Thriving Through Change

As the saying goes “time flies when you’re having fun”. I have now been back to work for three months!

Image from www.giphy.com

There have been highs, lows, and everything in between. I am not sure if “fun” is the exact word I would use to describe the past three months, but it has most certainly flown by.

Before I went on maternity leave I was used to my life. I was comfortable with who my boss was at work, comfortable with my cooking abilities at home and comfortable with my life in general. Now… I can’t say that I am really comfortable with anything. And really, that’s a good thing! When you are comfortable you become complacent and that is never how I would want to describe myself or have others think of me.

The Mr. came up with the title of this post based on some materials he has been working in at work. When he said i I immediately loved the title, but also thought it was pretty ironic. Jenna the mom thriving through change – I have always been comfortable being Jenna the career women trying to change the world, but who hated change. To be honest, I still hate change. I know it brings good things and progress won’t be made without it but I love the idea that things can stay the same, people will always be the same and everything in my world will remain unchanged. I know, that is not realistic, especially with a baby! Change happens on nearly an hourly basis with a baby around (and not just diaper changes!)

Since returning to work I have noticed 6 key things that are dramatically different now that I go to work everyday and there is a child in our household:

1) Routines – Although the contradicts the ongoing changes that are occurring, routines are absolutely essential to maintain some type of order. Why is routine important for babies? Aside from that routines help to increase childhood development, help babies understand the concept of sequencing which help to build their confidence. As someone who loves schedules, routines (although flexible) make our household function and ensure that I get my teeth brushed before leaving the house everyday! It might sound funny, but brushing your own teeth is one of those little things that gets over-looked in the mad dash mornings while focused on getting everyone and everything else ready.

2) “I have to go” – I used to stay at work late and never be the fist one out the door. “I have to go” was never something my colleagues would have heard from me (or the Mr.’s from him for that matter). Now, I still get everything done, but the minute the clock strikes 4:30pm I am like Cinderella leaving the ball at mid-night. I can’t get out the door fast enough – get to daycare, pick up Little Dude, drive home, supper time, playtime, bedtime and *breathe*. It’s a crazy routine but a routine none the less that all begins with me saying “I have to go”.

3) Don’t sweat the small stuff – So much easier said than done, but being back at work has really reinforced this point. There are items I deeply cared about before that now I cannot understand why I spent time or energy on something so menial. Being a mom has changed how I look at almost everything and has carried over into my approach in the workplace as well. I think my colleagues would agree this change has been for the better… (hopefully?!)

4) Convenience is key – Little Dude is incredibly fussy when it comes to meal time. Combine this with my lack of patience and it doesn’t make for the happiest dinner time. Not long ago I was telling my Dad about how Little Dude wants to eat alphagetti all the time and how this was making me feel inadequate since all the other moms are feeding their babie sophistocated homemade meals. His answer was this: “Have you ever heard of a baby dying from eating alphagetti?” I answered: “no”. He followed up with: “So why not feed him what he likes and enjoy your evenings together?” – Obviously he made his point and Little Dude has alphgetti for dinner that evening. I think I could go on about this topic for a while (another post idea perhaps?!), but the message is do whatever makes your life easier. In the constant rush of the day and getting everything done if you can find anything to help alleviate some of the load – just do it!

5) Work Life Balance – I really have nothing to say here except that I know it is important and I have to figure it out. Your tips and advice are more than welcome!

6) Appreciate the Weekend – Everyone (even those who work shift work or work weekends) looks forward to the weekend! The weekend before was a time to sleep in, do a bit of cooking, go somewhere, etc. Now it has so much more meaning. The weekend represents two full days that you can break the rules and stray from the routine ever so slightly to do some fun activities that weekdays would never allow for. It means family time, hockey night in Canada, endless episodes of Paw Patrol and time to remember the people that matter the most. Appreciate the weekends and don’t waste them!

I know the changes have only just begun, the time will continue to fly by and there will be many more cans of alphagetti served at our house. For now I am doing my best the thrive through change and wish you the same! If you know someone heading back to work soon from maternity leave share this post with them – hopefully it will help them thrive through change as well.

My shoes for that: Michael Kors Plum Flats – with everything else changing around me I am so happy I can reply on Michael Kors to provide my favourite flats in a variety of colors each season! Side Note: The Mr. bought me these ones for Christmas 🙂