NewMom: Nesting at the Office

I’ve heard all about the nesting instinct that’s supposed to be kicking in at home. Yet somehow my house is a mess, I have boxes of baby clothes and gifts left unsorted, bills to be paid, and a grocery list that’s been growing for weeks. None of it feels excessively urgent.

But ever since my doctor gave me a date to induce me, I’ve become super-humanly productive at work. My work is very unpredictable, and typically my strength is in being able to react at a moment’s notice. On the flip side, my weakness is in planning ahead. Give me two weeks to do something and it may never get done. Give me two hours — or even two minutes — and you can expect perfection.

But all of a sudden, I’ve been filing like a fiend, putting things in order so that others may find them when I’m not here. I’ve written weeks worth of articles for publications that have not yet been planned. I’ve enthusiastically and efficiently scheduled meeting after meeting with colleagues to prepare them for the changes that will be associated with my leave.

I never expected that when I found my nest it would be at work. Please tell me that soon — very soon — that birdie will fly home. My fridge is empty, the laundry looms, and someone really needs to wash that kitchen floor.