Parental leave can be a great time to bond with your new baby and get used to the new addition to your family.
But eventually, you’ll have to go back to work. Here are some tips for returning to work after parental leave and making the transition back as smooth as possible.
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Be kind towards yourself
This is the first and most important thing to do when you return to work after a parental leave.
You’re going to be juggling a lot of new responsibilities, and it’s important to cut yourself some slack.
If things don’t go perfectly at first, that’s okay. Just take a deep breath and remember that you’re doing the best you can.
Create a support network
One of the best ways to ease back into work is to create a supportive network for yourself.
Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers about your concerns and ask for their help.
Whether you are needing support as a new mom or you have experienced this before – if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
In addition, make sure to find a reliable childcare option, which will act as the foundation of your support network.
When looking for a good childcare center, consider things like location, cost, and availability.
Many companies have on-site childcare for employees, and if your workplace has one, it might be a good idea to look into it.
If not, make sure you find a center that’s either close to your home or office, so dropping and picking up your child does not become an added hassle for you.
It’s also helpful to look for a center that’s approved for a child care subsidy, which can significantly reduce childcare cost for you.
Gowrie NSW provides more information about how this can work.
Talk to your boss
Before returning to work, it’s a good idea to have a discussion with your boss about your expectations and concerns.
This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no surprises once you’re back in the office.
Additionally, this conversation will give you an opportunity to negotiate things like a flexible work schedule or the ability to work from home occasionally, which can be helpful when you’re trying to balance work and parenting responsibilities.
Make a plan
Once you’ve talked to your boss and figured out what your working arrangement will be, it’s time to make a plan.
If possible, start slowly by working part-time or fewer days per week.
This will help you ease back into the work routine and give you more time to adjust to your new role as a parent.
If returning to work part-time isn’t an option, see if you can negotiate a compressed workweek so that you have longer days but fewer days in the office.
This can give you more time to spend with your family while still getting all of your work done.
Set some boundaries
It’s important to set some boundaries between work and home life, especially if you’re working from home.
Otherwise, it can be easy to get caught up in work and neglect your family.
If possible, try to set up a dedicated workspace in your home that’s just for work.
This will help you separate your work life from your home life and make it easier to focus on one thing at a time.
In addition, try to establish some ground rules with your family about when you’re available to talk or help out.
Let them know that you’re happy to answer their questions or lend a hand when you’re free, but that they shouldn’t interrupt you while you’re working.
The same goes for your colleagues.
Schedule some “me” time
It’s important to make time for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes each day.
This will help you relax and recharge, so you can be a better parent and employee.
If possible, schedule some regular “me” time into your week.
This can be anything from going for a walk or taking a yoga class to reading a book or taking a bubble bath.
Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that you enjoy and that helps you relax.
Create a feeding plan for your baby
If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to have a plan for how you’ll continue doing so after you return to work.
This might involve pumping breast milk during the day or bringing your baby to work with you.
Keep in mind that breastfeeding requires a continuous stimulus to maintain production, so you’ll need to be diligent about pumping if you’re not nursing your baby directly.
If you’re formula feeding, make sure you have enough formula and bottles on hand so that you can easily feed your baby when you’re away from home.
Divide responsibilities with your partner
Sometimes, people forget that their partner has an equal responsibility of raising their child.
If both of you are working, it’s important to divide up the parenting responsibilities so that neither of you feels overwhelmed.
Talk to your partner about your expectations and come up with a plan for how you’ll both share the load.
For example, this might involve taking turns picking and dropping the baby to their childcare center, or deciding how to approach teaching your child.
It’s also important to be flexible and willing to adjust your plans as needed.
Things will inevitably come up, so it’s important to be able to roll with the punches.
Finally, remember that it’s not a competition or an eye-for-an-eye sort of thing.
If one person is doing more than the other, don’t keep track or try to even the scales. Just do what you can and be grateful for the help.
Final Words
Returning to work after having a baby can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
By following these tips, you can make the transition a little bit easier.
Just take things one day at a time and remember that you’re not alone.
There are plenty of other working moms and dads out there who are in the same boat as you.
Do you have any tips for returning to work after parental leave? Share them in the comments below!
