Last Updated on September 16, 2022 by Natalie

Nothing will make you feel like a women’s rights activist like having a baby.

Yes, I am a woman…

And I’ve always cared about my rights.

But this felt different.

I’ve long heard the argument about how maternity leave and vacation days are way more abundant in other countries (Hey, Sweden!).

On the other hand, I thought of the many other women who said they felt more than ready to go back to work and stimulate their minds with adult conversation once maternity leave was over.

I have always known that maternity leave was not a vacation. It’s work.

Still, before I became pregnant and during my pregnancy I looked forward to this “long” 3 month hiatus from work.

Wow! Three. Whole. Months!

I haven’t had a break that long since I was in school.

In the months leading up to my baby being born, every time I got an email from a client about some “crisis” that needed immediate attention or I had to prep, get up and get dressed for a client meeting, my brain salivated over this 3-month hiatus.

Then it came…

And it went.

What’s the Problem?

This has nothing to do with money.

I had no idea that my precious baby boy and I would just start to solidify our bond when we came upon that 3 month mark.

Up until that point, he showed no preference for me (because…well, he was a newborn).

We were still getting to know each other.

Finding our rhythm. Finding our way in our baby-led routine.

Navigating the obstacles in our exclusive breastfeeding journey.

Finally, I was able to feel that I was special to him. He seemed most easily comforted in my arms.

Naturally, I’m the person he felt at ease with because, aside from carrying him in my womb for 9 months, I was the lady that was with him all day long.

And now I’m supposed to be tagged out and someone else steps in?

He was still SO little. He’s only 3 months.

Despite the fact that it’s the norm in the United States and it’s all I’ve ever known, it still felt unnatural.

Because it is.

After all, this rat race our society participates in is a man-made thing.

All the cave babies stuck with their mamas for much longer than 3 months.

I’ve always felt that our 5:2 work:break days were far from balanced.

When all is said and done at the end of one’s life, I don’t think many people look back and say “It was really important that I put that many hours in at work.” Or “I’m so glad that I was my boss’ star employee.”

Sure, those things can be rewarding and fulfilling. But at what cost?

Our work should not dominate our lives. We spend most of our waking hours working. And if you don’t participate in this twisted lifestyle, you risk being left behind.

And when you do participate, there is always someone out there who is better and works harder than you.

It’s a vicious cycle.

I digress.

I was not prepared to tap out when my baby turned 3 months.

To my relief, it turned out I didn’t have to. I was let go from my job when I was due to return.

Affording to Enjoy Your Baby

Of course, I felt I wasn’t able to afford the luxury to not work for long.

I needed to find a way to help support my family so I can continue to stay home with my baby.

And so I began this blog to share my experience to make this happen (more to come on that).

And also, as a potential way to make that happen.

Let me know if you have accomplished this and how!