It might be the toughest stretch of time for moms: postpartum. Between the lack of sleep, recovery from birth and adjustment to a new normal, the period after birth can be grueling—and lonely. But a new survey from Lansinoh shows you’re not alone if you’re struggling: 88% of moms surveyed said they weren’t prepared for the postpartum period and more than 95% think moms need more support from society.
Almost every mom-to-be has a birth plan, but not many have a plan for recovery. The survey showed that only 11% of moms had that plan, even though 90% recommended that new moms prepare for the days and weeks after birth. And there were common struggles that the group faced. Nearly 3/4 said that they were unprepared for breastfeeding, 66% cited mental health concerns and 65% said they weren’t prepared for the lack of sleep.
One word representing postpartum experience
Postpartum support is essential and support in the workforce is extra important, with 72% of moms currently working, according to PEW Research. This survey revealed that above all else, moms want stronger government policies for working parents, especially since the US is the only industrialized country without a federal paid maternity leave policy.
As fellow parents, we know how tough the transition to motherhood can be, even with all the magic it brings. That’s why we have thousands of articles with tips, tricks and hacks to make life with baby a bit easier. And Lansinoh also offers 100% insurance covered breast pumps to moms nationwide—just fill out a quick online form and simplify one part of postpartum.
A new study has ranked the countries with the best maternity leave and spoiler––the U.S. is not at the top.
Business.org has analyzed data from the OECD Family Database, which includes 37 countries worldwide, to figure out where to get the best perks for maternity leave. The site ranked the highest countries as those having the most number of equivalent weeks of full pay.
photo: Business.org
The top countries were Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Hungary and Italy which all offered more than 17 weeks of paid maternity leave. Who ranked dead last? If you guessed the United States, you’d be right.
Since the U.S. doesn’t require employers to provide paid maternity leave, the majority do not. Women must either have the luck to find a job that offers it as benefit, or take personal leave hours. Sure, the FMLA act does provide for 12 weeks of unpaid leave, which protects a women’s job, but it does not come with any compensation.
Here’s to hoping that the future looks a whole lot brighter for family leave in America.
If you’re in major family planning mode, it might also be a good time for a career change. Career Expert site Zippia recently studied the best and worst jobs for expecting moms who are looking for paid maternity leave (because who isn’t?) and the results are pretty interesting.
Zippia scraped over one million job listings to determine which companies were likely to offer paid maternity leave by searching for specific keywords. Those jobs with the highest percentage of keywords offered the most maternity leave benefits. Here’s what they discovered.
The following job titles had over 10 percent of listings that mentioned maternity leave:
1. Senior Reliability Engineer
2. Lead Engineer
3. Electronics Tehnician
4. Senior Recruiter
5. Technical Support Engineer
6. Technical Recruiter
7. Compliance Analyst
8. Sales Manager
9. Software Test Engineer
10. Enterprise Account Executive.
Notably, all of these job titles require tons of experience and don’t apply to the majority of job seekers who likely work in entry or mid-level careers.
Zippia also noted the worst job options when it comes to getting paid maternity leave, with less that 1 percent offering the benefit:
1. Cook
2. Server
3. Sales Engineer
4. Case Manager
5. Architect
6. Sales Specialist
7. Machine Operator
8. Systems Administrator
9. Administrative Assistant
10. Material Handler
Many of the worst job options for paid maternity leave pay less than $30,000 annually, adding to the already difficult challenges of how moms can afford to take time off for baby. Obviously not everyone can afford to make a huge career change, but knowing which jobs offer a paid leave definitely helps when it comes to planning––and waiting for the U.S. to finally get its act together on offering a national paid maternity leave program.
The baby industry is constantly evolving, and it’s because there are some amazing women at the helm. From vegan accessories and revolutionary feeding gear, to back-saving baby carriers, mom inventors are changing the face of what it means to manage the newborn and infant stage. Keep scrolling to see our favorite baby gear products that will have you saying, “oh baby!”
Skin-to-Skin Bonding: Bonsie
Mom of two and former clinical social worker, Anna Turcotte knows the benefits of skin-to-skin contact between babies and caregivers. With her experience, she set out to create babywear that encouraged skin-to-skin contact but also kept babies comfortable. Bonsie, a combination of "bonding" and "onesie" was born! Each onesie is made with double-layered flaps connected by an ultra-soft hook and loop fastener. Once the two flaps are open, baby's chest and belly are fully exposed for skin-to-skin connection. Parents can shop in sizes ranging from newborn to 9 months in comfy bamboo and cotton blends.
Safe Sleeping: Swaddle Sleeves by Two Baby Bears Co.
Umma Shekhani and her daughter loved swaddles, but when it came time to transition out of the original style, they weren't having much luck. All the options kept her too warm or offered just a little too much freedom. In a moment of desperation, Umma sketched and sewed the first version of Swaddle Sleeves, gently weighted sleeves that offer comfort. Since then, Swaddles Sleeves has expanded to even more products that include swaddle pods, sleep sacks, and footie pajamas. Products come with double zippers for quick changes and non-weighted "Mitten Sleeves" that can be worn when weighted sleeves aren't needed.
Healthynest: EWG-Verified Diapers, Cleaning, Skincare and More
Tonje Thilesen
Founded in the Fall of 2020 by Shazi Visram (she’s also the founder of Happy Family Organics and mom to a 10-year-old son and five-year-old daughter), Healthynest is the first brain-forward brand for expectant and new parents to navigate their baby’s developmental health. What does that mean exactly? To start, Healthynest pairs products with science-backed enrichment activities to help parents navigate raising kids starting from day one. So while you place an order for the first-ever EWG-Verified diaper, EWG-Verified cleaning system and EWG-Verified Skincare system, you can also learn how to introduce texture to babies or discover if your tap water is safe to drink thanks to Healthynest’s tutorials and videos.
As a mom of two, Sara Parant was frustrated with all the buttons, zippers and snaps that came on infant clothes. Realizing tons of other parents felt the same way, she set out to design a no-snap onesie that would change the way we dress and change babies. Peasy Co. grew and developed a full line of sustainable, progressive infant basics. The company provides comfort for babes and super quick diaper changes, using hypoallergenic, quick-trying, anti-microbial and breathable fabric.
Amber Thibaut grew up as the daughter of a Maui waterman, which connected her strongly to the island culture. Late one night while nursing her son, she realized the blanket she reached for held no special meaning or connection to Hawaii, which embodied arts, tradition and community. That night, Coco Moon was born. Now, Thibaut's brand specializes in buttery-soft baby goods that are all inspired by memories of a childhood in Hawaii. Parents can shop island-inspired quilts, security and throw blankets, swaddles and clothing with whimsical prints and the softest materials.
Taeler Horak was a first time mom and she already despised trying to snap baby clothes in the middle of the night. Armed with her great grandmother's sewing machine, she set out to make the first ankle to ankle zippered baby romper. When local moms began asking for custom orders, Horak knew she was on to something. After creating her own website, rebranding and a soft launch on Facebook, Zipease, LLC was born. The female-owned and run business now employs four more women who make the company's entire inventory in house.
After having her second child and returning to work, Krystal Nicole Duhaney struggled with her milk supply like many moms. As a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant she knew there were not enough resources for breastfeeding mothers and wanted to come up with a solution for low milk supply. Using her medical background, Duhaney came up with a milk-making cookie recipe and in November of 2015, Milky Mama was born! Today, Milky Mama's product line includes Lactation Cookies, Brownies, Emergency Brownies, Tropical Iced Tea, Lactation LeMOOnade, Lactation Smoothie Mix, and Herbal Supplements. In addition to offering products, the company also facilitates weekly Facebook chats and a lactation support group so women can come alongside each other in support.
Towards the end of her maternity leave, Becca Davidson's mom offered to watch her daughter once a week. Her mom was really looking forward to spending some quality time with her new granddaughter, but soon realized that because of some arthritis in her thumb, she wasn't able to press the red button hard enough to release the buckle on the carseat. After realizing that a federal regulation required 9 pounds of pressure to release the button for safety reasons, Davidson and her mom set out find a solution. As an Occupational Therapist, Davidson's mother created a tool using splint material, which used leverage to reduce the force needed to unbuckle, and UnbuckleMe was born!. The duo refined the design, ran a successful Kickstarter campaign, attended dozens of events, acquired patents and continues to spread awareness.
Susan Bortone's two kids were never good sleepers. They loved to snuggle and always wanted a soft toy to hold but Bortone never wanted to leave an unsafe toy in the crib, which meant they would wake often looking for their lovey. After trying every sleep trick in the book, she started sketching and making a protoype that combined the security of a sleep sack and a safe toy all in one. When her daughter tried it for the first time, shel slept through the night! Now, Snuggy Buddy is in production and taking pre-orders for the breathable sleep snack made from muslin with a weighted butterfly with soft plush wings stitched at chest level. In addition to providing a safe sleep experience, Snuggy Buddy is also partnering with a charity, donating fabric for them to make blankets for babies in need.
Beth Fynbo was tired of the "toddler toss," when littles keep throwing things on the floor or putting their mouth on germy restaurant tables. In response, she created the Busy Baby Mat, a food-grade silicone placemat that firmly sticks on just about any surface including shopping cart handles, floors and tables. The innovative silicone tethers attach to toys to keep them in arms reach and the placemat is perfect for eating, and even drawing on!
Bekah Marsden didn't love when her baby’s bibs or changing mats got stained and gross. As a mom, she set out to create a product that would stand the test of time and look stylish while doing it. That's when she came up with vegan leather bibs and changing mats for her site, Bek & Jet. The amazingly soft products can be easily wiped down after each use––no more stains!
Mom of three Dahlia Rizk was sick and tired of wrestling her kids in and out of coats when it came time to getting into the car seat. She imagined a time when zippers weren't in the middle of coats and then instant excitement came! Rizk applied for a patent and some time later, the world’s first and only car seat-safe winter coat was born. Her genius design means that car seat straps and harnessed go under the coats and not on top, and are crash tested. They passed the first time around! Buckle Me Baby Coats are evaluated by CPSTs, first responders, and EMTs too but her "biggest experts are the kids who love not having coats forced off and on them all the time and parents who love having one less thing to worry about!"
While on a family vacation, Carla Schneider’s infant son could not be consoled. When his pacifer wouldn't stay in his mouth, the mom grabbed the hotel sewing kit and sewed her son’s favorite stuffed toy to a pacifier. Instantly he was comforted, and this was the start of WubbaNub. Twenty years later Schneider still owns and operates the brand while remaining true to her original mission: "Comforting and soothing one baby at a time while raising funds and awareness surrounding illnesses that afflict newborns."
Tammy Rant and Sara Azadi created TushBaby out of complete necessity. Back and hip pain led them to question: was there a better way to carry their kids? When traditional carriers didn't work, the idea to create a strapless baby carrier was born. After pitching their idea on Shark Tank, Tushbaby has taken off, finding a market in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The memory-lined seat comes with extra storage for essentials, and is perfect for any caregivers, from mom and dad to grandparents!
Lisa Sutherland and Kiyah Duffy are moms with seven kids between them. Both women have Ph.D.’s in nutrition and a shared passion for food, creativity and an interest in helping little ones learn to feed themselves. They knew what parents could do to help kids succeed at mealtime and learn to love eating healthy foods but didn't see the right tools to help them do that. Kizingo spoons work with the way young children hold and use utensils, making it easier for them to bring the food from their plate to their mouth! Why is this important? Kids who can feed themselves are less likely to overeat and less likely to become picky eaters because they retain control over mealtime.
When Natalie Riley's daughter was young and riding in a stroller, inevitably, she would demand to be carried. Natalie always ended up carrying her daughter in one arm and pushing the empty set of wheels with the other. The same goes for hiking—Natalie found herself carrying her daughter in her arms with an empty baby transporter on her back. She needed a tiny baby carrier that she could carry in her pocket or use as a purse while her daughter is walking, and so Tady—a baby carrier that can support up to 60 lbs and easily converts into a diaper bag—was born.
Give your babe a leg up in the sleep department with Bumbershoots by Nana. These oh-so-soft sleep sacks are designed and hand sewn by Judy Carr (aka Nana), a grandmother who works out of her Maryland studio using patterns she has made and refined over time. Bumbershoots by Nana was born when her grandson was transitioning out of a swaddle and into a sleep sack. Judy noticed that even more expensive sacks seemed cheaply made and didn't wear well. In part due to her grandmotherly love, and in part due to her entrepreneurial spirit, Judy decided to fix that problem—her high-quality, reverse-lined sleep sacks are functional (they hold up extremely well to machine washes and everyday use) and fun (check out their designs here). Fun fact: Bumbershoots by Nana stocks multiples in each size, but is also able to produce 30 or so a week without assistance.
Lizzy Ellingson co-founded Blueprint Registry after experiencing her own frustrations with traditional wedding registries. She wanted a more fun, visual process—and it turns out she wasn't the only one. After having her first baby, she discovered that the baby registry world had the same problems and so she expanded Blueprint's platform into a baby registry with the goal of helping to educate new moms along the way. New parents can not only rest easy knowing Blueprint has the lowest credit card processing fee in the industry, but they can also shop from a visual blueprint of their nursery and add gifts from any retailer to their registry to fit their needs.
Julie Wilson and Amy Livingston founded Cheeky Chompers while on maternity leave after their first babies were born. They noticed a gap in the market for a teether that attached to a baby and that’s when the innovative Neckerchew was born! What’s a Neckerchew? It’s a highly absorbent, reversible cotton dribble bib with a silicone teether integrated right into the design. After the success of the Neckerchew, they went on to invent the Comfortchew, Chewy the attachable sensory hippo teether, the Cheeky Blanket, the organic MultiMuslin (it’s a nursing cover, stroller cover, teether, burp cloth, swaddle and blanket all in one) and the Muslin Comforter. These two mamas and their innovative thinking are streamlining the world of baby gear.
When TWELVElittle baby bags came on the scene, new moms everywhere sighed with relief. Stylish, practical (read: wipeable) diaper bags and accessories that feel designer-worthy without the outrageous price tag. Mom and designer Julia Min founded TWELVElittle to simplify and elevate new mom style. And she's succeeded! In addition to diaper bags and backpacks that you'll be toting around long after they are potty-trained, they also make backpacks for kids, smaller bags for storage (we love this striped bag trio) and the popular 12 LITTLE WONDERS dangles, inspired by the Chinese zodiac and made to customize any bag.
For any mom who has ever pumped for their nursing babes, you know how precious every drop can be. When her son Henry was born in 2008, Helen Anderson was working as an ER nurse and still breastfeeding. So she came up with a business, Milkies, and a product to help save time and make sure not a drop of the liquid gold was lost: Milk-Saver. The Milk-Saver collects the milk that leaks in between nursing or pumping (you know what we mean).
We’re pretty sure that Ayesha Curry doesn’t sleep. Not only is she a mother of two beautiful kiddos and wife of Golden State all-star Stephen Curry, but she also’s a cookbook author, hosts her own show on the Food Network, Ayesha’s Homemade, and is the co-founder of the recently launched Cheeky Baby. Partnered with Cheeky Kids, this line of reusable, high-quality plastic and silicone dinnerware products are designed just with little ones in mind. They help foster independence at meal-time with trainer and sippy cups, feeding spoons, traditional baby cutlery, and even a line of self-feeding cutlery; non-slip bowls and more, all with whimsical-but-chic patterns and animal characters. And if you need one more reason to love this woman, for every Cheeky Baby item purchased, a meal will be donated to a child in need through No Kid Hungry.
Catherine Merritt has been a long-time supporter of moms: she’s the genius behind MUMZY, the first and only crowdfunding platform for moms. Catherine sold MUMZY last year and is on to her newest venture, Finnbin. Co-founded with Shawn Bercuson (entrepreneur and superdad), Finnbin brings the Finnish tradition to the U.S. for the first time ever. What is a Finnbin? It’s a cardboard box full of newborn items, including bibs, bedding, clothing, a swaddle, bath essentials and more. The best part? The box can actually be used as baby’s first bed. Don’t believe us? The Finns have been doing this for more than 80 years! We love these self-contained boxes that pair down the clutter and focus on what you need for your new arrival, so you can focus on baby! “To play a role in providing the peace of mind to new parents is such an incredible feeling as an entrepreneur and a fellow mom,” says Catherine.
Maya Shalev, founder of Grabease is a problem solver. As a busy lawyer, mediator and mother of three, she experienced all of the typical frustrations of parenting, including watching her little one repeatedly not be able to hold on to the spoon when trying to self-feed. So, she invented a better product: grabease utensils ($14.95), available on Amazon. These adorable fork and spoon sets are squat enough that tiny hands can grasp and control with ease, plus they are safer than regular "toddler" flatware: the handle is ergonomically designed and there's a choke barrier. It comes in several colors (including dark gray, teal, orange and white), and you can even grab a handy carrying pouch that tucks into your diaper bag or purse. The best part? It helps them develop motor skills right before your eyes. BPA free. Grabease also recently launched a 2 in 1 silicone spoon + teether, a double-sided toothbrush that helps helps with baby and toddler oral care and an all-over bib that helps to make the dinner mess less stressful.
You love all the notes and stick-figure drawings, but it doesn’t take long for paper to take over your house. That’s why moms Karla “neatnick” the Losen and Jennifer organization queen” McAllister-Nevins got together and invented The Keepsake Box by Savor, designed to help you keep treasures and cull the chaos. There are two versions: The Library: Baby Keepsake Box and The Library: School Years Keepsake Box. Each box includes a handcrafted, book cloth case; pre-categorized labels; 9 drawers for tiny things and 8 vertical files (baby version) or 16 vertical files (school years); a birthday survey for yearly highlights and more. It’s like scrapbooking without the scrapbooking. Everything is contained, sleek and easy to browse through so you can walk down memory lane anytime. As an added bonus, they look cute on the shelf. Stop shoving those things in a bin and start organizing your treasures! Prices start at $69.95.
Week 40, Day 6 (Morning):
I feel SO huge and I’m so over being pregnant. I’ve been on maternity leave for two weeks, and I assumed by this point I’d be cuddling my baby. Instead, I’m lugging around a fully formed human in my body and I’m having a hard time getting comfortable.
Week 40, Day 6 (Afternoon):
I go to visit my OBGYN in the hopes that she will take one look at me and proclaim “THIS WOMAN IS IN ACTIVE LABOR!” Instead, it’s a routine appointment where she tells me that I’m showing no signs of labor.
BUT THEN, EXCITEMENT! She tells me that she is going to call the hospital to schedule my induction for tomorrow!
Week 41, Day 1 (8:00 AM):
My husband Brendan and I arrive at the hospital and are shown to our room. A Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurse enters to get me set up and check my cervix for signs of dilation. If you’d never had your cervix checked, this is what happens:
1. With gloved hands a medical professional sticks two fingers into your vagina.
2. They get their fingers all the way up and back until they feel your cervix.
3. They check to see if your cervix is opened (or dilated) and do a measurement in centimeters on how open it is. Your cervix needs to go from ZERO to TEN centimeters wide in order for a baby to fit through.
The L&D nurse tells me to put the bottom of my feet together to make a froggy pose while she checks my cervix.
She tells me that I’m at maybe half a centimeter dilated. Then she gives me my first dose of misoprostol, a pill that will slowly make my cervix dilate and induce my labor (hopefully.)
Week 41, Day 1 (2:00 PM):
My L&D nurse comes to check my cervix again and give me a second dose of misoprostol or “miso” as they call it. I am hopeful that my cervix is cooperating but I am still at a half centimeter dilated. She tells me that her shift is ending and introduces me to my new nurse.
This nurse is a lot older and definitely more seasoned.
One of the first things my new nurse says to me is this:
“When the time comes, you need to push. You need to push, push, push! So many people go through all of this dilating, they get all the way to ten, and then they can’t push. You need to push!”
I stare at her intently and swear to her that I will push when I am dilated to ten.
Week 41, Day 2 (2:00 AM):
We’ve been at the hospital all day and into the night, and very little has happened.
Two L&D nurses come in to give me another dose of miso and to check my cervix. One of the nurses is training and is obviously nervous. She goes ahead and starts to check my cervix. I can feel her fingers shaking inside me.
While she is in there, she looks at her colleague and hesitantly says, “um…four?” to which I bolt up in total excitement.
Her trainer looks at her in disbelief and asks nicely, “Are you sure?” Then she checks my cervix. Turns out I’m still at one.
Week 41, Day 2 (8:00 AM):
A new, really great nurse comes in. Her name is Chris and she is definitely my favorite nurse! I’m now dilated to two!
Week 41, Day 2 (12:00 PM):
As I walk to the bathroom something falls out of me. It looks like a jellyfish blob. Chris is with me and she says, “Looks like you lost your mucus plug!” and then grab a paper towel and picks it up. I think about how grateful I am that people are willing to do this job.
Week 41, Day 2 (3:00 PM):
I am now dilated to four centimeters, and things are heating up. I’m starting to get cramps that feel like a really bad period. The nurses ask me what my pain management preferences are, and I say I prefer to not feel any pain! They call for the anesthesiologist to put in my epidural.
Week 41, Day 2 (9:00 PM):
Things are getting real. Here’s what’s happening:
I am dilated near ten.
To help speed everything along, the team has given me pitocin, and it makes me vomit. A lot.
The intense older drill sergeant nurse is back! She gives me a look as if to say “Remember your training, do not disappoint me.”
My OBGYN is having dinner at home with her family. What?!
Week 41, Day 2 (9:15 PM):
The nurses all agree that it’s time for me to start pushing. They are calling the doctor who is on her way.
The drill sergeant nurse takes over. She instructs Brendan to help me hold my knees back towards my ears.
The drill sergeant waits until my next contraction comes and tells me to hold my breath and push. They count to ten while I push and feel like my head is about to explode from the pressure.
Finally, my OBGYN comes running into the room.
Week 41, Day 2 (9:15 PM):
The doctor takes one look and says, “Oh! Hi baby! We can see the top of your head!”
The OBGYN tells me when my next contraction is and I push hard again. Each push is the most exhausting thing I’ve ever done, and I vomit after each one. But I hold my breath and bear down as they count each time.
I do one last, hard push and I feel the doctor pull what feels like a massive thing out of my body.
That thing is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. My son is born!
Week 41, Day 2 (9:20 PM):
Amazingly I stop throwing up and suddenly feel 100% better. As I hold my little goo-covered miracle I am filled with a sense of accomplishment. The waiting was worth it!
A bouquet of freshly-picked flowers. (Champagne) breakfast in bed. Five minutes to breathe (or shower) without interruption. While these Mother’s Day gifts are all fine and dandy, here’s another way to celebrate Sunday, May 9: Support Chicagoland-based small businesses run by some of the coolest moms in town! Take a look at how these women balance creative careers and kids (while, in some cases, also creating all-new programming that helps your family thrive). . . during a worldwide pandemic.
Briana Beazley of Nadia Girl
Nadia Girl, owned by local mom Briana Beazley, makes tween clothing that not only feels and fits great but also helps girls feel more confident. All of the line’s designer duds are made of sustainable materials, with a portion of sales dedicated to organizations that empower girls through education.
“I began seeing my daughter struggling with her self-confidence while also being challenged to find her quality clothing that fits well,” shared Beazley. “I quickly learned that my daughter wasn’t alone. According to studies, girls as young as 9 often begin feeling insecure about themselves and their bodies. Poor-fitting clothing can make them feel even more self-conscious, insecure, and uncomfortable in their skin.”
How does Beazley manage mom-ing while running a sustainable tween fashion line? “I believe I balance running a creative business as a woman entrepreneur and being a mom probably the same way every other parent has to: I have learned to juggle. Some days are better than others! But my daughter really helps give me a great insight into the clothing her and her friends like and are looking for. And I’m incredibly grateful to have a daughter who is fairly self-sufficient now, which makes a big difference, especially when we are all at home!”
I opened Purple Monkey Playroom when my daughter was just shy of turning two,” explained Jessica Roubitchek, owner of Bucktown’s fave playspace. “I made the decision to keep the nanny I had initially hired when my maternity leave ended, even though what I was able to pull from my brand-new business often didn't cover the cost of retaining her. It was an investment in the future of my business and was the only way that I could have made a go of it. I am happy to report that it was the right decision and that eight years later, we are still going strong.”
Purple Monkey is a bright, nurturing destination for young children, parents and caregivers, offering drop-in play times, parties and more. In this time of social distancing, they are currently offering small group and private playtime. They managed to sneak in a small design-on-a-dime renovation during COVID shutdowns, so they're excited to showcase their upgrades.
Tired of the same old tight, short, and sparkly clothing options for their three girls, Kristen Flather, together with her husband, Fred, started Makoshey, a clothing company that focuses on comfy, stylish and durable duds made to keep up with girls who want to climb, explore, invent, dream, run, play and create.
Makoshey’s t-shirts are proudly printed in Chicago, and feature an ideal blended fabric pairing a super soft feel with reliable durability.
In 2019, Valerie Kahan decided she was done being torn between work and spending time with her kids. So she set out to build a business of her own: Art Makers Outpost, an environmentally conscious art makers-space for young artists and adults.
“I created Art Makers Outpost in part as a way to share creative, quality time with my kids. It’s a place where we can always be creating, side-by-side, as co-workers working on our own things, or on new art and ideas, together during closed hours. My kids often are the ones that come up with the project ideas for our classes!"
Randi Whitman was a professional dancer in her 20’s when she ruptured a disc in her lumbar spine. “I tried everything to mend myself without surgery,” said Whitman. “Nothing was really doing the trick. Then, I discovered Pilates.”
Today Whitman teaches her clients how to strengthen their bodies as “a whole picture, vs. pieces and parts”, via Pilates, a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. Her bright, airy Bucktown studio, Frog Temple Pilates, offers group classes, private and semi-private lessons, as well as massage therapy.
“Balancing being a mom and a small business owner is truly a challenge,” said Whitman. “My husband and I really take on sharing the responsibilities, of which I am grateful for! Carpools, homework, sports, recitals, playdates, not to mention cooking and keeping the house in order on top of running the business is extremely challenging, but I do love it. That is not to say I am not falling over exhausted at the end of the day. Both of my “lives” are my passions. I love what I do. I help so many people get their lives back every day.”
Cookbook author and journalist Anupy Singla wears many hats. She’s the author of three books, including Indian For Everyone; a regular commentator on NPR; a culinary instructor at Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, and Whole Foods Market and the founder of a fast-growing food and housewares company, Indian As Apple Pie. She’s also the mom of two girls.
“I began writing an Indian food blog to better feed my young girls and immerse them in Indian cuisine, something I still keep at the heart of everything I do, no matter how busy my days get. Even if my work world is spinning out of control around me, I always try to ensure that everything flows into the idea of having homecooked meal options for my family by day's end. That means spending time on a Sunday organizing my following week starting with recipe testing for the blog and my books. Once I have that covered and dinner planned out, it's so much easier to fill the rest of my hours with other key elements including product development, fulfilling orders, and social media posts and marketing. My most successful work and home weeks start with planning."
For Mother's Day, Singla suggests paying a visit to her website indianasapplepie.com, where on the home page you'll see links to three categories of products. Folks can purchase a cookbook (which Singla will personally sign upon request), a set of lentils, and a pack of spices or spice blends, “the perfect combination of gourmet tastes, culinary adventure, and health.” All of Singla’s spice blends are roasted and ground in the United States, uncommon for spice blends, and the Tikka Masala sauce is one of the few vegan sauces of its kind on the market.
Stephanie Hart notes that opening her own business, Brown Sugar Bakery, in 2004, gave her more time to focus on being a mom. As she transformed from tech consultant to mompreneur, baking up her "dangerously delicious" cheesecakes, cupcakes, cobblers, cookies, pies and more at her Greater Grand Crossing bakery, she relished the extra time spent with her daughter. Her daughter is now a professional opera singer debuting at both the Lyric and Chicago Opera Theatre in 2019 while also still helping mom out with the bakery’s virtual branding strategy. Hart’s hard work paid off. She went on to open a second location, on Navy Pier, and was awarded America's Best Bakery on the Steve Harvey Show.
Brown Sugar Bakery prides itself on being a part of joyous family occasions and creating the taste of sweet memories. The bakery is best known for its specialty sweets, including sweet potato pie, peach cobbler and bread pudding as well as nearly 20 cake flavors, including German chocolate, red velvet, carrot and turtle.
Countless Chicago kids have learned to swim in the shiver-free pools at Goldfish Swim School (Roscoe Village and Wicker Park), co-owned by local mom Kathy Ryan and her husband, Bob. Goldfish Swim School provides year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years-old in a unique setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes (max 4:1 student to teacher ratio), shiver-free 90-degree pools, and a state-of-the-art water purification system. Families with children of different ages and skill levels can conveniently have all of their swimmers in the pool during the same half-hour time slot.
“Your kids get what they need from you even in these stressful times—whether I'm working or not, I aim to maintain a strong connection with my kids,” said Ryan. “There is a lot of social and emotional pressure right now, but no one has a map of how to handle this and we need to just remember to be kind to ourselves and others.”
Tai Kojro-Badziak is a partner with zpd+a, a Chicago-based architecture firm with projects nationwide. “We focus on adaptive reuse, mixed-use/ multi-family new construction, hospitality, senior housing and some residential,” explained Kojro-Badziak. “We were aggressively expanding and considering hiring up to three new people at the beginning of March. . . and then everything was upended. I was watching the spread of COVID-19 since early January, and in early March we rapidly transitioned to a work-from-home scenario for our entire team a week before the official shelter-in-place orders. We have a home studio space that is now my architecture firm and a kindergarten classroom!
Running an architecture firm from home while simultaneously homeschooling isn’t for the faint of heart. “My secret to getting anything done is to write a list of targets for the day and the week, and focus on just a few each day. That happens on many levels, since we are managing the staff remotely, and that also includes everyone's energy and emotions. We make sure to have some laughs: a weekly office competition and happy hour chat for work, and long runs and bike rides for our family. And my husband and I make sure to take deep breaths, give each other and our 6-year-old the space to feel all the feels these days. No doubt, it's hard! But good communication, making art, taking hot baths, and wine are helping me through!”
When Liz Hansen founded Chicago Boudoir Photography studio, she aimed to offer a Victoria's-Secret-style photoshoot experience for the everyday woman. “Women in every stage of life and in every size and shape walk out of the boudoir studio feeling empowered and celebrated. I opened the photo studio because I believe that every woman is beautiful and that every woman deserves to feel confident through gorgeous portraits.”
Hansen also aimed to create a life that prioritized family. “One of the great things about owning my own business is that I get to customize the business to work for our family. My business focuses on a very personalized experience for each client, so I limit the number of photoshoots I do each month. This allows me to pamper my clients individually and also have family time. As with everything in life, there are always trade-offs, but I ultimately believe being an entrepreneur and business owner will set an example for my children that will help them achieve their goals in life—whatever those turn out to be!”
Sara Fisher and Caitlin Giles founded 2 Moms Media LLC in 2011 after the dynamic mom duo realized a need to improve how brands reach moms. “Because we are moms and marketers ourselves, we can provide unparalleled expertise when it comes to connecting clients with their target audience of parents, women and other influencers,” said Fisher, mom of two boys. “We work with our clients to create and execute integrated marketing campaigns that deliver real results in line with strategy and budget.
Our services include media outreach, influencer management, grassroots marketing tactics, events, social media management, marketing analysis, brand positioning and more.”
“Our kids have really grown up alongside our business,” shared mom-of-three Murray Giles. “Over the past decade, it has been fun to have them involved in our work—whether it is helping out at a community event, working with us to assemble media boxes or excitedly reporting that their friends are planning to have their birthday party at a new business we are promoting. Every day is generally packed with work and kids' activities and we do our best to juggle it all—just like every working mom does!”
A stop into Monica’s Monica + Andy shops (or a virtual website visit) should be a must-do on every mom’s shopping list. This mom created this oh-so-adorable kids’ and baby shop for the sole purpose of making things better for moms and their babies, focusing on everything from better fabrics to better ways to shop for them. From this simple concept grew a space where moms come together to not only shop, but bond at one of the many events that encompass singing, dancing, bubbles, music, yoga, laughter and learning. Best part? The larger events always have a charity that benefits.
Monica shared, "My mom explained to me once as a kid that she would always tell me what I needed to hear vs. what I wanted to hear. She said, You will have many friends in life but only one mom.” And her advice to young girls looking to carve their own paths, "Dream big, but know the path might be long. You will eventually get to where you want to go but don't be afraid to work hard doing and learning as much as you can in your 20's. It is not always about specific job duties. Interacting with people is sometimes where you find real learning.”
Growing up in Phoenix, Melissa thought she’d be one of two things: A photographer or she’d live on a farm, wear overalls every day and marry a guy named Bob. Well, some poor schmuck named Bob missed out, because, lucky us, she chose photography. But, as mom to Bennett (5) and Owen (1), she has managed to maintain that girl-in-overalls mentality, really taking the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in being a parent–bike rides to the lakefront, relishing in those quiet moments at home where her oldest says something mind-blowing or feeling pride when they take the time to interact and say hello to a stranger on the street.
Melissa's advice to young women is, ”I think it would be to say “it’s ok” - whatever path that you choose: Stay-at-home mom or working mom OR not a mom. I think women have created so many roles for themselves that they have to feel good about what they choose and not put so much pressure on themselves because you can’t have the best-designed home, be involved in every kid and school activity, be the most successful at your job . . . you have to let a few things go and leave room for different things to take the front seat at different times in your life."
Julie (Greenberg) Jenkins of Midnight Circus in the Parks
Midnight Circus in the Parks
As a young girl growing up in Champaign, IL, Julie briefly thought she might be destined for a career in accounting. When she realized her skillset doesn’t include the ability to balance a checkbook, she swung her focus 180 degrees to being on the Muppet Show in any capacity at all. While that dream didn’t come to fruition either—your loss, Kermit!—she isn’t too far from hitting her target.
Julie is one-half of the husband and wife team that created Midnight Circus in the Parks. If you haven’t caught one of their traveling circus shows, you’re missing out! Not only will you see Julie, her husband, Jeff, and a close-knit group of professional performers, you’ll spot their son Maxwell (11) and daughter Samantha Rae (9) performing for over 15,000 people annually in parks all across Chicago. Serving as her greatest role models, Julie’s parents taught her the power of a good work ethic and the importance of giving to others—that as a society, we are only as strong as our weakest members. Putting that community mindset in motion, Midnight Circus in the Parks has raised over $900,000 for Chicago Public Parks to build play lots, provide new equipment and subsidize special programs for neighborhood parks.
No one here is going to debate the fact that 2020 was a tough year. Many of us have faced illness, loss, and challenges we never thought (homeschooling while feeding a baby and attending a Zoom meeting, for example). We asked our staff here at Tinybeans Family Brands to think of what their silver lining was for 2020, and we think you’ll relate to a lot of these. From family bonding to showing up, self-care, and celebrating the little things, read on to see what our staff is grateful for this year and add your voice to the conversation.
We took on a new view of school and saw our children shine…
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“I have loved seeing my youngest son thrive in the distance learning environment when last year he really struggled in school due to his learning differences.” —Kate L, Bay Area Editor; National Content & Calendar Manager
“My elder daughter got to be on her college campus and have mask-to-mask classes this fall! It was a different freshman experience than she expected but she was happy that she got to go.” —Kim, Advertising Sales Director
“This year, because of distance learning, I have been able to be a fly-on-the-wall to hear my son interacting with his peers. I’ve heard him stepping up to lead discussions, keep kids on track, ask questions, crack jokes, and help his classmates. As a parent, you always hope your kid is doing the right thing when you aren’t around and it’s nice to get a sneak-peek that affirms this.” —Amber, Managing Editor
“When I reflect back on these past few months, one of the most impactful experiences I encountered, was actually witnessing that my son has turned into a mature, hard-working professional! He graduated college 1 1/2 years ago, and has been living and working in NYC. He came home to live with us in March and has been working remotely from our home these last few months. His bedroom and my office share a wall, and I absolutely love hearing him on his work calls with clients and colleagues. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself that this is my son—I am so proud to hear him speak with a sense of professionalism and witness his strong work ethic as a mature young man!” — Kathy, Bump & Baby, NYC & DC Ad Director
We learned the importance of self-care and the beauty in the mundane…
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“2020 has taught me a lot about how I hold myself accountable for my own happiness—daily exercise, creating a work-life balance, and time for reflection and gratitude are now things I'm actively working on and I'm much happier because of it!” —Sarah, Senior Product Designer
“I've realized I don't need so much ‘stuff’ in my life; pricey makeup, expensive workouts, clothes I never wear, highlights every six weeks...I colored my own hair for the first time in two decades and it came out pretty darn good.” — Jamie, Copywriter
“2020 made me realize how important it is to surround yourself with people you love/care about the most. Especially when times get tough!” —Nora, Partnership Marketing Coordinator
“Getting COVID allowed me to snuggle with my sick daughter for 10 nights straight and not worry about how I was going to get her back into her own bed.” —Julie G., NY Sales Director
“I've learned to never again take the fact that I can walk into a grocery store and get what I need, for granted.” —Karly, Pinterest Editor
We saw people step up and strengthened our community bonds, in spite of distance…
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“During this Thanksgiving season, our 8th-grade students and families showed up for critically poor families, who needed some extra help this holiday season. A single father with seven minors who lives in a one-bedroom apartment, a mother with two kids who suffered through domestic abuse and is now starting a new life during a pandemic...heartbreaking. When the students and the parents came together to provide and show up for these families in need, it was truly beautiful and inspiring. Baskets and boxes of food, generous grocery gift cards and cash donations, and beautifully handmade cards were received by families overcome with emotions that there are still good in people in spite of what is happening in the world." —Engelynne, SoCal Account Director
“The best part of 2020 for my family has been the ‘we're all in this together’ community vibe and more intentional effort everyone is making to stay connected especially since school remains remote for us. From starting virtual book clubs to distanced soccer practices to creating birthday video montages to bike rides on San Francisco's slower streets (we happen to live on one!), it feels like we've formed new or closer bonds with so many people.” —Julie S., NorCal National & SF Account Director
We learned new skills and discovered new places in our own backyard…
“I've never been much of a baker, but I started making sourdough this year! I've made quite a few loaves of bread, some very fluffy pancakes and a delicious pizza crust.” —Kenzie, Director of Partnership Marketing Solutions
“I found out that I love plants and I started to grow them!” —Bing, Head of Finance
“The extra time together as a family was actually really great (most of the time); oh and I think I might be qualified as a sommelier now!" —Tracy, Ad Sales Director, Northwest
"My husband and I actually fought less this year—with less on our calendars and rushing around to the latest activity. My kids are more adaptable than I ever could have imagined—happily wearing masks wherever they went. And finally, I started stand-up paddleboarding which has become a fun new hobby!” —Oliva, Ad Sales Director, Southwest
“We found out that dad is a better cook than mom....so now he gets to cook dinner...a lot! A lot more books have been read and naps have been taken. Schooling at home, I learned that my kid is the one in class who raises his hand and says ‘Is this going to be on the test?' Not gonna lie, I don't miss packing lunches in the mornings. I think we have become more creative/resourceful when faced with shortages of products or restrictions of activities.Finally took down the old shelves, cleaned up the dust bunnies/spider webs, and set up the new shelves. Discovered the Derby Cake (Mazzetti's Bakery, Pacifica, CA). My life is now complete. Company merger and got to meet so many new, fabulous co-workers!" —Marie S., Staff Accountant
“Since our travel and social happenings have been curtailed, it has given my very busy, very on-the-go family a chance to appreciate our house and home. We finished our treehouse, we've started doing the desperately needed updates, and we have discovered that we all love board games—a lot. Oh, and we've watched almost every classic '80s movie known to mankind.” —Gabby, Senior National Editor
“My wife and I explored New York City like never before (in a safe and socially distanced sort of way)! We used the NYC ferry boats to travel around the five boroughs, and explored so many new spots including: Roosevelt Island, Governors Island, Astoria, Bay Ridge, Staten Island, The Rockaways, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Battery Park, and all of Central Park." —Marshall, Senior Director, Client Success and Revenue Operations
2020 has given us a whole lot of family togetherness and proof that life goes on…
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“I had my second son, Parker, right before lockdown. Seeing him grow from a fragile NICU infant to an army crawling, smiley baby who adores everything his big brother does has easily been the best thing of 2020.” —Erin, Head of Editorial
“My wife and I, along with our four boys are closer than ever before, spending so many wonderful meals together ‘breaking bread.’ Also several of the boys commented on how this past summer was the best ever!” —Eddie, CEO
"My youngest finally learned to ride a bike, we now really enjoy our family bike rides and exploring our neighborhood. I’ve realized how much I love being around my husband. In a time like quarantine, this could've gone either way! And, my kids do a pretty great job of hanging out with each other and it's beautiful to see how much they genuinely love each other." —Laura, Email Marketing Manager
“After my maternity leave ended for my third kid in the fall of 2019 I cried (and I'm not a crier). I was so upset that as a working mom that I would never get that time back with my kids; that real 1:1 (or in this case 1:3) time where I devoted all my energy to crafts, snuggles, city adventures, or wherever the day took us. Well, clearly the joke was on me since I don't think we've ever spent as much time together as a family as we have in 2020. While the days are long and trying to juggle it all is trying, I really do enjoy working from home and being there every night for dinner and bedtime—something as a working mom I felt like I missed out on for years.” —Megan, Head of Product Growth
“My silver lining makes me simultaneously joyous and a little guilty. My college and senior-year-in-high school kids were less than excited to have their normal lives (mostly spent away from us) interrupted while we were working remotely, which meant we were all home. It was the longest and most wonderful stretch of the whole family being together in our 21-year parenting journey. And as it turns out, I didn't need to feel guilty about being happy about it. Our kids also appreciated the time with each other and us. It was a silver lining with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on the top.” —Nina, Chief Revenue Officer
“My in-laws ‘escaped’ Manhattan the second week of March to hunker down with us in the Midwest...and ended up staying through mid-June. There were ups and downs but they got to spend three months with our two kids under five and I'm so glad they had a chance to see them grow and change (especially the 1 year old!)." —Jen S., Head of National Sales
“While I did have to start cooking dinner every night, we actually get to eat as a family every night. We have become much more mindful about wasting things, especially food. Weekends feel longer because we spend quality time as a family instead of racing around to birthday parties, sports practices/games, etc.” —Grady, Head of Partnership Marketing
“This year, I welcomed a new baby, a new job, and a new house—a 2020 hat trick.” —Mark, Chief Technology Officer
“We're expecting a new addition in 2021!” —Jen W., Senior. Head of Audience Development
Want to share your silver lining for this year? Send it to amber at tinybeans.com with the subject line Silver Lining and we’ll add to this story.
We’re interviewing Power Parents who in our opinion, are killing it. From the board room to the changing room, these moms are filling us in on everyday life of how they juggle it all.
Join us as we chat with Lindsay Ellingson, former Victoria’s Secret Angel and Co-founder of Wander Beauty about how this new mom has dealt with newborn life during quarantine, and the inspiration behind her clean beauty brand.
Being a first-time mom can be overwhelming to begin with, throw a pandemic/quarantine at the same time and you’ve got a whole nother ball game! How have you adjusted to being a new mom during Covid?
This was oddly the perfect year to have a baby. Even under normal circumstances, I would have been inside more than ever with a newborn. Now that I’m back from maternity leave and around people a bit more, I do worry about being exposed to Covid-19 so we are being as careful as we can, wearing masks and socially distancing. It’s also been challenging to be so far away from family. My sisters haven’t met Carter yet so we have been FaceTiming more often. As soon as it’s safe to travel, we will go and see them. I can’t wait to see his face when he meets all of his cousins and aunties!
What was your inspiration behind creating Wander Beauty?
Women are busier than ever and most have less than 15 minutes to spend on their beauty routines but at the time, there was no beauty brand speaking to them. We felt women deserve products that work just as hard as they do so we created Wander Beauty: clean beauty essentials, that you reach for everyday, wherever you wander. Our multitaskers help to streamline your routine and save you precious time so you have more time to do the things you love.
We all know that being in quarantine wasn’t ideal, but what did you find was the best part of having a baby in quarantine?
My husband and I quarantined on Lake Eerie. His parents were so sweet to offer their lake house for those months when the pandemic was really bad in NYC. Despite how horrible and scary quarantine was, I look back fondly on those times. It was the last couple months of my pregnancy and Sean and I got to spend every moment together. I made pancakes every morning, we watched the most beautiful sunsets, and I got to sleep so much. But most importantly, we were safe and I’m so grateful for that. Then when Carter was born, we were together with both Sean’s parents and mine, who had isolated for 2 weeks prior to his arrival, so we had lots of help and support. I’m so thankful that I was able to change my birth plan so quickly and we found an amazing doctor in Ohio who took me on. It was really special for our parents to see Carter and to bond with him during his first month.
What is your most memorable moment from working with Victoria Secret?
My most memorable moment was also one of the most challenging shots in my career. We were shooting one of the holiday commercials in Prague. We would wake up at 4am to shoot before the streets got busy. In one of my shots I was wearing heavy wings, lingerie, and platform heels. I was asked to walk quickly towards the camera down a windy and steep cobblestone street. It was pretty challenging and I couldn’t take more than a couple steps without my ankles wobbling. After numerous takes and crowds of people gathering to watch, we finally got the shot. It ended up being a couple seconds in the final commercial. A lot goes into every single second!
We love seeing pictures of your cockapoo Carly! How did it go bringing the baby home to meet your first “fur-baby”
Carly was my only baby for seven years and always had my undivided attention. When we brought home Carter, she was completely disinterested and slept in the closet for a few days, I think mostly because the crying annoyed her. Now she’s starting to warm up to him and gives him kisses on the cheek. It was very hard to focus on anything other than Carter the first couple months but thankfully we had lots of help. Now that I’ve gotten the hang of being a mom, I’m able to include Carly more and give her more of the love she deserves.
As you know, moms don’t have much time for makeup in the morning, what are your Top 5 must haves for busy mamas from Wander Beauty?
Yes, now more than ever I need time-saving multitaskers!
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Mist Connection Essence and Toner
I love this! It’s a 2-in-1 essence and toner which helps to soften and hydrate the skin and preps it for the rest of your skincare routine.
My Holy Grail! An amazing formula that gives me buildable volume without flaking or smudging. It's also clean and enriched with castor seed oil to nourish the lashes.
We’re interviewing Power Parents who in our opinion, are killing it. From the board room to the changing room, these moms are filling us in on everyday life of how they juggle it all.
Today we’re interviewing Lindsey Broad – actress, funny woman, and now boy mom to two adorable towheaded boys. You might recognize her as the most hated women on The Office as Cathy Simms or the cute bartender in In The Dark. When she’s not on your TV she plays the leading role of mom to her two boys.
We all know you from your roll on The Office as Cathy Simms but scrolling your IG today it looks like you’re in full-on mom mode.
What is life like for you these days?
Life is intense, to say the least. After months of being quarantined in a New York City apartment with a highly active baby and lonely toddler (no extended family with large country homes over here), we impulse-purchased a house outside of the city. The house needs a lot of work and moving with kids is INTENSE. I’m hoping to be unpacked by the time my youngest is in kindergarten. Not to mention, production is starting again (phew!), which means that I both have to travel/quarantine for work and tape auditions in my basement at midnight.
What was it like being on The Office?
Wild! Amazing! Intimidating! I was a huge fan of the show and it was very very surreal to be on that set. Everyone was very kind and smart and funny and I am very happy to have been a small part of something so iconic. Also, I was the newest person, which meant I was the first person in the makeup trailer every morning, and my “desk” was in the background of the “talking heads,” which meant I had to stay while they taped those at the end of the day. So, long days! Glad I did it before I had little ones.
You played Pam’s replacement on maternity leave that Pam swore was the ‘Apple of Jim’s eye’ what was the role like?
In retrospect, she was what we now call “basic.”
Are you still the most hated person on TV?
No, because thankfully Donald Trump gets a lot of airtime.
How has being a mom changed your career?
In a ton of ways. I had a hard time balancing after my eldest was born because I felt such an identity shift and it took a little time to recalibrate. It makes it much more of a job: I shot a show in Canada the last couple of years, and I was always prioritizing getting in and out as quickly as possible. It often meant little sleep and maybe a little less focus.
We saw you took your youngest son Harry onset of “In The Dark” when he was super young. What was that like?
BONKERS. He was 4 weeks old when I started and film hours are insane – constantly changing call times and LONG days. He wouldn’t sleep at all in the hotel (he was sleeping in a Snoo at home), so I would just basically stay up all night, nursing constantly, trying my best not to pass out with him in the cushy hotel bed, and then roll into work with a baby-sitter who would meet me at my hotel in the wee hours of the morning. Thank heavens for concealer! It turned out my milk had excess lipase, so everything I pumped in the first month was trash and I just had the sitter bring him to me to nurse between takes. It was wild, to say the least. Full adrenaline mode.
You’ve been in Gossip Girl, 21 Jump Street – Which character did you identify with the most?
I played Karen on an IFC/Netflix series called Benders and she was a super smart and cool mom and it was a really weird and specific show that I thought nicely captured marriage. Chelsea on In the Dark was written for me, and I think she sounds a lot like me and I really identify with her vulnerability.
You are two super cute boys. What’s your favorite thing about being a mom?
I love sharing the things I enjoy with my kids. I’m super hands-on and basically love every single aspect of it, aside from feeding my picky 3.5 year old!
What’s the one parenting product you couldn’t survive without?
I want to preface this by saying that these are both bougie luxury items, but the cost-per-use made them so totally worth it.
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Doona Car Seat & Stroller
Allows you to move from car seat to stroller in seconds.
For my eldest, it was the Doona carseat/stroller. I used it everywhere: planes, cabs, restaurants, the subway. It’s tiny and fits great at a restaurant table, it was so easy at the airport, and I never got stuck in an Uber without a carseat.
For my second, it was the Artipoppe carrier. So nice and soft and comfortable! I used it from the day I brought Harry home from the hospital and nursed in it all day long for months - just stuck my boob in his mouth and went about my day. Plus, it made me feel cute!
Would this have happened if I hadn’t gone on leave?” That is the pervasive question, Sunny, a product manager at a San Francisco tech company still can’t shake. She returned from leave to find she missed an opportunity for promotion; her manager submitted an incomplete performance review; and as she described, “I came back to a new manager, new role, new team, with all new people. No one I had worked with previously for four years…My manager so swiftly handed me off… Felt like I was washed up trash.” Ultimately, she believed maternity leave set her back.
In an effort to better understand why being a working mom is so hard, a topic that has become a perpetual obsession of ours, we set out to research the return from maternity leave experience: What factors, during this vulnerable time, propel a woman into a state of struggle or set her up to thrive? We interviewed ten moms in tech and heard diverse experiences, ranging from “easy” to “horrific.” For those women at the most trying end of the spectrum, we found a powerful theme: While a woman is on maternity leave she is out of sight, out of mind. This creates the opportunity for bias, and can negatively impact the momentum of her career. Initially, the bias was due to poor manager decisions but then perpetuated by the absence of company processes and guardrails. An organization’s antidote is surprisingly simple and requires relatively little financial cost: Continue to advocate for her (because she still works here).
Before we go any further, it’s important to note that relative to other American women, the moms we talked with have it good, all with maternity leaves lasting at least 12 weeks. There is no federal paid maternity leave in the US; one in four moms go back to work just 2 weeks after giving birth. The tech industry has a unique opportunity to set an example and redefine gender equity. The same industry that has raised the bar of employee experience can surely do the same for women, if women truly are a priority.
Now, onto our findings…
It’s Hard to Advocate When You’re Feeling Insecure
Behind every maternity leave is a story, and often a challenge. In our interviews alone we heard from moms who spent their maternity leaves battling postpartum depression, PTSD from a traumatic birth, health complications requiring re-hospitalization, breastfeeding difficulties, and at the very least, exhaustion. Showing up to work that first day was momentous. It marked the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one. And even with their seniority and experience, they were anxious, emotional and self-conscious. Understanding this context is important to grasping the underlying backdrop to a woman’s experience when returning to work: Advocating for what we need may be harder when we feel insecure.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be this physically and emotionally hard. I had postpartum depression. The first 3 months were anxiety and exhaustion. I was an emaciated zombie.” —Liana, Scientist
“I questioned everything: What I was doing, what I was worth, what I should be focusing my efforts on, if I should be at this company, what value I bring them.” —Courtney, Business Development Executive
“I don’t want people to think ‘she can’t handle that job.’” —Alex, Finance Executive
Women Miss Promotion Opportunities While on Maternity Leave
Can a woman get promoted while she is pregnant? The answer, according to federal law, is yes. Equal access to promotion seems to get blurry in practice, however, when it comes to opportunities while a woman is on maternity leave. We heard from women who believed they were not considered for opportunities while on leave that they otherwise would have been.
Lacking explicit conversations with their managers about organizational changes or promotion opportunities, they speculated that their absence took away friction that would have been present if they were there: No one needed to relay the news, explain why they hadn’t been considered, or hear them self-advocate. When a woman is not there to advocate for herself, what systems are in place to ensure she’s not left behind?
Sunny, a product manager, described her back to work experience as “horrific.” While she was out, a position was created with a similar job description to her role but with a higher title. The position was filled, without feedback on why she was not granted the opportunity. It is Sunny’s belief that if the role had opened while she was present, there would have been a conversation with her manager regarding the opportunity. In her absence, she could not advocate for herself, and unfortunately, Sunny believed that her manager failed to do so for her. She had lost an opportunity.
“If I hadn’t gone out on leave, they wouldn’t have been able to forget about me. I would have been able to advocate.” —Sunny, Product Manager
Women on Leave Can Be Shortchanged of Feedback
Semi-annual review cycles are common in tech companies. When a woman is caring for her newborn during a review period, her manager no longer has the pressure of needing to prepare feedback to deliver face to face. Some of the women we spoke with said their manager seemed to put less effort and time into their review than if they had been there. Overlooking women during performance reviews can have penalizing financial implications, as ratings are often tied to compensation. Additionally, a superficial review is a missed opportunity for feedback, which is critical for growth.
Mimi, a designer, felt great about the work she had done prior to her maternity leave. Despite four months of daily vomiting during a high-risk pregnancy, she never missed a day of work, and “would have been proud of the work regardless of what was going on.” She worked the first half of the year, but the review process started right after she was out. When she returned from leave she opened her review, finding that her manager hadn’t written anything. She asked him why and was told, “I didn’t write anything because you weren’t here.” Mimi believes the lack of written feedback she received impacted her career. She missed the feedback, recognition and consideration she deserved.
“My manager not taking the time to summarize and describe the work I did meant he didn’t recognize it… That was such a hard time in my life. Being pregnant was so difficult…If you did the work, you deserve to be recognized, whether or not you’re in the office when the rating is delivered.” —Mimi, Designer
Without Expectation Setting, Some Women Return to Less
Going on maternity leave often means managers or coworkers must pitch in to cover the work. But some women returned to find their roles had changed, their responsibilities shifted, or their previous work credited to someone else. From a legal perspective they had returned to the same title. But from the women’s point of view their previous work had been forfeited. There had been no expectations set for temporary coverage, making their responsibilities upon return ambiguous for both the woman and the person covering her work. Ultimately, their career was worse off for going on maternity leave.
Courtney, a business development executive, worked tirelessly during her pregnancy to seize what would be a lucrative and newsworthy deal. She left for maternity leave on what she described as a “mic drop moment,” with only the final terms left to define. Her manager covered for her while she cared for her newborn, and when she returned the deal hadn’t officially closed. She asked to take back her account and carry the baton through the finish line. Her manager nodded yes, but left her off email after email, eventually claiming her deal for himself. His career shined by work she initiated, and her career stalled as a result.
“[Being on leave] made it much easier for my boss…to capitalize on it…The playing field was wide open…[I felt] empty. Everything that I was working on that was good was taken.” —Courtney, Business Development Executive
Our Recommendation: Continue to Advocate for Her (She Still Works Here)
We believe that the current return to work experience contributes to unequal gender outcomes. Women reach leadership levels at lower rates than men, and with the birth of their first child women will earn 20 percent less than men. In an attempt to attract, retain and develop women, companies must implement explicit family benefits (e.g. a solid maternity leave). But enacting a policy is not enough to avoid unintended consequences and bias. And unlike benefits, our recommendations are free, and only require more intentional process and a commitment to valuing the careers of women on leave.
Before She Goes on Leave:
Her manager should ask her to complete any relevant work needed in preparation for a performance review if it will occur while she is out (e.g. write a self-review, request peer feedback).
She and her manager should agree to a coverage plan during leave, and role expectations and responsibilities upon her return.
While She’s on Leave:
Specific policies should be in place and enforced if managers submit an incomplete review
Managers should consider themselves their direct’s advocate while she is on leave. They should consider her, and throw her hat in the ring for any position they otherwise would have if she were present.
Peers, managers and leaders alike can keep her top of mind for others with “small” gestures, like including the woman’s name and photo on team slides or referencing work she’s done when relevant.
When She Returns from Leave:
Managers should hold direct conversations about any organizational changes that were made in close proximity to her absence, providing explicit feedback and allowing for open dialogue and questions.
She and her manager should revisit the coverage plan created prior to leave and discuss how she can best ramp up on her responsibilities.
Let’s Speak up: It’s the First Step Towards Change
The word bias has a heavy connotation. It implies neglect, or even intention. But in no way were the experiences our moms relayed ones of intentional disenfranchisement. Instead, they had been caught in fast-paced, well-intentioned, companies, with little time for others to notice, all while feeling immensely vulnerable.
Maternity leave, itself, is a modern iteration to a workplace made for men. If the construct of work were created today, with women accounting for 47% of the employee population, work culture might shift to support women returning from leave. And that is exactly what we hope to do by bringing more transparency to the return to work experience. When we are transparent about our experiences, and the effect of our current workplace policies and culture, change will follow.
This is the first article in a series of insights describing the return to work experience. Check out these articles that are next in the series:
Anne Kenny and Natalie Tulsiani are user researchers and designers who co-founded Shift the Workplace, a research consultancy that helps companies identify opportunities to support caregivers. With 30 years of combined experience at Huge, Microsoft and Airbnb, we offer tangible, practical recommendations tailored to the company's culture.
