The Jarring Transition 😖😩

Navigating Your Partner's Return to Work Postpartum

July 15 loomed over me for weeks.

I was in denial.

As the date crept closer, I couldn’t shake the dread…the pit in my stomach.

Early postpartum for me was a lot of things: relief, gratitude, bliss, exhaustion, soreness, weakness—a raw, tender blend of it all. But one thing I couldn’t deny was how deeply supported I felt.

My husband, umma, mother-in-law, postpartum doula, and my village held me with such care. I knew how rare that was, especially here in the U.S.

Even during moments of despair—like when I almost got mastitis and my breasts painfully hardened like concrete from clogged ducts—I never doubted was the love and support around me.

But as April turned into May, May into June, and July 15 edged closer, a cloud of dread and avoidance surrounded us.

“How are you feeling?” people asked. “Nick’s going back to work soon, right?”

I’d nod begrudgingly.

“Yup… July 15. He has to go to Dallas.”

For an entire week.

1 week before Nick went back to work…can you see the dread in my face? 🤪 jk I was very happy in this moment, in our first family photoshoot

From Cocoon to the Outside World

One moment, Nick was home with us, immersed in newborn bonding, caring for Teo, for me, and for our home. The next, he was heading to Texas for a week-long company training, surrounded by hundreds of colleagues.

Looking back, I realize how jarring that must have been for him too—transitioning from the quiet intimacy of early fatherhood to the fast-paced demands of his tech job, all while navigating his own identity shift and hormonal changes (#patrescence). Especially since his role was usually remote, and we weren’t accustomed to him commuting, let alone traveling out of state.

At the time, though, I could barely hold space for my own emotions, let alone his.

The Shift Wasn’t Just Logistics

Logically, I knew I’d be okay.

My mother-in-law planned to come for few hours each day, we found a last-minute nanny, and I was even a bit excited to dive back into my business.

But emotionally? I was on edge. Sad, scared, annoyed, and angry that our beautiful cocoon of care was dissolving. It felt like a door being closed permanently, and I wasn’t ready.

To add to the challenge, my mom, who had planned to support me in the afternoons, had to leave for Korea unexpectedly. I scrambled to adjust, as more unpredictable changes kept arising.

I remember handing my son to our new nanny for the first time. Even though she was in the house, my heart felt uneasy.

The hardest part wasn’t just the logistics. It was the anticipatory fear.

• What if all the support I had disappears?

• What if I’m left to do this alone?

This feeling is so common among my clients too. The jarring shift when a partner returns to work, routines change, or support begins to wane.

Reframing the Shift

What if this transition didn’t mean the end of support but the beginning of a new rhythm?

The cocoon doesn’t have to dissolve overnight; it can transform into something that works for this stage of postpartum.

Yes, we live in a system that pressures us to “get back to normal” far too quickly. Postpartum recovery can take years, yet parental leave policies in the U.S. don’t account for this reality.

No wonder our bodies and minds resist these artificial timelines.

But here’s the truth: oftentimes, your support system is still there, waiting for you to ask for help or set new terms.

You’re in the driver’s seat.

This transition doesn’t have to be black and white. You’re still in your recovery season, and you get to create a second stage of your postpartum experience on your own terms.

Here’s What Helped Me (and My Clients):

1. Schedule Support in Advance. Plan for a rhythm of care—like grandma days, nanny hours, or co-parenting time with friends.

2. Carve Out Daily Joy. Prioritize small moments of joy, not as a nice-to-have luxury but as a top priority essential nourishment.

3. Reframe the Shift. Your ecosystem isn’t gone; it’s evolving to meet this new stage of postpartum.

It’s a radical act to carve out space for yourself in a world that doesn’t prioritize mothers.

But when you do, not only do you blossom, your entire family thrives too.

For the Mothers Who Feel the Weight

If you’re in this place of transition—whether it’s your partner returning to work, changing routines, or your own shifting identity—I see you. This is hard, and you don’t have to do it alone.

One of my clients recently shared:

“Eunice helped me make the transition of my husband going back to work feel less jarring. She helped me bring the lessons from the early newborn parenthood days with me to this next phase. Without her pointing it out, I wouldn’t have realized that I was about to go into survival mode.

My husband and I were able to have a constructive conversation about how we can fit in time for ourselves and for the individual things we like to do. I was able to communicate in a calm manner, even though the topic was one that historically gets heated for us.”

Limited 1:1 Spots, Booking for January:

Private Coaching for Postpartum Mothers

My 1:1 coaching helps mothers navigate transitions with trust, courage, and joy, whether you’re in the early weeks or later years.

Together we’ll:

• Rediscover your identity in alignment with the person you’re becoming.

• Build an adaptable ecosystem of support.

• Thrive beyond survival mode in ways that feel deeply aligned with your values.

What You’ll Receive:

• Weekly Private Coaching Calls: Individualized support with session recaps and actionable next steps.

• Somatic Healing Tools: Deepen your connection with your mind, body, and spirit through trauma-informed practices.

• Emotional Support: Receive the care of a doula and culturally-informed coach.

• Ongoing Support Between Sessions: Text and voice note support to fit your fluid schedule.

I have 4 spots open for January. Sliding scale options are available for those who need fewer coaching calls but still want voice/text support in between.

Schedule your consultation in December to reserve your spot, and we’ll be able to start with voice/text support even before January.

Let’s redefine your postpartum journey together. Become the cyclebreaker, mother, advocate, and future ancestor you desire to be—all while prioritizing your peace and joy.

Rooting for you,
Eunice

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Hi! I’m Eunice KS (she/her)—a mother, somatic life coach, doula, and Korean American eldest daughter of immigrants. Read more about my story here.