There’s nothing so great like maternity leave. You’ll probably never have a time like it again. It’s probably going to be the only period in your life where it’s completely okay to stay at home with your baby and simply bond. 

For many women, it’s the most precious time in their child’s life, and so when it ends, it can cause havoc in a family. It’s not just the emotional aspect, but also it is undoubtedly nerve-racking to have to leave your baby with another caretaker.

Tips for New Moms Going Back to Work After Maternity Leave

  • Try to separate work from family in your mind and make time for yourself. Guarantee yourself that you will do one thing for yourself each week, even if it’s just painting your toe-nails.
  • Make mealtimes family time. Prepare your meals the night before to save time and get home for work early to eat with your family. Make sure that your partner shares the workload here.
  • Talk about taking one day off each week, rather than returning full time. From time to time, it can make all the difference, and you’re more likely to make the most of that precious day with the kids too. If your finances can allow, it might be just what you need to survive the return to work.
  • Make a schedule and stick to it. If you know you have a certain number of practical tasks to complete each week, then make a timetable to do them and make sure the rest of the family know about it. Add your partner to the list, to make sure that chores are shared reasonably.
  • Talk to your employer about how you’re feeling. This is an important one because if your boss isn’t aware of any issues, you will never find a solution. If you find that your workload or working hours are affecting the time you spend with the family, be open about finding a compromise. If you can work more flexible hours, then maybe that’s a solution? Either way, it pays to be direct and honest.
  • Make the most of the weekend. This one is easier said than done. Don’t worry about deadlines that are approaching or that report you didn’t finish. If you can find the ‘off switch’, then that’s one of the best things you can do for your family at the weekend.
  • Be kind to yourself. Don’t expect to get all of your planned tasks done, at the end of the day, working and looking after children is exhausting. If the hoovering has to be skipped in favor of one more bedtime story, then skip it. The house won’t fall apart.
  • Save. This is a great tip!. Even if you’re returning to work because your finances depend on it, putting aside just $20 or more each week can be useful. When there’s enough in the pot, take the kids out for a treat, or spend it on yourself. Be self-aware that you are out there earning money, and that’s why you’re away from your kids. This might seem a little silly, but sometimes it’s nice to know not all of your hard-earned money is going on groceries and other bills!
  • Plan your daycare early. If your return to work seems months off, don’t just put it to the back of your mind and forget all about it. Sometimes the best daycares have long waiting lists, and planning this ahead of time is one headache less. Please spend some time before you return to work, making sure your child is settled with their new caretaker before you add in the stress of returning to the workplace.

    Check out these 5 Tips on What to Look for In a Daycare

It really is hard emotionally when you return to work after maternity leave. There are several factors to consider, and for some moms, it can be heartbreaking having to leave a child and return to a job that is not appreciated.

The truth is that most of us need to work to pay the bills or to maintain a sense of individuality, or both. Whatever the reason is, returning to work is a necessity for many moms, and that’s why we at Multiples and More are interested in offering as much support and advice as we can.