Many new mothers find it hard to settle back to work after their maternity leave has ended. I have skills in my sector (Marketing) and I'm sure I could find another job if I had to. Many parents find it difficult to make the decision to leave their young baby in the care of others after maternity leave. isInViewCK=function(t){if(!t)return;var n=t.getBoundingClientRect();return 2222>n.top||-2222>n.top}; How to cope: Many women feel as if they “lose” the last few weeks or even month of their maternity leave because they’re looking toward the future and are so focused on what’s going to happen. Find advice, support, and good company (and some stuff just for fun). How to cope: You were a woman before you became a mother, and being back at work allows you to — well, maybe at least some of the time — take some pleasure in that. Join my newsletter and download this amazing resource below—at no cost to you: fcInited=!1; You’re entitled to return to the same job after maternity leave if you’ve been away 26 weeks or less. Wanting to make money and a contribution to something else besides kids. This will make the transition easier for both of you! Going back into a work environment after time spent away from it can seem pretty daunting, but there are some things you can do to help. I hear you. var s=document.createElement('script');s.async=true;s.onload=function(){};s.src='//forms.convertkit.com/347973?v=6'; One of the best ways to stop feeling depressed about going back to work after maternity leave is to remind yourself of its many benefits. Plan a reward that will help you get through the first week back at work. The good news is that knowing what to expect those first weeks back can help smooth the transition. If you find yourself wishing you were back with your baby instead of at work, take a look at these insights that will cheer you up. During the last few weeks of your maternity leave you may experience anticipatory anxiety about going back to work — which is completely understandable. Here’s how to cope with the roller coaster of emotions you may experience along the way: During the last few weeks of your maternity leave you may experience anticipatory anxiety about going back to work — which is completely understandable. Caroline Morvan, Internal Communications Manager, explains that new parents should look into childcare that works for them before starting work as it can be difficult to organise. One of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes goes like this: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect mother. And finally, encourage him to fall asleep on his own at nights so you’re both better rested. Excerpted from Working Mom Survival Guide; a Working Mother Magazine book, ©Weldon Owen Inc. There's a difference, though, between normal wistfulness and full-on … Assuming you’ve already got childcare squared away and started pumping, here are some less obvious details to consider for your back-to-work checklist.The list is a mix of things that worked well for me when returning to work after maternity leave AND things I wish I’d done the first go-round.. 1. The first week back at work can be hugely overwhelming and stressful. How is your relationship with this person (or people)? When moms are unhappy about their first day back after maternity leave, most of that unhappiness can be traced to what they’re going back to: An unappealing work environment. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. Being tired just makes everything seem worse. After all of this planning and transition, you deserve a treat. That’s okay: All big transitions take some adjustment. If you find yourself wishing you were back with your baby instead of at work, take a look at these insights that will cheer you up. Whatever it is, you deserve it, and it will help refresh you for the second week back at work. Make decisions based on what you think is best for your baby and yourself. At this point, you may be feeling more comfortable with balancing your new schedule and — though it might sound crazy — even confident that you can handle being a working mom! 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