WORKING

Mommy's Other Job

Getting back to work after two weeks of holidays may seem like a challenge even to a bright-eyed new congressional aide. Imagine how much harder it is to return to work after two or four months at home with your new baby.

You go from afternoon naps and baby smiles to corporate reorganizations and finding a quiet place for you and your breast pump twice a day.

The toughest challenge of the transition is the separation anxiety, according to one-third of more than 2,000 readers who responded to a questionnaire on the Web site ModernMom.com. A fourth said sleep deprivation would be the worst part of combining baby and boss, and one in five said pumping breast milk is the biggest challenge.

ModernMom's founder, Lolita Carrico, suggests mothers return to their jobs on a Wednesday so they don't have to face a full week of work. She also suggests connecting with other working moms -- in person and online.

"I've also found ways to cut corners to make time for what's important to me -- my family, my work, myself. I think motherhood today isn't about being perfect," said Carrico, whose sons are 2 and 5.

-- Vickie Elmer