The article reflects on the author's experience navigating motherhood while maintaining a career in the media industry. After discovering her pregnancy in early 2019, she faced challenges balancing work and parenting, especially with limited maternity leave and high childcare costs. Remote work emerged as a vital solution during the pandemic, allowing mothers to remain in the workforce without sacrificing their caregiving roles. However, as return-to-office mandates increase, there are fears that this crucial flexibility may be lost, impacting the ability of mothers to manage both work and family effectively.
When my newly wedded husband and I moved into our New York City apartment in January 2019, I ran to the Duane Reade across the street to buy a pregnancy test.
For many working mothers, remote work has been the missing key. We were given the opportunity to work remotely for years during the pandemic and got to see how helpful it was for keeping us in the workforce.
In a country with limited maternity leave, unaffordable childcare, and pay inequality, remote work is a necessary safeguard that helps mothers, with kids of any age, stay employed without compromising their role as caregivers.
Now, as return-to-office mandates are on the rise, I worry this vital workplace right for mothers is being ripped away.
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