Work in Progress, Worklife, Workplace, TIME

June 12, 2008 8:00

Maternity Leave in Progress: sayonara for now

Posted by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen | Comments (29) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

So after much agonizing over what I ought to do with WiP during my leave, I did what I always do and punted to someone with more brain cells: in this case, Time.com chief pooh-bah Josh. I offered two options:

1. Keep going, albeit at a slower pace and in a more personal vein.
2. Hang an Out of Office shingle.

As a brand new dad himself, Josh says he has awakened to the value of a real maternity leave—and thus chose the latter. I think it's the first time in my life that I offered to work during a company-sanctioned leave of absence and my boss turned me down.

My reaction to the impending blogcation wasn't elation or even relief. First of all, being asked to stop writing, even for obvious reasons, flares up all my writerly insecurities (isn't this kind of like being fired?). Second, giving up the best part of my job, even for a finite term, totally bums me out. I wake up at 3 a.m. thinking of posts (okay, I wake up to pee, but then I can't get back to sleep because I'm thinking of posts). Now what'll I do with all the totally original observations I'll have about the world of work while I examine the contents of my newborn's diapers?

The fact is that blogging has changed the nature of work for me. Not so long ago, my job was all about getting in the magazine—a multistep, often infernally frustrating process that involves a half-dozen colleagues and could drag out weeks or even months. Very occasionally, after a story ran, I might receive an e-mail from a reader, or a hand-written letter if the reader happened to be a crazy person. Sometimes the letters department would run edited reader commentary that I would get to read only when it published. A magazine writer is an island.

This forum has plucked me off that island and plonked me into what I like to think of as The Office, but with colleagues I adore. I'm not ranting alone by the water cooler anymore; the blog lets me spew my thoughts, notes and interviews on work life, but that's only the start. You toss back your clever comments, insightful ideas and your own illuminating experiences. It's a conversation, the one we'd have over Danish in the kitchen until the boss stalks by and we all scuttle back to our desks.

What I'm trying to say is thank you. Thanks for letting me lurk around your cubicle for nearly two years now. Thanks for stopping by my virtual desk a few minutes a day, even without the incentive of a Hershey's Nugget from my snack drawer. Thanks for confirming my belief that TIME has a community of whip-smart, take-no-crap readers—the kind of readers I'd be proud to call my friends.

If you'll indulge me, I'll post some baby pics when I get my act together. My plans beyond that are hazy: once I'm somewhat upright, I'll take the tots and spend two months in Japan caring for my ailing and elderly parents. When I do return to the office, I have every intention of picking up in this space again. So leave me on your e-mail or RSS feed, won't you? Until then, this is Work in Progress heading off to the delivery room—and a new chapter as a working mom of two.

| Sphere Related Blogs & Articles |

Reader Comments (29)

hala:

I will miss you lisa!

But Congratulations on baby # 2 and good luck in the delivery room :)

Posted by hala | June 12, 2008 8:53 AM

Karo:

I will miss your blog so much during your absence. It's one of my favorite excuses to stop what I'm doing, and I love the insight, humor, and variety of your posts. Can't wait to have you back!

Posted by Karo | June 12, 2008 9:44 AM

cmeknit:

Warmest wishes for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby. You're one gutsy lady ... taking a newborn and a toddler to Japan. Your folks will so enjoy the time with you and them.

And never fear ... we'll be here when you get back (well, I can't promise for everyone, but you know what I mean).

And baby pix!!! Does life get any better.

Hugs to you and your family.

Posted by cmeknit | June 12, 2008 9:59 AM

Laura:

I have come accustomed to checking your blog as part of my daily routine, and I will definitely miss it during your hiatus. Thank you for all the time and energy you have invested in entertaining us! Congratulations, and enjoy your leave!

Posted by Laura | June 12, 2008 10:08 AM

Meredith:

Sounds like you'll have your hands full for those two months! Good luck and early congrats on kidlet #2.

Posted by Meredith | June 12, 2008 10:14 AM

Lulu Lulu:

Well, now you can imagine us in the kitchen with a gaudy pink-and-blue frosted cake and a diaper genie that we all chipped in to buy for precisely thirty minutes of company-sanctioned fun under the HR umbrella of "morale-boosting activity," during which the older women will trade delivery-room stories, the younger women will joke about renewing their birth-control prescription, and we will all poke fun at the one guy brave enough to sit in on the chat rather than stop in for a slice of cake and leave at the sight of all the female bonding.

Safe delivery and safe travels! We will miss you!

Posted by Lulu Lulu | June 12, 2008 10:19 AM

Gerry Author Profile Page:

You could always resurrect your personal blog. Post the link for guaranteed exposure.

Let me know when it's cool to visit--pre or post your trip to Japan.

Posted by Gerry Author Profile Page | June 12, 2008 10:32 AM

EmilyStarbuck Author Profile Page:

I'll miss you and your entertaining blogs too, but I'm glad you're taking the time you need to rest and will not have to worry about work. I hope all goes well with baby No. 2, and like the rest of the readers, I will be here when you get back!

Posted by EmilyStarbuck Author Profile Page | June 12, 2008 10:32 AM

MB:

Well, kudos to your boss for "forcing" you to take leave.

Congratulations, and best of luck with the delivery. I hope the transition to mom of 2 goes smoothly, and that you have a wonderful time in Japan. I don't envy you that flight, though!

Congrats again!!!!

Posted by MB | June 12, 2008 11:20 AM

Grad Student Life:

Congratulations, good luck and be safe!

I'll be here when you return, as this blog is much more personal that the others I read. I learn more from here than I do scoping headlines. And, it's great for me to know that there are other like-minded women, who want the career and family, out there for comfort!

And yes, post the pictures! I want to see the whole family!

Congrats again and best wishes for a smooth delivery!

Posted by Grad Student Life | June 12, 2008 12:11 PM

Prklypear:

You made the right choice - well, actually Josh made the right choice for you! WiP will be missed by your legions of fans, but we know you'll be back. Your next assignment: treasure your time this summer with your kids and parents. And maybe Josh will let you sneak in a "guest blog" or two if you're overwhelmed with the desire to write (or just as an excuse to post baby pix) Congratulations! :)

Posted by Prklypear | June 12, 2008 12:13 PM

Moonwolf Author Profile Page:

Oh well. Back to reading Tuned In until you get back I suppose ... It's not nearly as good, but ... *grins and runs*

Posted by Moonwolf Author Profile Page | June 12, 2008 12:44 PM

staceyb:

Enjoy the time off with family. I hope you are truly able to disconnect from work and following the beat. And you are a brave woman...it sounds like you are traveling to Japan with two youngsters by yourself? Beyond an easy birth and a healthy baby, save travels to you all.

Posted by staceyb | June 12, 2008 3:00 PM

Jared from NYC:

Good luck to you, Lisa. I'll miss your quips and the discussion

:-)

Posted by Jared from NYC | June 12, 2008 4:02 PM

Heidi:

Here's to the next few days going swiftly and smoothly (for you) and the next three months going quickly (for us, your readers).

Posted by Heidi | June 12, 2008 4:10 PM

LM:

Thank you for your fun, informative, witty blog - I am going to miss it very much. I hope you have a quick and easy delivery and enjoy the precious time with your family.

Posted by LM | June 13, 2008 3:34 AM

Anjan:

what to say I don't know, but after three months you will be like a full Moon to shining. Best wishes.

Posted by Anjan | June 13, 2008 9:02 AM

dixie:

Best wishes for an easy delivery. And come back soon!

Posted by dixie | June 13, 2008 10:07 AM

William:

Best of luck to you. I look forward to your return.

I would have guest posted for you if you needed it.

Posted by William | June 13, 2008 1:45 PM

pfblueprint:

Good luck, we'll still be here when you get back. :)

Posted by pfblueprint | June 13, 2008 2:13 PM

mwieser:

Congratulations on the new addition & enjoy your maternity leave. I will definitely miss checking for new posts but will still be here when you return. Travel safely!

Posted by mwieser | June 13, 2008 3:00 PM

hrwench Author Profile Page:

Here's to a quick and mostly painless labor, a healthy baby (and mom) and some well deserved rest.

Stop by my place any time:
http://hrwench.blogspot.com

Posted by hrwench Author Profile Page | June 13, 2008 3:07 PM

ALD:

Best of luck to you! I hope that the delivery goes well and that you and your family enjoy your maternity leave. Kudos to your boss for encouraging you to seriously take the time off--good for him. There will be plenty of work for you when you get back :)

Posted by ALD | June 13, 2008 3:16 PM

Hallie:

Good luck! We'll be anxiously awaiting those baby pics. And counting the minutes until you are back!

Enjoy all the precious moments you have. As a mom of a soon to be 19 year old in the Air Force and a soon to be 15 year old high school sophmore, I promise it goes by fast!

Hallie
http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/

Posted by Hallie | June 20, 2008 12:04 PM

ChrisK:

I really enjoyed reading your articles
Good luck to you, Lisa

ChrisK

Posted by ChrisK | July 13, 2008 1:39 PM

Post a comment


About Work In Progress

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen
Nina Subin

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is a staff writer for TIME. She blogs about work. Why? Because TV was taken. Think of her as the grumpy colleague ranting by the water cooler.
More about the Author

Email her here:
lisa_cullen at timemagazine.com

 RSS Feed

AddThis Feed Button

Daily Email

Get Work in Progress in your inbox and never miss a day:
 
Delivered by   FeedBurner

advertisement

Work In Progress Archives

October 2008
Choose a day to view events.

<< Previous Months

      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31