Maternity leave is often one of the most joyous periods of any woman’s life – but what happens when it comes to an end? Leaving that tiny little baby after so many wonderful months together can be emotional, but with focus, determination and a few teary goodbyes you can make it work. Honestly! With this in mind, here’s a guide on how you can make the transition from full-time mummy to working parent as easy as possible.
Make suitable childcare arrangements
Whether you’re heading back to the telecommunications job you found via CCJM or will return to pushing paper and answering emails, it’s essential to make suitable childcare arrangements for the hours you’ll be away. This is not only for your child’s benefit but for yours too: if you know your baby is being well taken care of you will be much more settled at work. Of course, choosing a babysitter or nursery is a big decision for any mother, so take your time and ensure you are 100 per cent happy with your choice.
Start thinking about childcare well before you’re due to go back to work as many nurseries offer inductions and settle in periods. Often, you can go along with your baby for an hour or two to see how things work and get your little one used to the environment before they’re left alone for the first time. Similarly, with private babysitters, it’s a good idea to spend time with your chosen carer before you go back to work so you can build a relationship.
Embrace change and don’t expect to be perfect
Having a baby is one of the biggest experiences any woman can go through and you might be feeling like a completely different person since the birth. Your whole life has changed, so don’t expect to slip back into working life as if nothing has happened. There will be times when you wonder what you’re doing and feel an immense sense of guilt, but this is all part of parenthood. Instead of resenting yourself or questioning your decisions, remember you’re doing this for your family and embrace the change in your life.
What’s more, you have many more things to juggle now you have a puking, pooping machine to navigate so don’t expect to be perfect all the time. Sure, you need to be professional and fulfill your duties as best you can but if you slip up here and there, don’t be too hard on yourself – especially after a sleepless night or ten.
If you really feel things are getting on top of you, speak with your boss and air any grievances or problems you might have, after all, a problem shared is a problem halved. Moreover, don’t be afraid to reach out to other mothers. Speak to women at work who have had kids or (if you work with a bunch of males) check out useful sites online such Working Mums.
Know your rights
With so many things to juggle on a daily basis, it can be easy to become flustered over the smallest things. One of the best ways to settle your mind when it comes to returning to work is to know your rights and understand the facts. If you’re still breastfeeding, for instance, you might worry that you’ll have to stop when you restart your job when actually you have every right to continue. Employers must provide an adequate space for you to feed/express and a safe/hygienic place to keep sterilized equipment and milk. Similarly, you’re allowed to take reasonable emergency time off for a dependent, so if your little one gets sick or there are problems with childcare you can sort out the problem without it affecting your rights. There’s plenty more information online, so read up and know the facts as this will help you make informed decisions down the line.
Going back to work after maternity leave can be a real challenge, but with a little organisation and planning you can achieve peace of mind and find the perfect work/life balance.