A Cross Between Working Mom and Stay at Home Mom

About a week before Ryder was born, I was at a party and another mom asked me if I planned to return to work after the baby was born. I told her that I had no choice - if I wanted to be able to afford diapers for baby, I needed to keep working.  Then she asked how long I would take for maternity leave.

"Oh, yeah, I don't have maternity leave.  I'll have to be back at work as soon as physically possible." 

She looked at me like I was crazy.  "You won't be able to go back to work the day after you give birth!  You need at least six weeks off."

I tried to explain that as a small business owner, and wearer of many hats, I don't have the luxury of taking time off.  There are far too many tasks here at the boutique that require my handiwork.  I agonized over this for months before the baby came - how is this going to work?  How am I going to be able to take care of an infant while keeping things at work running smoothly? 

But, things have been working out well.  Ryder was born on a Wednesday and I was back at the office on Monday.  He has a pack-n-play crib to take naps in and play in and when he's not so happy, my mom and I take turns rocking him.  Dad's here too for guest appearances when only Dad's funny faces will do the trick.

Twice a day, I feed the baby in my office.  Gus brought in a super comfy lazy boy and I have a boppy pillow just for work.  I put on a program on Hulu and the baby nurses.

He's a happy baby and we're lucky that he rarely cries for anything other than his next meal. 

You don't have to be a working mom or a stay-at-home mom.  You can be a working mom with a kidlet attached to you all day.  It is possible to be a mommy and run a business - you just need a very supportive staff.  Oh - and having your mom there really helps!  (Thanks, Mom!)