Lori is the founder of Mindful Return, author of Back to Work After Baby: How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return from Maternity Leave, and co-host (with her husband) of the Parents at Work podcast. Her passion is helping parents develop strategies and tools, so they can be present—both with their kids, and in their careers.
TAKEAWAYS
Skills you gained through parenting also strengthen your career (Let’s claim the work we’re doing!)
Managing high-needs stakeholders: Parents become experts at meeting the needs of demanding “clients” who can’t always articulate what they want—sharpening listening skills, pattern recognition, and problem-solving under pressure.
Systems thinking and leadership through transition: Planning a smooth parental leave requires initiative, organization, and foresight. Setting others up for success in your absence stress-tests your systems, documentation, and training—revealing true leadership capability.
Asking for flexibility at work after baby
Get clear on your ask: Before starting the conversation, be intentional about what you need. Take time to think it through, write it down, and identify a few specific options.
Frame flexibility as a trial: Propose a time-bound arrangement so it feels like an experiment—for example: “For the first two months after I return, could we try X, Y, and Z to support a smoother transition?” If needed, you can scale the ask down to a shorter timeframe, such as one month.
Examples: Requests might include shifting your schedule by an hour (e.g., 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) or working remotely one day per week.