#minimeltdowns
For most of us it’s a necessary evil or sometimes a welcome escape, and usually somewhere in between. You don’t need it be one or the other, whatever it is, don’t feel guilty.
I can guarantee two things:
1. It’ll be hard leaving them;
2. It won’t be that easy readjusting to work life.
That said, I can also guarantee two more things:
1. They’ll love their childcare once they’ve got use to it;
2. Being a working mum does get easier.
I returned to work a little while ago and, to be honest, it was hard to start with but now I’m really enjoying it. It was probably harder for me as I was off all of my pregnancy as well. The good news is that I can give you some helpful and practical tips to ease you back into the workplace until it all starts to feel that little bit more manageable.
Top tips for your return to work:
- Organise a return to work meeting with your manager (and HR/Occupational Health) where you clear up any outstanding admin (IT access, pay etc.) and outline the transition from your maternity cover back to you (don’t be afraid to ask for a gentle transition as you have been away for a decent period of time).
- Get a workstation assessment if you work in an office or ensure that working conditions are appropriate for you post-baby. I had some damage to my back whilst pregnant and didn’t request a workstation assessment immediately after getting back. Sitting incorrectly and lugging around an ancient laptop meant that my back got quite bad, quite quickly. I went to Occupational Health and they arranged an assessment. I am now the proud owner of a lighter laptop, ergonomic laptop rucksack and I have a special chair, just for me at the office.
- Do some pre return to work cooking and freezing (or fill your freezer with meals from www.cook.com), order online for the first four weeks, keep your weekends and evenings as free as possible. You’ll need the extra breathing space. My husband and I follow a somewhat boring but easy to manage eating plan, Mondays is salmon, Tuesdays chicken and so on. It means you don’t have to think about it.
- Ask your manager for some working from home flexibility. If this is available to you, it’s so much easier on the drop off/pick up duty, even if it’s only from time to time.
- Work out a backup plan for illness/settling in problems. It’s pretty common for your little one to catch a virus or something when they are first exposed to nursery germs (it’ll happen afterwards as well, but it’s common for you to get THAT phone call as soon as you’ve settled down at your desk asking you to collect them and take them to the doctor).
- Ensure your other half is doing their fair share. We bought a little white board and drew a weekly planner. We worked out who was doing drop off/pick up each day so that it was equally shared, we worked out what we were eating each night and we even tried to plan some ME time for both of us (whether it be exercise or meeting friends).
- Be super-aware of your emotional wellbeing. All change can be challenging and this is a huge change. Be vigilant of becoming low or anxious. Maybe book an appointment with your doctor or counsellor in advance, you may not need the appointment but it could be reassuring having something in the diary.
Best of luck, I’m sure you’ll all ROCK being a working mum (it can’t be as hard as childbirth right?!?)
Previous #minimeltdowns blogs….
Minimeltdowns – D and V and all things nice
Minimeltdowns – Guilt, guilt, guilt!
Minimeltdowns – Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Pre and Post Baby: A Closer Look
Minimeltdowns – Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Pre and Post Baby: An Introduction
