“Motherhood is great, but it’s a 24/7 job.” Eight stories from professionals at SoftServe, Master of Code Global, Ciklum, ZONE3000, Intellias, and Pingle Game Studio who didn’t take long maternity leave and successfully combine work with raising kids

«I am convinced that motherhood should not limit career development, and career should not complicate motherhood»

I gave birth to my son in 2023, and I didn’t take a traditional maternity leave — instead, I took a month off, then went back to work full-time. For the first three months, I worked mostly from home, occasionally visiting the office for half a day as needed.

Although the company offers paid maternity leave, returning to work quickly was a conscious choice for me. I am convinced that with proper management, a woman can pay enough attention to both her family and her career. This is not easy and requires careful planning, as well as support from loved ones and, of course, her employer.

This is what helped me effectively combine motherhood and work.

Preparing for childbirth

• Team preparation. Even before the baby is born, you should close key tasks and delegate others, distribute responsibilities among the team, and structure processes so that nothing stops without you.
• Financial planning. Combining work and motherhood requires additional expenses (nanny, household services), so it is important to calculate this in advance and include it in the budget. What was helpful for me was a one-time financial assistance from the company, which helped cover part of the costs of the child.

Home improvement

• Delegating household tasks. Delivering groceries or ordering a cleaning service significantly saves time and reduces workload.
• Help from a nanny or family. I worked mostly from home for the first three months to take care of the baby, but I always had help with the child during working hours.

Organization of work processes

• Staying on top of things. I delegated key tasks to the team, and for communication we agreed on weekly written updates, which I monitored even while on vacation. This way I stayed on top of things, but in a format that was convenient for me.
• Rational planning. In the first three months, it is important not to take on large-scale projects, because this period is for adaptation and finding a new rhythm.

Employer support plays a key role in making life easier for working moms. The hybrid work format and flexible schedule helped me balance both roles, and the nursery and feeding rooms in SoftServe offices allowed me to visit the office and even go on business trips with my son — the first time when he was 2.5 months old.

For those who want to focus on motherhood, SoftServe provides 126 days of paid maternity leave, as well as the possibility of further leave to care for a child up to three years old. At the same time, all conditions are created for working mothers to comfortably combine work and parenthood.

I am convinced that motherhood should not limit career development, and career should not complicate motherhood. With proper support, these areas can coexist harmoniously.

«My approach to work hasn’t changed, but I’ve become more flexible with deadlines»

Before going on maternity leave, I worked at Master of Code Global for 11 years, working my way up from Junior Manual QA to Delivery Operations Director. So, when I found out about my pregnancy, I decided not to put my career on a long pause.

Preparing for maternity leave took almost half a year: I carefully planned and delegated all my responsibilities, created a detailed Maternity Leave plan, recorded instructions and video guides for colleagues with whom we held meetings to convey context. I prepared for the birth of the baby in the same structured way — I took care of everything necessary and organized my life.

Now I work a flexible schedule, about 4-5 hours a day. At this time, my son is with his grandmother or father, although I still pay attention to the baby during working hours. If I need to work in the evening, my husband takes care of my son. I really appreciate the fact that my husband and I are a real team. At the same time, my colleagues are always flexible in their work, so I almost do not have evening meetings.

Now I can do in 4-5 working hours what used to take 8, and I even have new responsibilities. For me, the key points are planning and risk management. If you think systematically and ahead, you don’t have to waste time «putting out fires.»

I optimize routine tasks using AI tools, which saves about 20% of time. I don’t plan more than I can actually do, and if circumstances change (for example, someone gets sick), I reorient my priorities, discarding non-essential tasks. I apply a flexible Agile approach not only in work, but also in life: priorities change → we adapt the plan.

My experience and algorithmic thinking skills also play an important role. In parenting, it works like developing a routine:

• If the baby is crying → he is probably hungry → he needs to be fed.
• If not hungry → you should check the diaper.
• If none of this helps → I pick him up, sing, and soothe him.

What can I advise? Respect and value yourself and your invested resources. Taking care of a child is a job that requires a lot of energy. Delegate: hire a nanny, arrange for help with relatives. Save time on routine tasks — instead of exhausting trips to the store, use online shopping, order cleaning or other services, if possible.

«I never even considered quitting my job. Motherhood is wonderful, but it’s also a 24/7 job.»

Before becoming a mother, I had no idea what awaited me. However, I wasted no time while pregnant and actively prepared myself mentally and physically for the arrival of the child: I signed up for online courses on childbirth preparation, read a lot about care, development, feeding. In short, I learned about everything «childish». However, later I realized that no matter how I
I wasn’t prepared, it’s impossible to 100% predict all the challenges of motherhood and know everything in advance.

In addition, what was read was forgotten very quickly: I suppose, due to the surge
hormones, the brain did not work as quickly as before pregnancy. Therefore, the conclusion is: you need to prepare, but without fanaticism.

As my mother used to tell me, «problems should be solved as they arise.» In my opinion, childbirth preparation courses are a must-have. In this case, knowledge is truly power, as it makes you feel more confident.

If we talk about work, I didn’t even think about leaving it. First of all, because the war is going on, my husband is a soldier and, unfortunately, he can’t be there all the time. You have to rely only on yourself, so maintaining a stable income is critically important. In addition, I didn’t want to lose my job at a time when there is a shortage of vacancies in the IT market.

It wasn’t as difficult as I imagined. During my maternity leave, it seemed like I had forgotten everything, but in reality, four months isn’t that long of a break. Plus, I came back at a good time, in the middle of December, when everyone was
They are preparing for Christmas and New Year and there is not much work.

At the end of my maternity leave, I decided to look for a nanny. As I later realized, it was one of the best decisions I made. I used the services of an agency that searches for candidates according to the family’s list of needs, and the client only needs to apply and wait. Our nanny
It was found in three weeks, and we were very lucky with it, because our daughter simply adores it.

A nanny is probably the biggest life hack for a working mother. Although it is very expensive, it is worth it. Plus, I live with my mother-in-law, who has taken over the cooking and grocery shopping, which is also a huge help.

I don’t have to be torn between cooking, cleaning, and the child. All household duties are clearly divided, and this greatly simplifies life.

Another important factor that makes life easier is the ability to work from home. My daughter is breastfed, so it’s convenient when I’m always around.

The most difficult thing about combining motherhood and employment for me is:

• establishing a routine for the child;
• allocating time for yourself and all «non-mom» things.

Having a nanny helps to solve these problems to some extent. In the two months that she has been working for us, we have managed to establish a more or less stable sleep/feeding regime for our daughter. Of course, the regime for a little one like mine is a very conditional thing, because it all depends on how the night went, what time she woke up, how she feels, what mood she is in, and a bunch of other factors. But it is much easier for me when I clearly know that the nanny will come at a certain time, and that the child should be ready for the first walk and daytime nap by then.

As for time for yourself and proper rest, it seems that we can forget about it for now. Life after the birth of a child will never be the same again. Motherhood is wonderful, but it is also a 24/7 job, because even with help, the main burden falls on the mother. Therefore, I am learning to balance the needs of the child and my own, distributing my time as efficiently as possible.

«My husband and I have an agreement: once a week I go to work and take time for myself — at least half a day.»

When I became a mother, I had the feeling that I didn’t remember what happened BEFORE, as if that life didn’t exist. At the time, it seemed very strange and incomprehensible to me. But now my son is a year old, and I understand why I felt that way. With the birth of a child, you really change — it turns your life upside down, and you seem to learn to live in a new way, in a very cool «new».

Being a first-time mom is really difficult, sometimes very difficult and incomprehensible, but at the same time it’s such a thrill, such joy, such great love!
I can’t even describe the butterflies in my stomach when he runs up to me, hugs me, puts his head on my shoulder, and holds me tightly to him with his little hands.

In the first months, my husband helped me a lot because he worked online. When I needed to do my own things, he stayed with my son, and I could focus on my work.

Now it has become easier for us. Firstly, the baby has an established regime, we have survived all these sleep regressions and «growth spurts», so it has become easier to plan the day. Also, an assistant comes to us three times a week to walk with our son, and I have 1.5-2 hours of free time to work and do everything necessary.

In addition, my husband and I have an agreement: once a week I go to work and take time for myself — at least half a day. Because, as they say: a happy mom means everyone is happy.

I also like working on weekends because then I have more time for my own business, I can take my time and plan which issues need to be resolved first at the beginning of the week.

The most important thing that helped me this year was support, understanding, and rest. When I could go to work, get away from my mom’s everyday life, chat with colleagues, and return to my «past» life for a moment.

And a huge thank you to my colleagues for understanding and supporting a working mother! Being a mother and working is quite possible. The main thing is to find support among loved ones, believe in yourself and do your best.

«We shouldn’t think that having a child will hinder our career and development»

I went back to work with my first child when she was four months old (part-time, though). It was a breath of fresh air for me, because switching from diapers and strollers is really important, even if you’re going from one childcare «job» to another.

With my second daughter, I worked freelance literally from day one. The workload was small, but even that helped me continue to develop and have the opportunity to talk to my loved ones not only about children’s topics.

Later, I joined ZONE3000 and have been working here for four years. Sometimes to the sound of a cheerful song from physical education class or helping solve a math problem, sometimes waiting for a child from the club… It happens differently.

My conclusions/advice on how to combine professional employment and motherhood and stay sane:

1. Time management skills are simply at the top of the list of necessary skills. Especially when a child grows up and starts attending various clubs in addition to kindergarten/school. So without planning the day — mission impossible.
2. A working mother should strive to make her life as easy as possible: use all possible technological advances (robot vacuum cleaners, multicookers, etc.). You don’t have to fall off your feet to prepare dinner after work — sometimes cooking or delivery will save both the situation and the mother’s psyche.
3. Relatives offer help — accept it! Because sometimes we feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, «it’s okay, I’m on my own,» and then this «on my own» results in fatigue, irritation, and other unpleasant things.
4. You need to prepare in advance that everything can go wrong, and this is normal in motherhood. A child will get sick on the day of an important meeting, there will be unplanned repairs at the kindergarten, you will have to sit in the morning and wait for the curfew to go to school because of air pollution, etc. So adaptability is our everything.

In conclusion, I want to say: you should not think that the birth of a child will interfere with our career and development. Yes, it will not be possible to go to work the next day after giving birth, but it is quite possible to return to your favorite business in a few months. And believe me, children have a very positive effect on our productivity. And they also develop the skill of multitasking like no other. So if you are a working mother, you can safely indicate multitasking in your CV.

«It’s easier to go to work when your child is 1 month old than when they are 1 year old»

Olga Pryputa, Rewards & Operations Specialist at Intellias

I love what I do. I had a lot of ideas and plans that I wanted to implement, so I knew I wouldn’t be on maternity leave for long. But one desire wasn’t enough — now there’s another little person who completely changes the rules of the game.

I didn’t want to disrupt the child’s natural rhythm. For the first month, I simply observed: getting to know her schedule, temperament, and adjusting her routine. When I saw that everything was becoming more predictable, I returned to part-time employment.

Going to work when your baby is 1 month old is easier than when she is 1 year old. It may seem illogical to some, but for me it was the most convenient option.

The main thing is time management. If something is not planned, then it most likely will not happen. Planning, lists, delegation are must-haves. Of course, some things had to be rethought. For example, before I cooked completely myself, from daily meals to the holiday cake, now I entrust a significant part to contractors. The support of my mom friends also helps immensely. We exchange experiences, advice, and even just words of support. It is incredibly valuable!

The hardest part is fighting your own inner demons. Perfectionism? Yes, it clearly doesn’t help here. I had to accept that the house won’t always be perfectly clean, dinner will be super healthy, and the schedule will be impeccable. And that’s okay.

However, there are moments that become easier with experience:

1. Adapting to change. The ability to react quickly to unexpected situations is a key skill. The schedule can break at any moment, and instead of panicking, it is better to have a backup plan or simply accept the situation as it is.
2. Priorities. I learned to distinguish between what is truly important and what can be postponed or delegated. For example, if I am tired, it is better to use food delivery than to spend the last resource on cooking.
3. Flexibility in work. And this is a huge bonus that Intellias gives: a free schedule, remote work, understanding of colleagues and managers.
4. Emotional balance. I stopped scolding myself for my imperfections. A child needs a happy, not a perfect mother. Therefore, sometimes I allow myself to just relax, even if it seems like «there is so much to do.»

During my first maternity leave, I tried to follow the Fly Lady and Fly Mama systems. I don’t follow these systems completely, but I adapted them to suit me. Small daily rituals really help avoid chaos. Various apps for organization: a calendar synchronized with the whole family, Keep for to-do lists, an app for household chores, a shopping tracker. Even apps for baby care. Also, support groups, such as BLW complementary feeding, breastfeeding, or just mommy chat, are a huge bonus.

You also need to remember about «expectations vs. reality.» You can make the perfect schedule, but at some point your child will decide that they can’t sleep until three in the morning — and your plan will go to waste. Time for yourself. There’s almost no time for it, so you need to plan for it too: resource recovery, studying — are also items on the to-do list.

Motherhood and work are a challenge. But if you find your system and support, you can combine them!

«Flexible work schedule and planning are two of my superpowers»

I came out of maternity leave when my daughter was 3.5 months old, and I often ask myself why. It seems to me that I’m just a person who can’t sit still. I need movement, new challenges, the feeling that I’m on a wave. In addition, I want to be an example for my daughter — to show that you can love your job, develop, be in good shape, and at the same time remain a loving mother.

I used to think that the main thing is to find a balance. To have time for everything, to keep a balance between work and family, not to «lean» anywhere. Then I came across a book by Tetyana Lukyniuk, the CEO of Google Ukraine, and her words really resonated with me, that no matter how much we look for balance, we can’t find it. Balance sounds somehow ideal, but the reality is a little different — there are always moments when you need to make decisions about what to prioritize right now. It’s important for me to feel support and help, and I’m grateful to my family, who can play with my daughter while I’m at rallies. And sometimes she just goes on calls with me — and my team perceives it as absolutely normal. That’s how it should be, in my opinion.

Currently, inadequate rest and lack of stable sleep are probably the main challenges for me. But this is also my choice. They say that it will be easier from now on, let’s see if it’s true.

There are times when your child needs you and you have an urgent task at work. It’s like a real-time multitasking test. In general, I like this rhythm — combining motherhood and work, going to rallies with my daughter, for example, doing difficult tasks, and then seeing the results of my work. It adds drive, not the other way around.

Flexible work schedule and planning are two of my superpowers. I have a clearly defined time for meetings, when I am at my laptop and can be 200% involved. And everything else is flexible. If I need silence and concentration, I work early in the morning while everyone is sleeping. Or I use the time when the children are sleeping to work focused. By the way, I have noticed that my productivity increases significantly at such moments.

In general, if you’re just starting out as a parent, try different approaches. Here’s what worked for me, and might work for you:

• Don’t be afraid to involve your loved ones. It’s okay to ask for help.
• Use a flexible approach not only at work, but also at home. Adapt your schedule to your professional needs and the needs of your child.
• Prioritize. Don’t try to do everything, focus on what’s important here and now.
• Find, or even schedule, time for yourself. Sometimes moments of silence can restore your energy and give you the strength to move forward.
• Accept the fact that there is no such thing as perfection. Sometimes, going to a rally with a child in your arms is okay, as is turning off your laptop and just being a mom.

The main thing is to do what is comfortable for you, and in no case compare yourself to others.

«Being a mom is a 24/7 job. Being a working mom to a one-year-old is 'PRO' level.»

I was on maternity leave for only 4 months: 2 before my daughter was born and 2 after. If someone asked my advice, I would recommend working until the last day (of course, if your health and well-being allow), because then you have more time to spend with the baby after his birth.

One of the reasons is the desire to maintain my sanity. During maternity leave with my first child, I was at home for three years, and it felt like the world was changing, technology was moving forward, but I wasn’t. This time, I wanted to stay in the professional rhythm.

The art of multitasking helps here. I have breakfast while holding my child in my arms, check my work email — rocking the stroller with my foot. Sometimes my daughter sleeps, eats, and plays right in the office. Intellias has a children’s room with a nanny and a special feeding area for such cases. It saves.

The ability to work remotely and a flexible work schedule also helps a lot.

Among the difficulties is seeing the eyes of a child crying and begging to stay with her, while I have to go to answer a call or perform an urgent task. It tears me apart from the inside. Young children live in the here and now, and do not understand that their mother will soon return. For her, this separation is unbearable.

At the same time, this experience has brought ease of working in stressful conditions. While some people need complete silence to gather their thoughts, with children you learn to find order even in complete chaos, work quickly and efficiently, and focus even when you’re flying on a trampoline, while the «apocalypse» and «gladiator fights» are going on all around.

A nanny is a must-have. But if she is sick or cannot work for personal reasons, the situation becomes difficult. Sometimes I leave the baby with my husband.

The best time to work is when the kids are asleep. It’s quiet, you can work in peace. Also, there are no distractions from work chats and correspondence.

A work laptop is always at risk. Little fingers somehow magically find the exact key combination that deletes an important document after touching the keyboard for less than a minute. And headphones should have active noise cancellation.

And yet, despite the fatigue, sleepless nights, and marathons between the office and the playground, it is an interesting, albeit difficult, adventure that allows you to combine self-realization and the happiness of being a mother.

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