Meet Olivia: Navigating the Emotional Shift from New Mom to Working Mom

The Crossroads: Returning to Work Sooner Than Expected

Olivia always imagined taking a longer break after having her baby.

But reality looked different.

✔ She stopped working when she found out she was pregnant.
✔ After three months at home with her baby, she had to return to work to provide for them both.
✔ She likes her job—but if given the choice, she would stay home.

"I love my baby, and I do like my job—but if it were possible, I would stay home with him."

It wasn’t just about getting back to work—it was about being apart from someone she had spent nearly every moment with for a year.

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The Challenges: Separation Anxiety & Emotional Toll

• Going From 24/7 Together to Full-Time Apart
  "I had spent nine months carrying him, three months at home with him, and then—just like that—I had to leave him behind. It weighed me down a lot."
• The Emotional Whiplash of Motherhood & Work
  One day, she was a full-time mom. The next, she was a working parent, trying to focus while her heart was somewhere else.
• Feeling Like She Was Missing Milestones
  Would he roll over for the first time while she was at work?
  Would someone else hear his first real laugh?
  Would he forget that she was his safe place?

"I knew he was in good hands, but that didn’t make it easier."

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What Worked (and What She’d Do Differently)

✔ Staying Connected Throughout the Day
"I would constantly message my mother-in-law and FaceTime her to see my baby. She knew how hard it was for me, so she always sent photos."

✔ Easing the Transition by Practicing Short Separations
"If I could do it again, I would have prepared for the separation ahead of time. Maybe a few half-days away from him, just to get used to the feeling of being apart."

✔ Having a Comfort Routine for Pickups & Drop-offs
Rather than making the transition feel rushed, some moms find that having a consistent drop-off ritual (like singing the same goodbye song, using a special phrase, or sending baby with a comfort item that smells like home) makes it easier.

Would she do anything differently?
Yes—she wishes she had planned for the emotional transition just as much as the logistics.

"I didn’t expect how much separation anxiety I would have. I would have set up a routine ahead of time—like knowing I’d get check-ins at certain times of the day."

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Olivia’s Advice: Plan Ahead & Give Yourself Grace

✔ Make Sure You Fully Trust the Person Watching Your Baby
"Peace of mind is everything. Knowing your baby is safe makes all the difference."

✔ Ask for Updates, Photos & Check-Ins—It’s Okay to Need That Reassurance
"Don’t feel guilty for needing regular updates. It can help you feel more connected throughout the day."

✔ Ease Into the Transition If Possible
"If you can, try a gradual return—maybe half-days or a shorter workweek at first. It helps both you and your baby adjust."

✔ Give Yourself Time—It Won’t Always Feel This Hard
"The first days are the worst. But eventually, you find a rhythm, and it hurts a little less."

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Olivia’s Both& Moment: Working to Provide While Longing to Stay Home

Olivia’s story is a raw, honest reflection of what so many new moms go through—the tension between working to support their baby and wishing they could be with them instead.

✔ She felt both gratitude for her job and deep sadness in leaving her baby.
✔ She found a way to both show up for work and stay emotionally connected during the day.
✔ She realized she could both love her child and build a career—even if it wasn’t the perfect setup.

This wasn’t about choosing between work and motherhood—it was about finding a way to do both, even when it was hard.