional and practical implications of returning to work, but everything is summarized quite nicely and logically, and it kinda created a mental check list for me.
What I highlighted for myself:
General info:
- on average it takes 6 months after delivery for women to start emotionally feel normal again, so some of the adjustment might happen when you already at work
Prepare for the work:
- Good section about how to choose for a nanny, but not applicable to me
- Buy couple of new clothing pieces and think about your new style, meaning don’t wait until you are back to your pre-pregnancy size, find something you look professional and comfortable now (she has some practical advice about this). I personally love this advice, as we should not only wear something that we have, it is better to have something we love to feel confident
- Look: think about New Generous Minimum, so not the bare minimum you do, but a little bit above it to feel better (like at least having an earrings or lipstick etc)
- Make-up routine: I loved the advice of buying eye concealer and creating your emergency escape make-up routine. She offers 60 sec routine as well
- Decide how much you want to know about baby’s day and discuss that ahead of time
When you start work:
- Focus on couple of VIMT (very important missed things) to catch-up quickly
- Admit what’s hard and brag about getting through it
- First 3 months back are the hardest, so no drastic decisions should be taken during that time. E.g. if you want to quit after you returned, just wait these 3 months and then re-evaluate this desire, as in a lot of cases it will disappear or change.
- Decide what is sacred for you and where you don’t accept any compromise
- Set up new limits are work and don’t feel guilty about them as long as you deliver results
- Decide how much you want to share and be strategic about it (e.g. if you want to help company culture to change you might want to share more)
- Change how to you work: stop overproducing & don’t pre-solve problems
- Prioritize face time
- Take care of yourself, allow yourself to have emotional moments, but think how to self-sooth yourself prior to them (so then it’s easier.quicker to calm down during that moment)
- Prioritise sleep (e.g. minimise screen time during night feedings, try to nap etc)
- Plan for 2pm low energy moment (I always have them, but never attempted to use them wisely!)
- ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED AND DON”T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT
- Manage upwards, downwards and sideways:
- Appreciate how good you’ve got it
- Recognise generational differences
- Be aware of your biases towards your boss
- Understand his pressures
- Reset your boundaries
- And don’t shy away from autonomy
- 50/50 partnership: when in doubt “save a bottle for a dad”, meaning don’t try to do it all yourself! Let him do the stuff his way
- Master your new time “off”: use your commute, keep your weekend sacred (if you need to work you can take a scheduled work break), be available, but not always (e.g. set limits when you are off)
- And remember: TAKING TIME OFF MAKES YOU BETTER IN YOUR CAREER
She also offers ideas on how to approach important topics at work (like pay rise, better conditions to pump etc) and how to reply to annoying comments of others.
There are probably not so many new-new things that you will find there, because all of us are worried about emotional and practical implications of returning to work, but everything is summarized quite nicely and logically, and it kinda created a mental check list for me.
What I highlighted for myself:
General info:
- on average it takes 6 months after delivery for women to start emotionally feel normal again, so some of the adjustment might happen when you already at work
Prepare for the work:
- Good section about how to choose for a nanny, but not applicable to me
- Buy couple of new clothing pieces and think about your new style, meaning don’t wait until you are back to your pre-pregnancy size, find something you look professional and comfortable now (she has some practical advice about this). I personally love this advice, as we should not only wear something that we have, it is better to have something we love to feel confident
- Look: think about New Generous Minimum, so not the bare minimum you do, but a little bit above it to feel better (like at least having an earrings or lipstick etc)
- Make-up routine: I loved the advice of buying eye concealer and creating your emergency escape make-up routine. She offers 60 sec routine as well
- Decide how much you want to know about baby’s day and discuss that ahead of time
When you start work:
- Focus on couple of VIMT (very important missed things) to catch-up quickly
- Admit what’s hard and brag about getting through it
- First 3 months back are the hardest, so no drastic decisions should be taken during that time. E.g. if you want to quit after you returned, just wait these 3 months and then re-evaluate this desire, as in a lot of cases it will disappear or change.
- Decide what is sacred for you and where you don’t accept any compromise
- Set up new limits are work and don’t feel guilty about them as long as you deliver results
- Decide how much you want to share and be strategic about it (e.g. if you want to help company culture to change you might want to share more)
- Change how to you work: stop overproducing & don’t pre-solve problems
- Prioritize face time
- Take care of yourself, allow yourself to have emotional moments, but think how to self-sooth yourself prior to them (so then it’s easier.quicker to calm down during that moment)
- Prioritise sleep (e.g. minimise screen time during night feedings, try to nap etc)
- Plan for 2pm low energy moment (I always have them, but never attempted to use them wisely!)
- ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED AND DON”T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT
- Manage upwards, downwards and sideways:
- Appreciate how good you’ve got it
- Recognise generational differences
- Be aware of your biases towards your boss
- Understand his pressures
- Reset your boundaries
- And don’t shy away from autonomy
- 50/50 partnership: when in doubt “save a bottle for a dad”, meaning don’t try to do it all yourself! Let him do the stuff his way
- Master your new time “off”: use your commute, keep your weekend sacred (if you need to work you can take a scheduled work break), be available, but not always (e.g. set limits when you are off)
- And remember: TAKING TIME OFF MAKES YOU BETTER IN YOUR CAREER
She also offers ideas on how to approach important topics at work (like pay rise, better conditions to pump etc) and how to reply to annoying comments of others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
This was okay. I starting reading it when I was already 3 months back at work, which was probably too late, but I still found much of it helpful. Unfortunately, some of the content feels incredibly outdated already, given how the landscape of work has changed since the onset of the pandemic; but my job is still mostly in person, so a lot of this is still very relevant for me. I wanted to hate the chapters on how to dress and do easy makeup/hair for work after having a baby... but honestly, they were helpful. It is not fun when none of your old work outfits fit and you can't seem to find the time to even brush your hair, let alone do a smoky eye or whatever. I will note that this book is geared towards moms in executive and senior management roles. I related to a lot of it, but I feel like the author could have diversified the testimonials more.
March 10, 2018
A must read for working moms with their first baby, I laughed and cried through this treasure of a book. I really needed this book. I was feeling frightened and vulnerable about going back to work as a legislative director for a California State Senator after having my first child. This book gave me exactly what I was looking for and left me with the confidence I needed to go back to work and still be a kick-ass Mom. And unlike some Self-help books, this didn’t just have priceless information, it was also incredibly well written.
August 4, 2017
Brody offers advice from surveyed/interviewed working moms about the reality of the return to the office post-maternity leave ("the 5th trimester"). Included at the start is a "Going Back to Work Tomorrow" quick reference for quick review. Liked her writing style; seems down-to-Earth, intelligent, realistic, funny. Addresses the many aspects of post-delivery life, including postpartum depression/anxiety.
October 27, 2018
I absolutely loved this book and wish I had read it 5 years ago. It mixes anecdotes and research, and I related to a lot of it. It's a little breastfeeding skewed, and even though I happened to nurse and it definitely changes the game for working and is a stressful part of the fourth trimester too, I'm sensitive to my many friends and family who couldn't nurse for a dozen different reasons. I also have friends adopting and there are only a few anecdotes from women who adopted. Overall an excellent book, but know that it's mostly shaped around one woman's experience, which I happen to relate to.
March 30, 2018
I’m a little past my own “fifth trimester” but still really enjoyed this. 100% would be work-mom bffs with this author, she seems delightful.
March 3, 2025
When I opened this book and saw the author had a going-back-tomorrow skim reading guide I knew it was going to be my vibe. Finished just in the nick of time 🫠.
July 29, 2019
So much great info! This would be a perfect gift for anyone getting ready to start work with a new baby. I loved it!
April 15, 2019
Excellent read, made me feel like going back to work is actually doable and perhaps even semi-enjoyable—and a great reminder to speak up for myself and what I need. Not all of the perspectives were applicable for me, as it depends on what your job is—a lot of scenarios were presented as a new mom approaching administration, but what happens if YOU are a part of the administration?! Still a helpful and important read!
May 20, 2017
Awesome. awesome book. Lots of practical advice and words of wisdom. I recommend to any women who plan to go back to work!
Read
May 26, 2017Not sure if the tips were helpful if just knowing that I'm not alone in struggling with the juggling.
June 21, 2021
I loved this! I expected a potentially girl-boss type approach, but it was extremely practical. It even included scripts and templates for conversations.
May 4, 2017
Man this book was great! I feel like I am friends with Lauren and am so thankful she's talking about this much needed subject. Working moms - if you don't have a good friend to talk to about returning to work post baby - or even if you do! - read this. Such a real, it's gonna be okay, pep talk that gives practical solutions and tips on retuning to work and attempting to feel normal again. I hope to meet you one day, Lauren!
May 23, 2017
This book was a super informative read. Nice to hear different stories and advice on how to handle situations that may arise after baby is born. Made me feel like I wasn't alone with my concerns and worries. Definitely recommend to moms and moms to be.
September 16, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I have a 3 month old (today) and just started my 5th trimester with my baby 2 days ago. I did get some value out of this book, which is why I gave more than 1 star, but it wasn't from reading it from start to finish, it was by using the guide. I worked a corporate job from the time I graduated from my top 20 university with honors in 3 years until the end of my maternity leave and ended up taking a job from my birth center coordinating their insurance needs because they let me bring my baby to work with me. I did take the advice about leveraging my old company against my new company and I'll admit, Lauren is 100% right that it came down to if I felt valued at work and truly gained something from it. Turns out, I loved the company, but not the job and I left them in good standing to go to a job with a lesser salary, but a higher status, and the ability to breastfeed my baby on demand while doing a job I am good at, surrounded by people who had been supporting me since I started seeing them during my pregnancy.
What irritated me about this book is that it doesn't acknowledge attachment parenting needs or how much your mind actually changes after kids. I'm a stubborn over achiever who spent a quarter million on my education and now I'm still an over achiever (I honestly think parenting isn't as hard as people say it is), but it feels so much better to get a smile from my baby than it does to get a compliment from my boss. I've changed everything about my routine, I've gone almost completely organic, started making most of my own beauty products and my baby's wipes, diaper balm, etc, and my wardrobe is dictated by how quickly and discreetly I can get my baby a breast. I'm also much more modest than I was when I was pre-pregnancy. Parenthood changes everything, and I felt Lauren was trying to help you counter the effect of nature rather than embrace it.
I also felt like this book was not setting moms up for breastfeeding success in the chapter where she explains the view on leaving a bottle for dad. That is terrible advice if you want to keep up your supply. Pumping just doesn't do what a baby does. I used to pump when I had an oversupply in the first month and would get 6oz out of each in 10 minutes, but I now have a 18lb exclusively breastfed 3 month old (yes, 18lbs) and I tried pumping the other day when he slept in only to get 1 oz out of each breast in 20 minutes of pumping. My kid eats 6-8 oz in 5-10 minutes (I weigh him sometimes out of curiosity) so it's not that my supply isn't there, it's because my body wants to feed a baby, not a bottle. There are countless ways for your partner to connect with your baby that don't harm your supply. Our personal choice was that dad gets burping right after I finish feeding (when he is home) and he reads to our baby right before bed every night.
Overall, I just felt this book was trying to justify distancing yourself from your baby in order to feel better about leaving your child to work. I have nothing against working moms, but I also don't think you should fight your biological want to be with your child. Since I left my company I still keep up with my coworkers and have had so many of those women get defensive when I tell them about my new work arrangement and their response is always something like, "I love my baby, but it's so nice to go to work and get a break from him". I feel like that is something that people say to convince themselves they are not making the wrong decision by going back to work. Every women needs to make her own decision based on their wants and needs, but it's not bad to miss your child and admit that.
What irritated me about this book is that it doesn't acknowledge attachment parenting needs or how much your mind actually changes after kids. I'm a stubborn over achiever who spent a quarter million on my education and now I'm still an over achiever (I honestly think parenting isn't as hard as people say it is), but it feels so much better to get a smile from my baby than it does to get a compliment from my boss. I've changed everything about my routine, I've gone almost completely organic, started making most of my own beauty products and my baby's wipes, diaper balm, etc, and my wardrobe is dictated by how quickly and discreetly I can get my baby a breast. I'm also much more modest than I was when I was pre-pregnancy. Parenthood changes everything, and I felt Lauren was trying to help you counter the effect of nature rather than embrace it.
I also felt like this book was not setting moms up for breastfeeding success in the chapter where she explains the view on leaving a bottle for dad. That is terrible advice if you want to keep up your supply. Pumping just doesn't do what a baby does. I used to pump when I had an oversupply in the first month and would get 6oz out of each in 10 minutes, but I now have a 18lb exclusively breastfed 3 month old (yes, 18lbs) and I tried pumping the other day when he slept in only to get 1 oz out of each breast in 20 minutes of pumping. My kid eats 6-8 oz in 5-10 minutes (I weigh him sometimes out of curiosity) so it's not that my supply isn't there, it's because my body wants to feed a baby, not a bottle. There are countless ways for your partner to connect with your baby that don't harm your supply. Our personal choice was that dad gets burping right after I finish feeding (when he is home) and he reads to our baby right before bed every night.
Overall, I just felt this book was trying to justify distancing yourself from your baby in order to feel better about leaving your child to work. I have nothing against working moms, but I also don't think you should fight your biological want to be with your child. Since I left my company I still keep up with my coworkers and have had so many of those women get defensive when I tell them about my new work arrangement and their response is always something like, "I love my baby, but it's so nice to go to work and get a break from him". I feel like that is something that people say to convince themselves they are not making the wrong decision by going back to work. Every women needs to make her own decision based on their wants and needs, but it's not bad to miss your child and admit that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 13, 2021I hate this word, but I found this extremely triggering from the get-go and I knew it would bring me more anxiety than benefits from its content. For starters, if you are a white collar working mom with the income to afford a nanny or daycare, this is a great book for you. If you're blue collar and relying on the good grace of family members to care for your children while you're working, it's only going to ensue panic over how the heck you're going to find care for your children if God forbid something happened to your caretakers. In terms of my salary, I'd be considered one of those blue collar working moms. In the ocean of motherhood, time management, sanity, and mental health, I'm barely afloat with my nose and mouth above the water for air. So, much of the advice was well-meaning, but still farfetched for me personally. I mean really, just adding to my list of worries, many things that were non-issues before but now I'm suddenly wondering if I'm neglecting, like my relationship with my boss, or alone time with my husband, or caring for myself personally. I'm better off not rocking the boat by reading this.
March 30, 2019
I largely appreciated this book. Even though everything is actually going pretty smoothly (and many, many factors about my home and work make this transition a lot easier for me than it could be), I'm apparently in a moment of needing a lot of about that fact and am always interested in hearing whether other people have figured out some secret tricks that I haven't thought of. Parts of this book, like the make up advice and thoughts on adjusting to your new life without daily heels, made me squirm and this is very clearly mostly relevant to a certain class of professional, I ultimately feel about it the same way I feel about Lean In - it doesn't hold the key to large scale change that we actually need to engender a healthier and more equitable society, but as a woman in this world right now, why not take the tips that make life a little easier.
January 29, 2020
I picked this up after seeing the author speak at a conference, and read it before handing it off to my sis who is about to be a new mom. It read somewhat like a series of articles but with the same tone and themes throughout. The best chapter was the one at the end with tips for real life conversations about raises and priorities and more. Plus this gave me more ideas beyond its pages that I could apply in the real life adventure ahead of being an aunt.
May 10, 2017
I realize I'm not the first person to have a baby, but it is the first time for me, so I'm reading every possible book that will help me with this new life. The Fifth Trimester offers a lot of practical advice that can be helpful across many work environments. In the beginning of the book is a "if you're going back to work tomorrow guide" which lists page numbers of the most sought after, need-to-know advice, so you can quickly flip to those sections. I read the book in entirety and found it well laid out and organized. I liked that I could skip sections that didn't apply to me without losing any of the book's momentum. Now to remember this all come December ...
July 29, 2019
A good book to ease the minds of Mommas returning to working outside of the home. Not every section will pertain to everyone, but I finished the book with some ideas to put into practice immediately.
December 4, 2017
I stumbled upon this book by accident, and it has been one of the most informative books I have read all year. As a woman who had no choice but to return to work after baby, I'd be lying to say that I wasn't worried about the transition. Reading this book really set my mind as ease. I appreciated the author's perspective about how millennial women can be instrumental in changing the culture about working motherhood.
I am back to work now, and the transition has been both difficult and good. I like myself when I am working, and I like my work. I am happy to be back. I appreciated that the book made it ok for me to admit that. It doesn't make me less of a mother. I just like my professional self.
One other thing that really stood out to me was just a random tidbit of information about how on average babies don't sleep through the night until 6-7 months. It made me feel tremendously better about the fact that my baby still wakes up 2-3 (or on bad nights more) times per night. I just have to remember that this is a season, however crumby, that will pass soon enough.
I am back to work now, and the transition has been both difficult and good. I like myself when I am working, and I like my work. I am happy to be back. I appreciated that the book made it ok for me to admit that. It doesn't make me less of a mother. I just like my professional self.
One other thing that really stood out to me was just a random tidbit of information about how on average babies don't sleep through the night until 6-7 months. It made me feel tremendously better about the fact that my baby still wakes up 2-3 (or on bad nights more) times per night. I just have to remember that this is a season, however crumby, that will pass soon enough.
June 14, 2017
I'm a mom of a 10 month old boy, lucky enough to work in my family business and yet aware that I get both the joys of flexibility and the perception of being treated differently. At the time of reading, I've pretty much worked out my work transition but found it very helpful to have new perspective. For me, the home life part was harder and through some grace and finally some more sleep it's getting better there too.
Brody writes in a great style so you feel comfortable as if you are talking to a friend. I enjoy the conversational approach with sharing her research and the variety of women whose stories she shared. It's good to feel that you have options. The book took longer to read than it should, because... well baby boy, but I appreciated it. One of my greatest challenges was feeling that I'm so lucky I shouldn't complain/feel stressed about anything. It's nice to feel that you are not alone and that it's a normal transition period. Be grateful for what you have and ask for what you need.
Brody writes in a great style so you feel comfortable as if you are talking to a friend. I enjoy the conversational approach with sharing her research and the variety of women whose stories she shared. It's good to feel that you have options. The book took longer to read than it should, because... well baby boy, but I appreciated it. One of my greatest challenges was feeling that I'm so lucky I shouldn't complain/feel stressed about anything. It's nice to feel that you are not alone and that it's a normal transition period. Be grateful for what you have and ask for what you need.
June 16, 2017
This is excellent and practical advice for expecting moms who plan on returning to the workforce after maternity leave. I am in the midst of my own fifth trimester, and a lot of what she talked about were some struggles I am currently having. It was good to hear that these are common and will pass in time. I think one of the best tips she gave is to have a WMM (working mom mentor). I am fortunate to be working with a woman who I consider a friend who had her baby 1 year prior to me, so we have really connected even more on the working mom issues. I think in general I have found the most relief from talking and sharing with moms who just get what I'm going through without having to explain it. It is one of the most amazing tribes I can be a part of outside my own family. Read this book, glean what you can, and know that you will be ok!
The audiobook was narrated well.
The audiobook was narrated well.
June 20, 2017
How I loved this book! As a mama currently on unpaid maternity leave in NZ where we get 18 weeks paid (capped at minimum wage) and up to a year unpaid, I squirmed at the thought of women running back to work at week two or six or even 12! With my first it took up to 12 weeks for the stitches to stop hurting, with my second it's taken months to be able to walk properly (I developed pubis symphisis disorder, my pelvis separated too far).
The ideas on coping, the open discussion on parental leave, pumping and work/life balance and the humour Lauren Smith Brody wrote with had me hooked for the entire book!
It also makes me feel less like a renogade for wanting to work part-time instead of seeing my kids for a 45 minute window in the evening. Nothing against mamas who do that, but I really love being able to do crafts and go to the park and watch a movie with the 3 year old while the baby naps.
My fifth trimester might not be months 4-6 but I am soon to begin mine and I'm happy I got to read this book first.
The ideas on coping, the open discussion on parental leave, pumping and work/life balance and the humour Lauren Smith Brody wrote with had me hooked for the entire book!
It also makes me feel less like a renogade for wanting to work part-time instead of seeing my kids for a 45 minute window in the evening. Nothing against mamas who do that, but I really love being able to do crafts and go to the park and watch a movie with the 3 year old while the baby naps.
My fifth trimester might not be months 4-6 but I am soon to begin mine and I'm happy I got to read this book first.
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July 17, 2017One study of new working moms found that two things stand out as "the most significant facilitators of women's return to work" after leave: 1) satisfactory child care and 2) supportive relationships in the workplace. Translation: Who's taking care of you matters just as much as who's taking care of your baby. (Thank you, Work Wife Wendy!) 37
If you're trying to be a perfectionist mom, or perfectionist employee, you're going to fail, because there is no such thing as perfection, and a lot -- a lot -- of the things we need to do in business are messy and creative and innovative. When I think of the great, charismatic, successful mavericks of industry who are men, they're not buttoned up and in control all the time. As female role models, we shouldn't be either. -- Jennifer Dorian GM Turner Classic Movies pg 43
Generous minimum -- one notch above "good enough". Ideal minimum for me -- shower, conditioner, clean underwear. -- the minimum to feel like "myself".
Also applies generous minimum to other aspects of home life (housework
If you're trying to be a perfectionist mom, or perfectionist employee, you're going to fail, because there is no such thing as perfection, and a lot -- a lot -- of the things we need to do in business are messy and creative and innovative. When I think of the great, charismatic, successful mavericks of industry who are men, they're not buttoned up and in control all the time. As female role models, we shouldn't be either. -- Jennifer Dorian GM Turner Classic Movies pg 43
Generous minimum -- one notch above "good enough". Ideal minimum for me -- shower, conditioner, clean underwear. -- the minimum to feel like "myself".
Also applies generous minimum to other aspects of home life (housework
July 25, 2017
Some chapters more applicable than others, of course, but overall, a pretty handy guide to being a working mom and, honestly, a nice reminder of how good I have it w/r/t work. Admittedly, I skimmed some sections, like the chapter on being self-employed or owning your own business. She makes a good effort to include women in all kinds of professions (one of her interview subjects is a police detective who was working vice when her baby was born!), but it still feels most relevant to moms in office jobs, rather than in professions or positions that require shift work.
My favorite piece of advice is to be your own role model by thinking "What would [Iris's] mom do?"
My favorite piece of advice is to be your own role model by thinking "What would [Iris's] mom do?"
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