5 Things to Consider When Returning to Work After Maternity Leave
It doesn’t matter how long you have been on maternity leave – returning to work can be extremely daunting. As well as having to maneuver a new routine, you must contend with the prospect of leaving your baby for long periods, so it can be emotional.
If you are in this situation and looking for tips and advice, read on.
Here are 5 things to consider when returning to work after maternity leave.
Childcare
Working and having kids can be a logistical nightmare, so one of the first things you should organize is childcare. If you have parents or other family members who have offered to take care of your baby, it may not be as much of a problem, but when you are reliant on childminders, it can be a little tricky.
That is why you must ensure you have childcare organized before agreeing on a return-to-work date with your employer – or you could face a rather big problem.
Be organized
An organized daily routine is crucial when you are a busy working mom. If you don’t do this, every day will feel chaotic, which may impact the time you spend with your child and could also be detrimental to how well you carry out your role at work. Compile to-do lists, plan things out and structure your day, and life will be much easier.
Feeding your baby
If you are breastfeeding and plan on doing so after returning to work, you should discuss this with your employer. It will allow you to properly plan when and where you intend to feed your baby and will be a weight off your mind.
If your employers are not comfortable with this, sex discrimination legal specialists should be able to explain your rights and help you take action if necessary. The majority of employers will be more than happy to be flexible, so it’s not something you should be too concerned about.
Do a few practice runs
If you are a stay-at-home mom, you are less likely to have a strict routine or deadlines to meet. Life may be just as hard, but you at least have more time on your hands. When you start working again, that will likely change, so it’s worth doing a few practice runs in terms of your morning routine.
Getting up, dressed, and ready and making sure your little one is ready to go can take time and effort, but once you’ve done it a few times, it will become much easier.
Look on the bright side
You may be apprehensive about leaving your baby, but once you get used to it, you will both be fine. Lots of working moms say that going back to work is the best thing they ever did, so you must try to focus on the positives. You might not be able to spend as much time with your child as you used to, but you will cherish the time you have together even more.
