The "mother of all job changes"

Yesterday I left for work when my baby was sleeping, and I stayed late trying to solve a problem. When I got home, I had just enough time to eat dinner and give L. a goodnight kiss before putting her to bed.

It's hard trying to find the right balance between career and family. I feel lucky to have found a balance in my life that works for me, although not without painful trade-offs. But I would be miserable if I didn't get to see my daughter more than half an hour every day.

Going back to work after having a baby can be a difficult transition, but here's an idea: London's Financial Times had a recent article about a new service called "maternity coaching," which some firms are introducing in an effort to retain working mothers.

According to the Times: "Maternity coaching typically involves confidential one-to-one sessions before, during and after a woman's maternity leave, although it can be delivered in groups. It deals with practicalities, such as how the woman ensures a smooth handover, how much communication she wants from her employer while she is away, and how to set boundaries on returning to cope with the combined demands of work and home life.

"Coaching also addresses the emotional side, including a woman's changing sense of identity and the need to regain confidence."

The goal? To try to retain women in mid-level and senior positions.

I'm all for anything that lends support to new mothers. We face enough challenges already.