I recently returned to work after a six-month maternity leave. I was fortunate to have had so much time off to bond with my son and adjust to life as a family of three. Despite my best efforts to stay present and make the most of each day, the internal countdown clock inevitably began a few months in. My return to work was always looming. Like many other moms before me, I had anxiety about going back. The idea of being away from my son all day kept me up at night.
Plus, how on earth would I juggle it all? A daily commute to the city, a demanding job with sometimes long hours and travel, daycare drop-offs and pick-ups, keeping our home in somewhat decent shape, and the list goes on. People do it all the time, I told myself, it’ll be just fine.
To appease my inner control freak about the uncertainty ahead, I decided to focus on a few of the things I was anxious about and used the last two weeks of my leave to prepare for life as a working mom. I’m sure experienced moms who have managed the maternity leave/return-to-work transition once, twice, or even three times already could teach me a thing or two.
But if you’re a new mom heading back to work soon, here are four practical tips that worked for me and helped ease the transition.
1. Get in some “me time.”
Self-care is really important, especially for moms. We are so focused on taking care of others that we can fall into the bad habit of neglecting ourselves. I still haven’t come close to striking a balance here, but before going back to work, I made time for a haircut, dusted off my heels, and invested in a few new work outfits that made me feel professional again.
There are a lot of things I miss about maternity leave, but nursing tanks aren’t one of them! I got a new work bag that would accommodate my laptop, files, and pumping supplies. Get a massage, paint your nails, go for a run. Whatever it may be, before going back to work, take the time to do a few things that make YOU feel good about yourself and more ready to face the day.
2. Transition to daycare or a care provider.
We started daycare part-time a few days before I went back to work, so my husband and I could spend some time there with our son. We got to know the teachers, the other kids, and the parents, and their daily activities. Our son adjusted to a new environment, and having familiar faces there with him seemed to help. Whatever your childcare arrangement is, if it’s feasible for you to ease into your new routine over a few days, I highly recommend it. It brought us peace of mind and a level of comfort we wouldn’t have had otherwise.
3. Prepare for your commute.
Like many Fairfield County moms, I commute into the city every day, so I purchased my monthly train pass in advance, tested out my garage access card, and filled the car with gas. I mapped out the train times for my new schedule (gone are the days of staying in the office until 8 p.m!) and tested the drive from the train station to my son’s daycare during rush hour to find the quickest route. Whatever your commute entails, a practice run can make you feel a lot less jittery on your first day back.
4. A Sunday well spent.
The weekend before my return to work, I finished up laundry and cleaned up around the house. I meal-prepped some easy, healthy, grab-and-go breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I made and froze some baby food since we were starting our son on solids that week. The fewer things you have to worry about or even think about that first week back, the better.
Above all, remember to go easy on yourself. We can be our own worst critics sometimes. It’s a major transition, and it takes time to get back into a (new) groove.
Lean on your mom friends for advice and support – this has helped me immeasurably. Know that nothing is permanent, and you can make adjustments if needed. In no time, it will feel like this has always been your routine!
