Name changed.
I have been in a management post for a local authority for over 1 year, although I have 10 years continuous service. I manage a small team of 8. I also have a toddler.
I am good at my job and enjoy it, although my manager is very strange and demanding.
Anyway I am 16 weeks pregnant and told her today. I was really anxious about telling her as I knew she wouldn’t be happy. She did not congratulate me, instead she asked When was I going to tell my team, when does my mat leave start and when will I return to work.
Although I am happy to tell the team at anytime (I believe they don’t really need to know yet) I did not answer the last 2 questions as I didn’t have the answers. She sounded so pissed off and put out. I know it doesn’t matter how she feels about my pregnancy and it cannot effect my position. However, I am now asking myself whether I should have waited until I completed my family before I had gone into management (this seems to be the thinking in senior management) and whether I can continue to work FT in management and be a great mum? Before lockdown I was stressed by balancing work and family life although my child was happy and healthy. I have
good childcare and family support.
AIBU to think that women can be in demanding posts/management positions and be good mothers?
For those of you who are doing the above? How do you find the balance?