Returning to work after maternity leave: Sam’s experience at LHi Group
Returning to work after maternity leave can bring a whole new set of routines, priorities and expectations to navigate.
For Samantha Keay, Director at Piper Maddox in New York City, coming back after having her daughter, Aurora, has meant working out what being ambitious about her career and present at home looks like now.
We caught up with Sam following her return to hear how she’s found the transition, what balance looks like as a working mum and how motherhood has given her a new perspective on work and leadership.
Returning to work after maternity leave
“It’s been a rollercoaster! From a work perspective, in a lot of ways it feels like I never left, despite plenty having changed while I was away. What has changed most is probably how I approach my role and my time.”
Sam returned just as ambitious about her career, but has had to work out what showing up for both work and her family looks like now.
“Balancing work and being a mum looks different every day. I’m ambitious about my career and I also want to be really present at home, so I’m learning what it looks like to show up as my best self in both places.”
A big part of that has been letting go of the idea that returning to work means going back to exactly how things were before.
“I spent a long time knowing exactly how I worked best, what I could give to my role and what success looked like for me. Coming back has meant giving myself permission to rethink some of that rather than trying to recreate exactly how I operated before maternity leave.”
Finding balance as a working parent
For Sam, balance doesn’t look the same every day. Instead, she’s become much more intentional with her time.
“On days I’m in the office, if I’m in early – sometimes before Aurora is even awake – I really try to make sure I’m home for bedtime. Other days, I might have more time with her in the morning and work later.”
That can sometimes mean logging back on once Aurora is asleep, but there are parts of the day she tries to protect.
“Protecting that 5–7pm window with her when I can is incredibly important to me. I’ve realised balance for me isn’t about splitting everything perfectly; it’s about being clear on what matters most in that moment.”
PACE, LHi’s internal community for parents and carers, also gives people across the business a space to connect with others navigating the same stage of life.
“Everyone’s experience is so different, but there’s definitely something reassuring about knowing there are other people navigating the same juggle.”
And when it comes to those first few weeks back, Sam doesn’t believe in pretending they’re easy.
“The first month will be HARD. There is no point sugar-coating it or pretending it won’t be. Separation anxiety is real – for babies and parents – and you just have to get through the first few weeks to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
A new perspective on leadership
While there’s been plenty to adjust to, time away has also given Sam the chance to come back to Piper Maddox with a fresh perspective.
“I’m excited to approach my role with a different perspective. Time away gave me the opportunity to step outside of the day-to-day and come back looking at the business, my team and my own leadership through a slightly different lens.”
As she settles into this next chapter, Sam is looking forward to bringing new ideas to her role and continuing to develop as a leader.
“I think becoming a mum has changed my perspective in ways I’m probably still discovering, and I’m excited to see how that shapes this next chapter.”
Sam is still figuring out what this new version of balance looks like, but she’s clear that becoming a mum has changed the way she thinks about her time, her role and what comes next.
At LHi Group, we want our people to feel supported as their careers and lives evolve. Discover more about life at LHi and how you can build a career that works for you.