DeepSummary
In this episode, Megan and Sarah introduce Kia Hammond, a regular contributor and working mom of four. Kia shares her journey of initially being a stay-at-home mom during the pandemic and then deciding to return to work as a nurse after her youngest child turned 14 months old. She discusses the physical and logistical challenges she faced, such as arranging childcare with the help of her mother-in-law and husband's grandmother, outsourcing household tasks, and managing sick days.
Kia also delves into the emotional aspects of her decision, including the challenges of missing her children's birthdays, the mental toll during her husband's extended work hours, and the relief of having coworkers and a sense of community outside her home. She emphasizes the importance of communication, planning, and accepting that not everything will be perfect, advising moms to prioritize self-care and not worry about the little things.
Throughout the episode, Kia offers practical tips and insights based on her recent experience, such as using a shared calendar app, delegating tasks like laundry and meals, and being proactive in making a game plan before returning to work. Her perspective highlights the potential struggles and rewards of being a working mom.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Seek help from family members or trusted individuals for childcare and household tasks.
- Communicate effectively with your partner or co-parent to establish clear responsibilities and expectations.
- Prioritize self-care and accept that not everything will be perfect as a working mom.
- Plan ahead by creating a shared calendar or planner to organize schedules and responsibilities.
- Delegate household tasks like laundry, meals, and cleaning to other family members.
- Be proactive in making a game plan for managing the transition to working outside the home.
- Embrace the sense of community and fulfillment that can come from having a job outside the home.
- Acknowledge that there will be challenging moments, but focus on the long-term benefits and rewards of being a working mom.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So, Elsie, my fourth and youngest was 14 months old when I went back to work.“ by Kia Hammond
- “Yes, because of the work that I do, which is, you know, taking care of and encouraging brand new moms, which is like a dream to me, I very much feel like I have the attitude of I get to do this job instead of, oh, I have to go to work.“ by Kia Hammond
- “I cannot afford to think about those things.“ by Kia Hammond
- “Again, I cannot mentally afford to care about all the little things all the time. Like how things were when I was a stay at home mom.“ by Kia Hammond
- “I think making the game plan for things that are big for you. So for me, like I said, it was the meals and the laundry and the dishes and planning those things.“ by Kia Hammond
Entities
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Episode Information
The Mom Hour
Mom Hour Media
7/2/24
"Am I ready to go back to work?" It's a question we get a lot in this community. Today Jayme chats with regular contributor and working mom of four Kia Hammond, who made the choice to stay home full-time during the pandemic and has since returned to the career she loves. Jayme and Kia delve into the logistical challenges and big emotions that accompany reentering the workforce, and lean on Kia's recent experience to offer practical insights and tips for making it work. Enjoy!
Meagan and Sarah have passed the mic over to our team this summer. Enjoy the fantastic, all-new podcast episodes they've prepared for you, and we’ll talk to you in August!
HELPFUL LINKS:
- Follow Jayme Sherrod and Kia Hammond on instagram
- Cozi App
- Employment Characteristics of Families In 2023
- Episodes From The Archives On Working Motherhood:
- Working Motherhood & Behind The Scenes At The Mom Hour: Voices 63 With Amanda Park
- Time Management & Productivity Tips For Savvy Working Moms: Voices 54 With Whitnee Hawthorne
- Career Challenges & Working Mom Strategies: Voices 41
- Stretched Too Thin With Jessica Turner: Voices 29
- Stay at Home, Work Full-Time, Or Something In Between? [Classic Replay]
- Blog Posts On Working Motherhood
- How To Start A Freelance Career Without Spending Money
- I Bought A Treadmill Desk And Yes, It’s As Life-Changing As The TikTok Influencers Claim
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