Thinking about non-traditional maternity leave
I just posted this on the MomsRising blog.
My friend Lisa Witter is Chief Operating Officer of Fenton Communications, a leading progressive communications and branding firm. Lisa is also the author of The SheSpot, which is the book on why women are key to achieving social change.
Lisa has two little boys, one just turned two, and one is three months old. She told me recently of her novel approach to maternity leave and flexible working. Lisa brings insight about what works for her as a mom, but also what works for her business as COO. Here’s what she did for her second leave:
“I found taking three and a half months off was isolating and didn’t work for me the first time.
With the second baby, I took 6 weeks formal leave, during which I checked in on email and sat in on conference calls. My parents and in-laws stayed with us during that time.
After six weeks, I worked 5 days in the office- I don’t have to, I choose to. I work better at the office. I’d bring the baby in whenever I felt like it. My older son would stay with the nanny, sometimes I’d meet them both in the park and she would take the baby home with her and I would go back to the office.
Now, I’m taking 2 weeks in August off, and all of December. At first I felt guilt about not taking a longer leave but I though, ‘If I’m not happy my child isn’t happy.’
This arrangement is a really good option for an employer too, if you can work out where you’re slower times are. It works better for me in my business because August tends to be slower, as does December.”
For me, I’m self-employed and need to engage in both business development and client services. For me, a long maternity leave was out of the question, but I structure my life at work to fit my parenting needs by working a flexible schedule year round. I took about two months and then started to jump in slowly to work.
What other non-traditional—but satisfying— maternity leaves have you seen?
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About Me
Morra Aarons-Mele utilizes social media strategies to help employers, employees and communities connect. She also consults with leading organizations on how women can use the internet for professional and personal development. In her spare time, Morra enjoys blogging about women and politics. Read her full bio >>
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