Prateeksha Keshari’s Post

"Maternity leave has been a rollercoaster!🎢 I’m back to work after 3 months that completely changed my life. I knew it would be hard to having a baby, move into my first house that I own, try to stay on top of work and figure out to be a mum. But no amount of work could have prepared me for the challenge. Not a day goes by without somebody calling me Superwoman for dealing with all this. It’s a nice compliment, but I am not Superwoman. Let me explain… I simply take as many shortcuts as possible. You may be shocked at this, but I haven’t ironed anything since 2003. I won’t spend hours making things flat just so they can get crumpled again when worn. Nobody’s noticed yet (have you?) I create lots of shortcuts for domestic tasks because I’d rather be efficient than have a show-home. I use technology to make my life easier. My postman probably hates us for all the e-Bay parcels, but I can live with that for the efficiency of online shopping! All jokes aside, technology keeps me organised. Like shared online calendars - an amazing tool for keeping track of a household of two adults and three children with conflicting schedules. I’m also lucky to work for a great business. Thank you, The Green Recruitment Company for supporting me through my pregnancy and maternity leave. They trusted my skills and I am grateful for that. My skills are not down to being Superwoman. I gained them through hard work. I work long hours because I want to succeed at my career, at my personal relationships and at being a mother. I don’t believe in work-life balance because my work doesn’t oppose my life. My life is my work. My life is also my family. Good luck, hard work and supportive environments don’t make me Superwoman. So that’s me, recruiter and working mother. 🫶 #motherhood #career #maternityleave #womeninbusiness"

Well, the time has come. This week marks the last of my 12-month maternity leave. Cue all of the tears 😭🥲 For the past year, I've been wholeheartedly embracing my new role as a mother, sharing almost every waking (and sometimes sleepless) moment with my precious daughter, Eliana. From the late-night feeds to the first giggles and attempts at first words, we've been through it all together. It continues to be an incredible journey filled with love, laughter (and definitely tears), and learning. As I prepare to return to work, I'm feeling a whirlwind of emotions. There's excitement at the thought of diving back into my career, reuniting with colleagues, and embracing a new role at Ignition with new challenges. Yet, there's also fear and uncertainty about balancing the demands of work with the joys of motherhood. Will I be able to slot back into the team seamlessly? How many precious moments and milestones will I miss while working? Have I prepared our family enough for this transition? Will the mum guilt ever go away? Amidst the rollercoaster of emotions, there's also a glimmer of confidence. Confidence in my ability to adapt, grow, and thrive in this new chapter of navigating both motherhood and career. Confidence in knowing that I'm not alone on this journey. So, dear friends and fellow working mums, I'd love to hear from you. How did you navigate the transition back to work after maternity leave? What advice would you offer to someone stepping into this brave new world? Your insights, tips, and words of wisdom would mean the world to me as I embark on this exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, journey. Let's support each other, share our experiences, and celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of working mums everywhere. Here's to new beginnings and the beautiful chaos of balancing motherhood and business with grace and grit. 💪👩💼👶 #WorkingMum #MaternityLeave #BacktoWork #NewBeginnings #MotherhoodAndBusiness

👶 Back to Work After Maternity Leave: A New Chapter Begins 💼 After nearly 3 months of maternity leave I am almost there, I’m officially stepping back into the professional world—and it’s a mix of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, and a touch of mom guilt all rolled into one. Motherhood has given me a new perspective: ✨ Time management is now a superpower. ✨ Resilience has taken on a whole new meaning. ✨ I’ve learned to embrace flexibility and the importance of showing grace to myself and others. While leaving my little one each day isn’t easy, I’m also reminded of why I love what I do. I’m going back with renewed purpose—not just for my family but for myself. To all the parents returning to work: ✅ It’s okay to feel all the feelings. ✅ It’s okay to ask for support. ✅ It’s okay to redefine what balance looks like for you. This journey isn’t about “having it all.” It’s about doing what works best for you and your family while showing up as your authentic self—both at home and in the workplace. I’m looking forward to contributing, growing, and continuing to lead by example. Here’s to thriving—one step at a time. 💪 #WorkingMom #ReturnToWork #ParentingAndCareer #WorkLifeBalance #NewBeginnings

I didn’t take maternity leave, and it was the BEST decision I ever made. For me. When I had my youngest two children, I made the unconventional choice to stay connected to my work immediately after they were born. It wasn’t because I didn’t value those precious early moments—I cherish them deeply. But with newborns sleeping so much, I found I could balance both roles effectively without missing out on bonding with my children. The only reason this was possible is because I built a remote-first company. While I returned to work immediately, I never had to leave my babies. This flexibility allowed me to be present for my children while also maintaining my career momentum. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Here’s what I gained: 💪 Resilience: Balancing a newborn and my career pushed me to new levels of strength and adaptability. 🌍 Connection: Staying engaged with work kept me connected to the world beyond nappies, which was crucial for my mental well-being. 🚀 Momentum: I didn’t lose the career momentum I’d worked so hard to build, allowing me to keep driving my company forward. ✨ Empowerment: This choice empowered me in both my personal and professional life, reinforcing my ability to succeed in both arenas. 🤝 Support: I could do this because I’ve built a company culture that’s flexible and supportive, allowing me to manage both roles effectively. Not everyone will take this path—in fact, most won’t—and that’s okay. Parenthood is deeply personal, and each journey is unique. For me, choosing what felt right for my family and my career was the best decision I could have made. But there’s a bigger picture here. It’s crucial to build supportive, inclusive companies that offer the flexibility people need to thrive—this shouldn’t be limited to parents. Flexibility and remote work don’t mean people aren’t working hard—in fact, supportive cultures often inspire people to work even harder, with greater dedication and passion. #RemoteWork #ParentingAndCareer #WomenInLeadership #InclusiveWorkplaces #CareerGrowth #Empowerment

As I prepare to go on maternity leave for the second time, I find myself navigating a complex mix of excitement, joy, and apprehension. It's been eight years since my first maternity leave, and although I have more experience under my belt now, the questions and uncertainties are still very much present. Reflecting on my journey, several questions keep resurfacing. Please tell me I’m not alone here?! 🙈 🤷🏻♀️ How will motherhood impact my career? The first time around, I returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose, but also with the challenge of balancing my professional and personal lives. I’d started my first business only 1 year prior so couldn’t take long off. I wonder how this second experience will shape my career trajectory and if I'll find that balance again. 🤷🏻♀️ Will I be able to juggle it all? The demands of wearing various hats can be substantial. Adding a newborn into the mix is bound to test my time management skills and resilience. Being self employed helps with the flexibility but I’m always worried that I take on too much too soon. 🤷🏻♀️ How much will the industry change while I am away? Our industry is ever-evolving, with new trends, policy and innovations emerging constantly. The thought of stepping away, even temporarily, brings up concerns about staying relevant and up-to-date. I hope I will be able to catch up quickly! These concerns are genuine, and I'm certain many of you have faced similar thoughts. Balancing professional ambitions with personal milestones is undeniably challenging, but it's also an incredibly rewarding journey. I’m fortunate to have a supportive network and family, which gives me confidence as I step into this new chapter. I’ve learned that resilience and flexibility are key. After my first maternity leave, I returned to work with a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. This time, I plan to approach it with the same openness and adaptability. For all the other parents out there…..any tips are most welcome 🙏🏼 The countdown begins ⏰ #MaternityLeave #WorkingParents #CareerAndMotherhood #WorkLifeBalance

After three months of maternity leave, I thought transitioning back to work would be easy! But, the joke is on me! Coming back after such a significant life change, (Yes, I am a new mom!) Has turned out to be a bit more challenging than I anticipated. This mix of excitement and nerves has been a reminder that, Even positive transitions come with their own set of hurdles. Now, as I re-engage with my professional life, I’m learning the value of embracing this new chapter with patience, and a flexible mindset. Have you experienced a similar transition? What strategies helped you adapt to the changes? Here’s to embracing new beginnings and the journey ahead! #mindset #personaldevelopment #worklifebalance #igniteyourstory #motherhood

1st day at work post maternity break..... Sounds exciting right? So to be honest, it goes without saying how clueless I was imagining my transition to work along with my 7-months-old baby work! I was skeptical of the fact if I would be able to live up to my colleagues and people’s expectations around me or not. I didn't know if it would be a cake-walk or rather a strenuous move. I didn't know how my kid would react to this transition and I also didn’t know till what level would my family be supportive of this transition! I wanted to believe that my husband would a pillar of strength for me, but another moment the thought surpassed; for how long? Was it too much that I was putting into my head or was I just underestimating this move with such silly and petty questions? Though, my colleagues and seniors were pretty warm and welcoming towards me, but at the back of my mind I was struggling to not drown in thoughts of my kid and wanted to embrace this new beginning! The day ended with a question from one of my seniors who came to greet me and asked about how was I feeling! I immediately replied that I am constantly checking upon my kid and touchwood until now she's doing fine. And that raised a concern; he said: "I am asking how are you doing Sugandh, the problem doesn't lie with the kid, its the constant guilt a mother experiences of leaving the child behind with grandparents or househelp! And trust me, this thought just shook me and I began thinking if I am actually getting into that guilt zone! Getting back to work post-maternity break isn't a new concept within today's organisational realm and whatever I am going through is also normal, but my question is; how many of you feel that its the guilt that drives a new working mom insane and not a genuine child's concern? 💫 #WorkingMom #NewBeginnings #BacktoWork #ParenthoodJourney #ExcitingTimes 🌈

A Journey of Strength and Love💛 For me, getting back to work after maternity break was one of the most challenging phases of my career. 🔻 It wasn’t just about resuming schedules, meetings, and responsibilities — it was about leaving my baby at home, even in the most loving and trusted hands. 🔹 The real challenge wasn’t who would take care of her; it was the emotional weight of not being able to hold her, see her smile, or hear her coos for hours at a stretch. And this wasn’t just about work—it came after dealing with postpartum difficulties, emotional breakdowns, and personal struggles that I had to overcome to even feel ready to return. 🔺 It’s a bittersweet feeling—balancing the joy of being back in a professional space with the ache of missing out on those little, precious moments. Some days felt heavier than others, but they also reminded me of the strength we all have within us to rise, even when it feels impossible. 🔸 This experience taught me the importance of self-compassion, support systems, and celebrating small wins—whether it’s getting through the first full work week or finding a routine that works for everyone. 🔺 To all the working moms out there navigating this journey: I see you. Your resilience is inspiring. Let’s remind ourselves that while it’s not easy, we are creating a world where our children can look up to us with pride. ▪️ How was your experience transitioning back to work after maternity break? What kept you going? Let’s share and support each other. 💛 #workingmom #workfromoffice #work #maternity #maternitybreak #careerchallenge #workingmother #inspiringmom

We recently found out that some of our employees have been moonlighting. Yes! After working as a full-time employee with Amber, they work as full-time moms (and sometimes even in between work) Taking on another full-time role? We wondered why? Could it be for the extra pay? passion? or job satisfaction? To which they answered, “It pays me in my little one’s love and laughter" In part 1/3 — Kanak Jyoti, mom of twin daughters and Associate Lead HR at amber, shares how motherhood has given her more strength & taught her to chart the corporate world. “ As a working HR professional and a proud mother of twin daughters, I find myself constantly navigating the delicate dance between career aspirations and the joys of motherhood. It's a journey filled with both challenges and immense happiness, and I wanted to take a moment to share some reflections. Firstly, let's address the challenges. Balancing the demands of a workplace while ensuring that my daughters receive the love, attention, and care they deserve. There are days, especially during the last week of the month when deadlines loom large, meetings seem endless, and the guilt of not being returned to home on time, weighs heavily on my heart. Hence, I've learned to the art of time management and prioritising ruthlessly, sometimes, even sacrificing personal time for the greater good of the organisation because my work has a direct effect on each and every employee’s life. Yet, amidst these challenges, there is an abundance of happiness that fills my heart while at the workplace because amber gives that kind of comfort. Witnessing the wonder and innocence in my daughters' eyes and their laughter is a constant reminder to embrace the present moment and cherish the small victories. " In frame - Kanak, her beautiful daughters and their father (after all, “we should not neglect fathers on Mother’s Day” 🤭) #motherday #femaleempowerment #motherhood #celebration

So, hello October and hello back-to-work life! Can you believe it's already October? As much as I love pumpkin spice hot chocolate and cozy sweaters, this month also marks the end of my maternity leave and the return to my full-time job. Let me tell you, time has flown by! It feels like just yesterday I was celebrating my baby shower and now I have an 8-month-old who is growing up way too fast. I know many of you have been in the same boat, balancing motherhood with a full time career. So, I'm turning to you for some advice. How do you make the transition back to work after maternity leave as smooth as possible? What are your secrets for managing time and stress? How do you function on lack-of-sleep? How do you deal with the mom guilt? Can you tell i'm feeling a little overwhelmed and anxious. I know I'm not alone, people do it all the time I would love to hear your tips, tricks to help me survive. #WorkingParent #BackToWork #MaternityLeave #ParentingTips #LinkedInCommunity