Tips for returning to work after maternity leave!

In August 2018, I returned from maternity leave after 9 months off. I absolutely loved being off on maternity leave. It was such an experience, an incredible learning curve and special time in my life. However, I 100% love being back at work. I am not going to lie though, those first few weeks/months can be a challenge while you settle in to the new routine and back into the world of work. 

You’re battling those mixed emotions……. wanting to go back to work, continue your career, be independent again, have more adult conversation, be mentally stimulated, earn money and be able to drink a cup of coffee (while it’s still hot!) < versus > not wanting to leave your child, worrying how they’ll settle into nursery/childcare, will I have forgotten how to do my job? Will my job have forgotten me? How will I manage the morning rush, commute, drop-off/pick-up, organise dinner, bath-time, bedtime, shop, clean, do the washing and do my job?! So much to think about – how will you make it happen?! 

There is no one-size-fits-all. Be realistic. Do what works for you.

Plan your new routine. The more you plan, the easier it is. How long will it take you to get ready in the morning? What time do you need to drop your child off at nursery? How long will it take to get to work? 

Prepare. The night before, get your clothes out, your child’s clothes out, nappies out, nursery bag packed, lunches ready, dinner planned etc. Then in the morning rush you’re not running around the house looking for socks and nappies! It’s all sorted.

Don’t overstretch. There is so much happening in your week now, juggling work/children/pets/food shopping/making dinner/fitness, it’s important not to over-commit in those first few weeks/months while you’re getting used to your new routine. Rein it in a little and give yourself time to settle in to that new routine. Even if that means you don’t socialise quite as much, do a few less gym classes or order your food shop online rather than go to a store. 

Consider new ways of working. Can you do compressed hours? Can you work from home at all? Can you do different hours? Full-time or part-time?

Your first week back. I’d suggest doing shorter days or a shorter week in your first week back so it’s more of a slow introduction back to work. You will be exhausted! Ease yourself back in.

Plan for sickness. When your little one goes to nursery/childcare, they will pick up things that make them unwell in the first few weeks as they mix with and meet other children. They will pick up things such as a cold, sickness, chickenpox etc. When your child is unwell, who will look after them? What’s your plan A, B & C as they build up their immune system to the germs in everyday life? In those first few weeks, be prepared for them being ill (and sorry to say but you are likely to catch it too!).

Confidence gap. When you’ve been off it’s likely someone else will have been doing your job and coming back you may have a sense of, will I have forgotten everything? Will I remember how to do my job? Will I be better at my job than before? Give yourself time to settle back in and get up to speed with things that have changed. Is there new systems or processes to learn? There will be lots to refresh on! I remembered a lot more than I thought I would – a bit like riding a bike I guess.

Be good to yourself. Going back to work is exhilarating, challenging and totally exhausting! You need to look after yourself at the same time. As well as looking after your child and doing your job, you need to think about you too. Don’t sit there on your phone on social media late at night when you’re up early in the morning. If you think you need to go to bed at 10pm then go to bed at 10pm – try not to get side-tracked.

Give yourself a break. If it’s been a super busy day, everything is back-to-back and you’re rushing – don’t feel guilty popping Peppa Pig on for 5 minutes so your little one is entertained, and you can sit and have a cup of tea. I quickly realised that you don’t get prizes in parenting. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes you just have to do what works for you. Don’t judge yourself, go with the flow and do what you think is right. There’s no one-size-fits-all. 

Talk to others. Speak to others in a similar situation returning to work. Share things that work well for you or things you find hard – others in similar situations may have some great tips that could help you.

If you’re heading back to work soon, don’t worry, you’ve got this!