As a new parent, balancing the demands of work and family life can be both rewarding and challenging. At gridX, we recognize the importance of supporting our employees, especially during such pivotal moments in their lives. Our flexible policies, supportive culture and commitment to work-life balance create an environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
In this interview, we’ll speak with Social Media and Content Manager Jona, who recently returned to work after maternity leave, to gain insight into her experience of navigating this transition. She’ll share the joy and challenges, plus how gridX has supported her in managing both a career and family life.
Interview questions:
1. How did you feel about returning to work after your maternity leave?
Returning to work was a mix of emotions for me. On the one hand, I was thrilled and excited to dive back into the work that I love. On the other hand, I was worried about balancing everything — being the main parent during the day and ensuring I don’t push myself too far and burn out. I’m still finding my footing, trying to navigate both worlds, but ultimately, I’m happy to be back at work. It’s a process and I’m learning as I go.
2. What were the biggest challenges you faced when trying to balance work and motherhood in the early days?
One of the biggest challenges — and something I felt unnecessarily embarrassed about — was my child crying during meetings. I didn’t want to inconvenience my team, but, at the same time, my child is my priority. It’s a delicate balancing act, trying to be fully present for both. Thankfully, we’ve found a solution: his grandparents take him for his beloved daily walks during the long meetings. Their support has made all the difference, allowing me to focus without the worry of interruptions and knowing he’s in good hands.
3. How has gridX helped you manage the transition back to work?
My team at gridX has been incredibly understanding of my new circumstances. I went back to work earlier than the usual one-year leave, and the biggest motivation was the flexible work schedule. Most meetings and tasks are set in advance, allowing me to align them with my little one’s nap times. That structure has been key in helping me balance both roles without feeling overwhelmed.
4. What role did flexible working arrangements play in your transition back to work?
Flexible working arrangements were the biggest factor in my decision to return to work. If I had a typical 8-5 job that required me to be in the office most days, balancing work with being the main parent during the day just wouldn’t have been possible. Flexibility is everything — it’s what makes this balance work for me and my little family.
5. Have you felt supported by your team and managers during this transition?
Yes. Beyond gridX's work-life balance culture, my supervisors have been incredibly accommodating. I have a weekly check-in with my supervisor where we discuss my workload, and if it feels like too much, we adjust the schedule without compromising the team’s overall goals. I also made it clear that I prefer having my tasks outlined at the beginning of the week, so I can plan my deliverables around my little one’s schedule. They’ve respected that request, which has made a huge difference. Overall, my supervisors have been nothing but supportive, and I’m truly grateful for that.
6. How has your perception of work-life balance changed since becoming a mom?
Before becoming a mom, I saw work-life balance as something like a gymnast on a beam: delicate, precise and achievable with enough focus. But now, it feels more like juggling. Some days, you manage to keep all the balls in the air and feel like you’re winning. Other days, two balls fall and you learn to let go, accept it and reprioritize. Then there are those moments when not only do the balls slip from your hands, but you find yourself on the ground, too.
To help center myself, I’ve learned the importance of communicating my needs – not just as a mother, but as a woman, fictionist and poet, and as an employee and individual. These identities often get overshadowed by motherhood, so I make a conscious effort to give them space in my life and in conversations with my partner. I’m thankful that he understands how important these parts of me are and supports me in any way that he can.
7. What advice would you give to other new moms returning to work, particularly those in a similar work environment?
I can’t speak for everyone, but, in my experience, work on its own is generally manageable and enjoyable. The tricky part comes when you add motherhood to the mix.
There’s a lot of “mom shaming” in our society. If you go back to work early, people question who’s taking care of your child and you feel that sting of guilt. If you decide to slow down your career, people judge you for “letting yourself go.” And if you try to balance both, some might say you’re just trying to be “Super Mom” or “cool.” Whatever path you choose, someone will always have something to say.
So, my advice is to do what works for you and your family. Start with fewer hours if you can and see how that feels alongside your home and parenting duties.
What works for us:
- We have a clear list of who handles what around the house.
- Never underestimate the power of “me time.” (I make sure to carve out at least six hours per week without both my husband and child.)
- A solid support system is key. Since I’m an immigrant, my partner’s family helps a lot. We also rely on friends who offer to babysit and it makes a world of difference.
- Having a generally calm child. This I can’t stress enough. We are very lucky with the little one.
At the end of the day, it’s about finding your rhythm and doing what feels right for you and your household.
8. What strategies or habits have you developed to ensure you can stay productive at work while being present for your family?
One of the things I really appreciate about the marketing team at gridX is how we kick off Monday mornings with a Content Round, where we lay out our individual priorities for the week. This clear overview helps me design my working hours around my little one’s nap times.
When he's awake and has around 20 minutes of independent play, I use that time to knock out small tasks. When he naps, usually for an hour or two , that’s when I dive into my main tasks for the week. I block this time off in my Google calendar, so I’m not distracted by Slack notifications or other things — it’s just me and my deep work.
After lunch, as the day starts to wind down, I take a long break to go for a walk with the little one. It’s as much for his benefit as it is for my own mental health. We feed the ducks in the park, and when he takes another short nap , I catch up on emails, reply to Slack messages or handle a quick Instagram task. I also manage to sneak in 3 – 5 pages of reading during this time.
His second long nap is when I tackle another deep-focus session. If there are still tasks left at the end of the day, I wrap them up once my partner gets home and takes over the parenting duties. This rhythm helps me stay productive at work while ensuring I’m present for my family.
9. How does gridX’s culture support not just new parents but overall work-life balance?
The flexibility to design my workday around my little one’s schedule is a true reflection of how deeply gridX values a healthy work-life balance at its core. It’s not just about accommodating new parents; it’s about creating a system that allows everyone to thrive both professionally and personally. The support here feels authentic, making it possible to manage both work and family without feeling like one has to be sacrificed for the other.
10. Looking forward, how do you plan to continue balancing your professional growth with your responsibilities at home?
I currently work 32 hours a week, Monday to Thursday, and it’s a schedule that really works for me. It’s long enough to cover all my tasks, but short enough to give me space to decompress and breathe. I love that I get an extended weekend, where I can give 100% of my attention to my child without any work distractions. Moving forward, I plan to maintain this balance by being mindful of my workload and setting clear boundaries between work and home life. It’s about making sure I’m growing professionally while also being fully present for my family.
Supporting women in tech
The tech industry has long struggled to hire and retain more women, but one way to address this gap is by offering greater flexibility when women return from maternity leave and begin juggling a new kind of work and family dynamic. At gridX, we believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential for both personal well-being and professional success. Jona’s story highlights the importance of flexible working arrangements, a supportive team and a company culture that truly values its employees.
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