Returning to work

Rolling, sitting unassisted, starting solids…there’s tons of information and discussion surrounding all of your baby’s milestones. But what about the milestones of Mom’s? 

There are plenty of milestones reached in the first year or two (and beyond) of parenthood. One of the biggest, perhaps, is returning to work after parental leave. This blog will give you some tips for preparing to return to work, and how employers can help moms feel supported.

Finding your “work identity” again

Becoming a mother is life altering. It’s normal to feel like you’ve lost yourself a little bit along the way. Whether your leave from work was 12 weeks or 12 months, you’ve likely spent most of that time thinking about diaper changes and sleep regressions, and none of it thinking about work.

So how do you suddenly shift from mom to working mom? Of course it’s different for everyone in every role, but if you’re feeling a little lost, here are some ways to shift your focus slightly:

Try reaching out to coworkers a few weeks before you’re due to start back. This will help you reconnect and get a feel for how things at your workplace have changed.

Be honest with your boss. Let them know what you need to make the transition a positive one. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with your boss, connect with your HR representative. It’s important that you’re feeling heard and supported at work. It can also be helpful to find support from other working parents via social media groups, forums, etc.

Test out your new routine. Do a few days of daycare (or whatever care you’re using for your child while at work) before you go back. Not only is this helpful for your baby, but test driving your new routine will help you get the kinks out. And having a few baby-free hours will help you get comfortable just being with yourself again.

Understand what the new you has to offer. Becoming a mother changes you. You have new priorities, new goals, new everything! But that doesn’t mean you're any less valuable at work. In fact, studies show that mothers often have some of the most beneficial characteristics for any workplace:

• Master Multi-Tasker - balancing multiple demands is an everyday reality for moms!
• Efficiency Guru - understanding that they could get pulled away at any moment means moms often reach sky high levels of productivity during their work hours. 
• Resilient Hero - moms learn adaptability basically as soon as they become pregnant! They typically adjust quickly when thrown a curveball.

What about employers?

Moms and their families can do plenty to make the transition back to work easier and as positive as possible. There are a few things employers can do as well though, to help moms feel better about this new chapter.

• Provide flexible work arrangements - allowing for slight adjustments to parents’ hours or working location can be incredibly helpful. 
• Have a return to work plan - there’s already so much uncertainty for parents returning to work. Don’t add to it. Have a clear plan for how they’ll reintegrate into their workplace and their team. 
• Provide support and community - check in on folks who have returned recently from parental leave and encourage them to be honest about how they’re feeling. Knowing they can come to their employer if they’re struggling will relieve a lot of unnecessary stress. 
  
  

Whether you’re excited, overwhelmed, nervous or a combination of things - whatever you’re feeling about your return to work is normal. Milestones are big moments that come with a lot of emotions and change. You have to start slow, and do what’s right for you. Just like your baby’s milestones, you have to walk before you run.