MMD BLOG


CATEGORY:

MAMA WELLNESS + ANXIETY

THE ANXIOUS MOM’S GUIDE TO RETURNING TO THE OFFICE

 Modern Mommy Doc


PUBLICATION DATE:

June 21, 2021

THE ANXIOUS MOM’S GUIDE TO RETURNING TO THE OFFICE

 Modern Mommy Doc

CATEGORY: MAMA WELLNESS + ANXIETY

If your work has been talking about returning to the office for the last few months, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. After all, if you’re like most moms, you’ve had the luxury (and also the headache and chaos) of working from the comfort of your own home for the better part of the last year. This has made life both easier and more complicated. Yes, it’s been so amazing to have more time with your kids, but they’re probably also an enormous distraction to your productivity level, and you never feel like you have time alone—like ever. 


That’s why there are so many mixed emotions involved when it comes to the topic of returning to work post-pandemic. You might be wondering what life will look like once you’re expected to be present at work for the entire day—and may still be figuring out the logistics of school pick-ups and childcare. You might also be feeling more pressure to lean in at work now that you’re going to be physically in front of your boss and colleagues after a year of hiding behind a computer screen on Zoom. And what about all that laundry and those dishes you were able to do mid-day that you know will now pile up and be left for the limited “free” time you have on weeknights and weekends? 


You know the transition is not going to be easy, but it doesn’t have to be full-on overwhelming or breakdown-inducing in any way. Remember, you are strong, Mama. You've made incredible sacrifices this past year and handled more than you ever thought you could. If you’re really nervous about how it’ll all pan out, maybe consider talking to your boss about maintaining some of the increased flexibility that the COVID lifestyle gave us moms. Here are Dr. Whitney’s tips for how to approach the situation the right way. 



Remote Working Moms Jobs In-Person Jobs


1. Approach with confidence. 


Some experts predict a Great Resignation on the horizon, with almost 30% of employees saying they’d rather resign from their positions than return to their in-office jobs post-pandemic. In other words, you're in good company if you'd rather not go back to in-person work. Remember this when you broach the subject with your boss. You never know, your boss may also be in the same boat as you and may offer even more empathy than you’d expect.

 


2. Create a business case for your preferred working location. 


Just as with anything business-oriented, it’s a good idea to point out to your boss all of the reasons why the flexibility that your pandemic working situation offered you was not only good for you, but also for the company’s bottom line. For example, maybe you were able to avoid a two-hour commute total each day, and this allowed you to start working at 8 AM as opposed to 9 AM; and to stop working at 6 PM instead of 5 PM. Good for you and good for the company!

 


3. Prepare to negotiate. 


It's possible your employer may not be able to accommodate all of your work from home preferences—at least not right away. At the same time, the pandemic dramatically changed the way we all do business. You might be surprised by how open and flexible to new schedules and working environments your boss and your company are post-COVID. 

 


4. Continue to "Parent Out Loud.


As Dr. Whitney points out, the Zoom-bombing toddlers that filled our professional meetings this year reminded us that the line between work and home life is often fuzzy for most of us, whether we're in the office or working remotely. The more we all continue to show our humanity, the more it normalizes your working parent experience, and the more your colleagues will be able to do the same.

 

Remember, you can and will succeed as you transition yet again to a new reality. In the meantime, take good care of yourself and be kind to yourself as you navigate the next few months and find a new normal.


You’ve got this—and we’re here for you along the way!


Written by Jenn Sinrich

Jenn Sinrich is a freelance editor, writer and content strategist located in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her BA in journalism from Northeastern University and has a decade worth of experience working for a myriad of female-focused publications including SELF, Parents, Women's Health, BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings and more. When she's not putting pen to paper (or, really, fingers to keyboard), she's enjoying the most precious moments in life with her husband and daughter.

Raising Body-Confident Kids Starts at the Doctor's Office!

START NOW
By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
By Dr. Whitney November 13, 2025
Stop being so busy, and start being more present.
By Dr. Whitney November 5, 2025
Starting out right with solids doesn't have to be so scary.
By Dr. Whitney October 29, 2025
What if YOU are the one who needs to calm down first?

Welcome! Get the information you need to win at parenting without losing yourself.

LEARN MORE

My Kids' Book on Body Confidence is Finally Here!


Wish your partner would do more to lessen your mental load?


Want to make self-care a priority but not sure how to?


SIGN UP FOR SUSTAINABLE SELF-CARE. IT'S FREE. CLICK HERE



FRESH

ON THE PODCAST


By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
By Dr. Whitney November 13, 2025
Stop being so busy, and start being more present.