I never had paid maternity leave. I had the basics of job protection but to get any income during leave, I had to use my sick days and vacation. Two of my three boys were born early in the calendar year (January and February) when I hadn't accrued enough sick or vacation time to pay me for the full six weeks off that the medical community recommends. During my unpaid days off, I was actually required to pay for my own health insurance. I felt frustrated and confused by these arrangements, but never pushed for more. I even agreed to have phone conversations and even a face to face meeting with people from my employer during my leave! I'm not sure why I was so generous.

During my third leave, we were getting ready to move, and I needed additional income to cover the extra expenses, so I prowled the internet and found not one but two work-from-home positions that paid by commission selling ads via phone. Some days I worked hours on the phone  my new baby boy by my side, during his naps, while he nursed, while changing his diapers and bathing him. I made money but was torn between guilt at not staring at the baby all day and relief that I could put extra income into our family budget.

I excelled at my job and had every intention of staying with the employer long term. But before my third child turned 2 I left and started my own company after I was given an ultimatum, basically, to choose between work and family. I chose family – and being in charge of my own work/life balance.

Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan
Sweet Tooth Communications, LLC
www.onesweetwriter.com
Twitter: @epagelhogan & @onesweetwriter