Brand new (like, just-had-a-kid new) mom here. Life seems manageable with the baby sleeping much of the time. It gets worse from here doesn’t it? I’m scared 😱😱😱

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

It gets better, then worse, then better, then worse, then finally better... then they leave. The terror and demands on your time evolve and you become, you realize one day, a battle-hardened grown-up who can deal with pretty much anything. Congratulations and welcome to motherhood :)

likehelpful

Thank you for this! Motherhood has been quite the learning experience for sure!

No! It gets so much better!! Congrats!!

likehelpful

OMG I needed to hear this!!! Thank you thank you!!

like

From my experience with three kids it gets somewhat better by baby’s age of 5-6 months. Basically you just adjust to whatever schedule they have. Then it gets substantially better by the age of 12-18 months, sometimes before that. By that time most moms stop breastfeeding, babies eat somewhat normal food, sleep more, cry less, so life becomes more manageable. For now, try to get some sleep whenever possible.

like

Also, I know that what helped me to stay sane is I let kids sleep in my bed until each was around 18-24 months. I know many people don’t approve of that thinking that kids should sleep in their own beds or even separate rooms. That may be right but I wouldn’t be able to wake up four or more times each night and feed the baby. I’d die right there. But what worked for me might not work for others. I can only say that all three of them started sleeping separately by the age of 24-36 months without problems (might have tried that before that age but didn’t want to).

helpful

My LO is 4 months now and it is SO much better now than the newborn phase. Things turned around for us around 3 months (the end of the 4th trimester). Hang in there!! I am a new mama like you, but I’m sure it will get better.

like

I’m going back to work in two weeks. Nervous but so excited. Not a SAHM material though I love my LO to death.

There are so many who have done it and survived and thrived, you are absolutely capable of same.

like

Thank you for the encouragement!

Some days are awful. Some are ok. Mostly you figure it out. My three now have the ability to play outside alone for good stretches of time and I can get work done. You got this.

like

Thank you for the support! And wow, you are a superhero 🦸‍♀️!!

It definitely gets better!! Going back to work is rough but in terms of sleep and routine and figuring out what works for you- it all gets better with time!

like

Thank you, I feel much less intimated now! 💪🏼 So happy to see this many working moms out there!

like

No, it gets SO. MUCH. EASIER. As they get older, they rely on you for less. But don’t wish for that! It goes so fast! My 11-year-old looked at me like, “what are YOU doing in here?” when I knocked on his bedroom door and interrupted his texting with friends. And my 2-year-old yelled, “NO THANK YOU!” when I asked if he would snuggle with me. At least he said thank you?

CONGRATULATIONS, MAMA!

Related Posts

I have a lot of mindless closing binder assembly today so I’ve been watching Restrepo and Korengal in the background. It.... really puts things in perspective. I feel like such a baby for complaining about long hours or stressing over emails.

like

Hi everyone I am relocating to Hyderabad next month. Even though I look forward to meeting new people I can’t seem to ignore the fact that I will move away from family. My family situation is already complicated, my mom and dad are not on good terms so we don’t live together and when I move it’ll get worse. I am financially independent but I feel guilty for not being there for them. Is there any possibility of getting transferred to Gurgaon office(a lot closer to my home)if I talk to my manager?

like

Moving to Philly Nov 1, just signed a lease in Queen Village. Coming from LA where I was part of a volleyball group and had a lot of options at the beach. Suggestions on making friends and being active (while still being respectful of covid rules & health of all)? 36 F

like

A long post: seeking some perspective. My husband of 2 years that I’ve been in a relationship with for more than 8 years just woke up one day and told me that he’s unhappy in our relationship. I’m devastated because he’s never expressed anything like this in the 8 years. He’s been super supportive and loving, even when we were in a long distance relationship. He supported my career and dreams and this just doesn’t make sense. We have gotten a counselor but things aren’t getting better. Comment>

like

A first year asked me today how to maintain wlb to make the job work long term. Oh you sweet summer child.

likefunny

Hi! Have any here gone the natural cycle IVF route? What was your experience like? Did you have success in growing your family this way? Would you recommend it to others?

like

Been with my GF since college and we recently hit the 4 year mark. 1-2 years into our relationship I found out she had instances of micro-cheating (flirting with guys, talking to ex’s etc - but nothing physical) and we addressed it. To her credit and my knowledge, she’s been apologetic and great at respecting boundaries since, but I still feel the pain from her actions years ago (and have talked to her about it). Feeling lost about whether to just leave or to try and work things out

like

Is it the smart move to take a pay cut and clerk for a judge?

Little context: I was an ED student, full time paralegal/clerk throughout my law school experience, and a single mother. I did not take advantage of the law school extracurriculars and missed out on clerk application deadlines my final year (2020). Would it benefit me to take a pay cut as a transactional clerk by about $20k to work as a clerk for a year then re-enter firm life? I’m transactional and enjoy that line of work.

like

Tis the season...
Anyone else have a love/hate relationship with NOAA?

Post Photo
like

Is Unisom safe to take in first trimester? My doctor assured me it was and recommended because of nighttime nausea but I’m seeing a mix online that it can cause the baby development issues.

like
like

529 Plan VERSUS Prepaid

We live in Florida and currently have a Freshman in High School and a 16 month old. We hear from our friends and family with college bound children "I wish we would have done Florida PrePaid." After obviously ignoring this for years, we are finally trying to do it before "it's too late" for both children.

Does anyone have recommendations on which plan to go with for each child? I once did the pros and cons on a whiteboard and it seemed like 529 was better.

like
like

Im a RN and took on a new role working in Home Health. I chose this position because My husband & I recently moved to PA with our 2 kids (1&3), with no family available for his residency program with a hospital. If you know that life, I’m pretty much the main parent for our kids. I don’t want to work in the hospital/floor work anymore; nor do I believe the hrs are flexible enough. I need a job that’s flexible for the kids but pays >$44/hr. Maybe remote or hybrid? Please help w/ suggestions.

like

This breaks my heart. RIP to Jacqueline Pokuaa, a social worker who died over the weekend protecting a woman and her newborn baby from a gunman. She laid down her life to protect these folks to the very end. Sending prayers to her family. 💔

Post Photo
likehelpful

pro tip. purchase baby foot exfoliate. but make sure you do it at home.

like

Copywriters: I’m going on maternity leave and we just posted a role for contract, 5 months. If you’re interested, DM me. You’d be working on products & product marketing. (Austin UA connected Fitness)

likehelpful

More Posts

Living in a ~700 unit rental building with 50+ staff - any suggested holiday tipping? Staff at the building come and go all the time (we just got a whole new wave of doormen in November)

like

Anyone have experience working with a nutritionist for meal planning and over all diet?

like

What’s the wlb like at VCA?

like

Anyone free to hangout?

like

How much does someone's career affect how compatible you think you are with them?

like

Hello,Amazon Google Can anyone tell me how does companies like Amazon, Google perform background check. Especially, how do they verify previous employment experience? O

like

As black attorneys, what traumas do you think are unique to us?

like
like
like

Just curious - What is a ballpark estimate of in hand salaries for people with around 5+ years of work ex and an MBA degree(Tier 1 college) in India?

like

Looking for salary range for X-ray techs with 15 years experience or more.

like

Hi what is an acceptable salary range for an associate director in biotech( +10 y experience)

like

Hi fishes.

What are different position level in Airbus.
Like E1,E2.. M1, M2.. is there any position between E3 and M1?
At what experience does an emp get these positions?

like

Are any firms out there that are hiring full-time/remotely? Let's start a list

likehelpful

Any one aware of "Intuitive Technology Partners"
Company? Is that really a genuine one? Any one working there?
They are providing parmanet work from home. As checked in glassdoor most of the reviews posted in the month of march!

Can someone help me here

like

Reasons not to join HCL ??

like

Little worries here guys - not able to transfer to Bittrex. Tried from Polo and Jaxx (cold storage). Transaction looked like it was going thru from Jaxx then seemed like it failed. ETH appeared back in Jaxx account and no changes to trans history...thoughts?

"We hear your responses to our anonymous pulse survey, and we understand you all overwhelmingly think our team structure org needs to change. We understand it's not necessarily working well—but here's why we're NOT going to change it."
Why ask us if you really don't care?

likefunny

How much time will it take for background verification in PWC?

Additional Posts in Working Parents in Law

Does anyone manage without having a nanny? Kids age 0-10

like

Where would you begin w/ setting up your own solo practice? I am a military veteran and in need of some serious help (w/ starting a business that is). It is a long story, of which I might reveal more depending on the responses in the thread. Thanks in advance for entertaining such a broad question!

like

Do you pay out of pocket on insurance premiums at your firm? My wife may leave her job to stay home and we’re on her insurance. My firm told me we’re $750/pay period or $18k/yr. that sounds absurd.

likehelpful

What are parents paying for baby sitters these days? Wife and I going out tonight for about 3-4 hours and have a local college student babysitting our toddler daughter tonight. Low-medium cost of living city and daughter will be asleep for most of the time. We’re thinking $15-20 per hour and make sure there are plenty of snacks around. Appropriate?

like

Biglaw single parents? I’m a recently single parent. My ex is (almost) completely out of the picture now. Any other biglaw single parents with tips or tricks to making this work on my own?

like

(Especially those of you with young children) how do you make time to exercise/be active?

like

Has anyone taken on side gigs here? In transactional real estate and could really use the extra money. I’m in-house and drowning in bills. Where did you post and what kind of insurance did you get?

like

How many married professionals with young families are just sticking it out “for the kids”? Marriage is very dead and has been for a while. Young kids 4 and 1. My wife and I don’t fight, but share 0 interests outside of the kids and can’t stand to be around each other. I’m so ready to leave… I just can’t bear the thought of doing it to my children even though another part of me feels like wife and I would both be better parents if our lives were separate. Anyone else done a similar analysis?

like

Some people mentioned au pairs... tell me more! Why did you like/not like it, if you did the au pair thing?

like

Came here to say that I wish I could fully express to my non-parent colleagues how much their support has meant to me. I can cover for them when they have stuff so they can unplug, but I feel like they will never truly understand the gratitude when they offer to do a task for me when my kid is sick, etc. Any ideas on how to pay it forward?

like

Sometime I feel like I'm operating at lower capacity than during the height of Covid trying to navigate billables and no childcare/remote school. Anyone else feel this way? Are we just burnt out from all the working nights and weekend in 2020/2021?

like

Curious to know what the norm is — does your firm prorate your bonus for time that you are out on paid parental leave?

like

What are we supposed to do with our kids during Winter break when school is closed for TWO WEEKS and we need to hit our billables?

like

How do you deal with the stress of knowing that other people on your team are working weekends and you aren’t? I’m a mom with two kids so working in weekends is tough for me. Cont. in comments:

like

My wife often calls me by 5:45/6 to ask where I am if I’m not headed home yet. Sometimes she’s stressed with kids/dogs/dinner and really wants me home. This really throws off my concentration because it makes me feel rushed. Like many practices sometimes I’m out at 5:30, other times it’s much later. Just depends and is unpredictable. Any advice on how to approach this?

like

My wife and I are both terrible housekeepers and our clutter is overwhelming us. We have two kids under 3 and a wonderful nanny but we need more help at home. How do we throw money at this problem? Where do we start to get ongoing professional help decluttering, organizing, cleaning, etc.? What has worked for you?

likehelpful

Have been hunting desperately for childcare bc spouse and I are both FT lawyers trying to handle 4 immunocompromised elementary age kids at home but have been striking out. Have even been considering having one of us take a leave, going part time (career suicide/knock us off partner track) or quitting. Just found someone highly recommended, experienced, patient, etc. Interview went super well but candidate disclosed they are in recovery for substance abuse, last relapse 2 yrs ago. DUI. Thoughts?

like

Trying to be really understanding about coworkers with no children feeling stressed during the holiday season, but it's hard not to ask if they'd prefer to go home to my sick kid, frustrated spouse and dirty house instead of their empty apartment where they have a flat screen TV and a beer waiting. How do you keep sane?

like

Today is my first day back at work (and first full day back in my physical office) after a few weeks off for parental leave. Needless to say, I am struggling to stay focused on anything other than wanting to go back home to my spouse and child.

I know I shouldn't take an emotional temperature on day one, but it has been more difficult being back than I anticipated. Any tips for navigating the waters for the first day/week/month back?

like

For parents with school-age kiddos (kindergarten up), what do you do for childcare? Thinking about giving up our nanny, but worried about juggling days off, sick days, and summer break.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal