When I was pregnant with my first son, I read book after book. All about pregnancy, the first year of my baby’s life, all of it. The one I want to talk about today is The Working Mother’s Guide to Life by Linda Mason.

Mason is a mother of 3 herself, and co-founded Bright Horizons. This book helped me realize, even before I held my son for the first time, that I would return to work.

After having read this book, I began to understand that I needed a plan for how I would be both mother and career-woman. I had waited until my career was established to begin having children, and I knew I wanted to continue it once they were a part of my life.

Mason offered insight into this thinking that neither confirmed, nor condemned it, and that was refreshing. She offered practical tips that I use to this day to help keep daily life on track. She explained how to find and offer my children the best options for care when I am not able to be with them myself. She reminded me that I have many roles to play, including wife and colleague.

If you are conflicted about returning to work, Linda eases the transition. I still cried the first time I had to leave my sons in someone else’s care (yep, cried for each one of them). I still worry about them when I can’t attend a field trip. I still feel guilt when I don’t deliver the perfect experiences for them, but I know that I am being a better mother by accepting who I am, and I know they are better kids for having to share me.