Abbey Holmes, a 34-year-old media personality, is one of many enterprising young women wreaking havoc on Australian television. She’s already back at work with Seven’s AFL coverage just weeks after giving birth to her son, Brax. Little Brax came into the world on June 6. Ever since, Holmes has been trying to juggle the demands of being a new mom with her career.
Holmes officially marked her return to work on July 25, within two months of delivering her son. She now works part-time, two days a week, aiming to create that work-life balance as she settles into her new role as a mom. Her husband, Keegan Brooksby, has been super supportive through this change. Holmes even referred to him as “super dad” for all that he did.
Holmes herself enjoyed a pretty uneventful pregnancy path, what she calls a “textbook” experience. She found out she was pregnant at 12 weeks pregnant and had already lost the whole first trimester. For the majority of her pregnancy, she felt anything but atypical and drained. She calls her job a passion of hers, which was key in keeping sharp enough to work all the way up to the delivery of Brax.
“I think my work for me, it’s so important. I genuinely love what I do. It doesn’t feel like work in any way shape or form,” – Abbey Holmes
Her decision to return to work so quickly has been praised and condemned by the public. Though most everyone has been supportive, Holmes recognized that a small group of people continue to wonder about her decisions. She reminded us that positive parenting is everyone’s business.
“There’s certainly a small minority of people out there that feel that they have the right to tell you what you should be doing and how things are to be done, which is never the case,” – Abbey Holmes
Holmes had to challenge fathers’ outmoded images of themselves and what role they could play in taking care of their children. She even noted the misperception that calling fathers babysitters is a bad thing.
“(Someone said) ‘oh dad’s on babysitting duty’. I’m sorry, but dads don’t babysit their own children, they’re 50 per cent of the parenting duo,” – Abbey Holmes
Though Holmes reenters the workforce, she hopes to be able to have a voice for making the pursuit of professional efforts and family life possible. She’s convinced that nobody’s story is the same, and there’s a better balance to be struck.
“Everybody’s situation and circumstances are different and I think that (having) a career and wanting a family and having children, they can certainly coexist. I’m certainly kind of living that at the moment,” – Abbey Holmes
Holmes reached out to her obstetrician, Dr. Scott Shemer, who reminded her that postpartum care is individualized. All women should be able to return to work after the birth of a child whenever they’re ready to do so. Given that everyone’s recovery process is different, there is no set timeline.
“Everyone has a very different physical recovery,” – Dr. Scott Shemer
Holmes’ restlessness and desire to return to work so soon after giving birth did not escape Dr. Shemer’s notice, and she confirmed her resolve. He admitted that he’s heard from a number of women who have experienced the opposite, especially with regard to a unique struggle to juggle childcare and work responsibilities.
“A lot of people say, ‘I’m not ready to put my child in childcare’, but they’ve got grandparents or a partner who can take extended leave,” – Dr. Scott Shemer
Holmes’ decision to return to work has opened a conversation about the realities faced by new parents in balancing their professional goals with family responsibilities.
