How can leadership help working moms? What are specific things we can request? Any protocols you’ve put in place with your manager that have worked well? Anything you really want that could make your life easier? I’m trying to work to compile a request list and make recommendations for managers to make it easier for working parents, especially moms. I’d love to hear from you ... as I lay hear singing my daughter to sleep and answering work emails on Saturday night :/

Being generally aware that the end of the day, usually 5-7, is bonkers for many families because of daycare pick up schedules, dinner, bedtimes. Regularly scheduling important meetings and “catch-ups” at that time is really tough. Many of us come on for a second shift to tie up loose work ends after the kids go to bed, which is really hard—so just realizing that reality would help. Also respecting blocked times for breastfeeding moms (and enforcing it company wide).

Honestly company policy doesn’t matter if managers don’t encourage/enforce it.

Flexible schedule has been huge for me. Sometimes I’m burning the midnight oil but I’m also shuttling to doctor appointments in the middle of the day and it’s 100% flexible with no expectation of being consulted. A small thing like not needing to explain anything is huge so I can just do what I gotta do.

I’ve also really appreciated having access to a childcare FSA so I can pay for daycare with tax free dollars. The medical FSA is also great for first aid kit supplies and even baby stuff like baby monitors and other safety things. The company has been pretty flexible with moms coming back part time at first before returning to a full time schedule after maternity leave as well. This should go without saying, but generous parental leave packages are also nice.

This is smaller, but we also have a parents slack channel which has really helped from a morale standpoint. Makes you feel less alone in this parenting thing and it has been a great resource to ask about swim lessons, nanny recommendations, etc.

Honestly industry wide there should be a shift from the toxic “hustle” mentality and a hard cut off time of work during the week and weekends. Working beyond 5pm and on a weekend should be the rarity, not the norm. I’m aware this is wishful thinking, but if you’ve read the comments in this app it’s one of the top things people complain about no matter where they are. I’ve seen so many moms leave this industry bc they’re expected to always be on at all times and it’s a totally unreasonable ask - really for anyone to always be on is unreasonable. Having days where I never actually get to see my kid awake is absolutely criminal. And it shouldn’t be expected that parents go home, do their family things for three hours and then are expected to perform again. People are burnt out by that point. If you’re not, then you’re awesome and that’s great, but for the majority of parents I know this is the case.

Back to back meetings are really tough especially with kids jumping in. Work around scheduling meetings during times that work better. Encourage moms to take time off.

When she takes a day off or tells you she has to be offline by a certain time, don’t expect her to work. Mode the same behavior on your end. If you’re off, be off.

Ask us to take on functions we’ve already demonstrated capabilities or potential to handle.

Stop assuming we can’t do the work when we get back from mat leave.

If something does fall off, ask if we need support, or how to get to a better place before taking projects away.

Don’t give us shit for not being “on” during regular hours, or missing unnecessary meetings that can be efficiently recapped in emails, if the work is getting done well and on time.

Don’t assume we don’t take the job seriously if we’re setting reasonable boundaries.

Don’t assume because the work is getting done well and on time that we still don’t need support. I’m sure there are others here who are killing themselves and remaining quiet to appear strong and in control. If you know someone (mom or not) has an unreasonable workload— reach out and see how they’re getting it done and if they need additional help to keep up the momentum.

Really love the no meeting on Fridays bit mentioned above. And EOD meetings, too for that matter. Unless it’s an absolute necessity - let the end if day be a time for focus and next day prep.

Stipend for babysitter/ nanny/ childcare support

My company offers paid admin leave for covid caretaking. I take it when schools close suddenly or when one of us isn’t feeling well so all need to quarantine until we have our test results. Some Directors on my team were very open about needing and taking it, which normalized it somewhat. Additionally, my boss encouraged me to block my calendar so I’m only available for meetings at certain points and I do not take meetings on Friday unless it’s an emergency. On fridays I either end up taking care of the kids if they’re home or doing work all day uninterrupted.

Normalizing 3-4 day a week work schedules. Or considering that as an option if it comes up. I recently transitioned to 4 days a week and it makes a HUGE difference on my balance between kids and work.

Following!

This is something I do with my team and encourage them to do as well (it’s outlined in our team handbook). I block two separate 2 hour calendar blocks for uninterrupted work/project time per week, no meetings (I do mine on Wed/Fri). It’s great for ensuring people have adequate time to get work done that requires extended focus, but the huge flipside that parents love is that you then consistently also have times you can count on to schedule your children’s doctors appointments, run an important errand, etc. We schedule over the blocks when running out for a personal item so people know we’re unavailable, but they’re mostly used to get work done (which reduces stress too). Carved flex time helps parents balance (I’ve found). Some companies also do weekly no meeting days, for example where meetings aren’t allowed to be scheduled on Monday - but I feel this ends up feeling far less flexible overall b/c you have to squeeze all meetings into other days. We also have a policy that you don’t have to run those types of things by anyone, at any time, just block your calendar and do what you need to do. The blocks are just nice b/c whenever I’m asked, “when’s a good time for X” for my kids or anything personal, I’ve got two days/slots I can always count on.