3 tips to help you prepare for returning to the workplace after maternity leave - Rose, You Beyond Baby
/3 tips to help you prepare for returning to the workplace after maternity leave
Returning to the workplace after maternity leave is a big deal for any mum, whether you are looking forward to it, dreading it or are feeling somewhere in between. In my work as a Coach, I’ve heard from mums who have been experiencing anything from:
• Feeling upset at the thought of being away from their baby,
• Lacking confidence in being able to do their job again,
• Worrying everything might have changed in the workplace since they were last there,
• Guilt over being a working mum
• Wondering how they are going to achieve their career ambitions,
• Feeling unsure how they are going to manage the juggle around childcare drop offs, pick ups, sickness days and so on…
It’s a lot of unknowns to think about, particularly with your first baby. It can feel unsettling and upsetting in the weeks or even months in the lead up to returning to the workplace. All this can end up impacting the time you do have with your baby and lead to an increase of negative thoughts about going back to your job.
So what could help you prepare for your return to the workplace?
1. Dig deeper into the worries or thoughts that are coming up for you
Notice whenever you have a feeling or thought about the end of your maternity leave - write it down and then reflect on it. For example, if you’re struggling with guilt over being away from your baby while you’re working, try asking yourself:
• Where is this guilt coming from?
• Is this guilt helping the situation?
• How could you look at it differently?
Challenging yourself to pick apart the thoughts you are having about your return to work can help you get a better understanding of what the issue really is and then work out how you are going to take action on it so you can move forward.
2. Prioritise what matters most to you
When we are approaching a time of change it can be a great opportunity to reflect on what is most important to us and how we would like to be spending our time. Returning to work after maternity leave means suddenly juggling work, family, home, relationships, life admin, friends, time for you and so on…
It can feel like a lot because it is a lot! It can be easy to pack in more and more into your non-work time to try and fit everything in, but this may leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and eventually burnt out.
Take some time to think about what your priorities are. Is it quality family time, a weekly exercise class, a regular date night?
Once you’ve decided what your priorities are, work out what you need to put in place so that they don't slip and so that you can ensure your needs are being met?
3. Support network
Throughout your maternity leave you might have made some lovely mum friends who you have shared the last few months with. That support network is invaluable – I know that from my own experience.
But what about mums who are six months to a year on from where you are now? They might be friends you already have, friends of friends, colleagues from your workplace. They are women who have been through the transitions from working in their job pre-baby, to being on maternity leave and then back again and have had a little bit of time to adjust to life as a working mum.
Is there anyone you can catch up with for a coffee to hear about their experiences and ask any questions that you have on your mind?
What next…
I hope you’ve found these tips helpful. I’d love to hear how you are feeling about your return to work from maternity leave so send me an email at rose@youbeyondbaby.com.
It can be a really challenging time so whatever you are feeling be kind to yourself.
Wishing you all the best,
Rose
