What I’m Still Learning About Balance As A Working Mom

When I had my daughters, I didn’t have paid maternity leave. As a freelancer, there was no HR department and no clear path. It was just me trying to figure out how long we could go without my income and when I realistically needed to start working again. With my first, I took more time. With my second, I was answering emails and taking on assignments about a month in. That decision didn’t feel great, but it felt necessary.

I remember wishing I had better information about what options exist for someone in my position, depending on where you live or how you work. That’s why Momcozy’s newly launched Working Motherhood Toolkit: Know Your Protections & Plan with Confidence feels meaningful. Released in recognition of International Women’s Day, it’s a comprehensive digital resource designed to help mothers navigate maternity leave, workplace pumping rights, childcare considerations, and the transition back to work with greater clarity and confidence. Developed in partnership with Moms First and WorkLife Law, the trimester-by-trimester guide outlines what to plan early in pregnancy, what to confirm before birth, and what to focus on postpartum. It also integrates tools like PaidLeave.AI to help families understand what leave and benefits they may qualify for — something I know would have made those early weeks feel far less isolating.