mommy maverick

Returning to work after maternity leave is a challenging season in the journey of motherhood. I’ve written before about the “Triple M Identity Dilemma” – mommy, maverick, and me. During maternity leave, you embrace the mommy role with a hint of “me” sprinkled in. However, when it comes time to return to work, the maverick identity takes the stage, causing an upheaval in the identity balance. For most working mothers, especially first-timers, finding ‘identity harmony’ is hard. Your mental load increases as work tasks and deadlines overlap with your responsibilities at home. Mom-guilt begins to surface as you struggle with the notion of spending time away from your child to pursue your career.

Today I’m excited to share with you some invaluable tips that will not only facilitate a smooth transition to work but also help you maintain balance through this phase of motherhood and career. These are the tips I wish I had after having my first child and jumping back into the work scene.

• Get (and stay) organized: invest in tools like calendars, planners, or smartphone apps to keep track of appointments, family schedules, and work tasks. Share calendars with your spouse, caregivers, and colleagues to make sure everyone is on the same page.
• Meal prep: a few weeks before your return to work, cook meals in double quantity and freeze the extra. Layout a monthly meal schedule. Utilize digital tools to streamline online grocery shopping or meal delivery services.
• Arrange childcare: placing your child under someone else’s care is a tough pill to swallow. Give yourself adequate time to find the right childcare provider for you and your family. Have a backup plan in case of emergencies or when your child is sick.
• Plan your morning routine: streamline and practice your morning routine to save time and minimize stress. Prepare essentials the night before.
• Practice self-care: lay the foundation for self-care habits before your return to work. Set realistic and achievable self-care goals, like 5 minutes of meditation per day, 15 minutes of stretching, etc.
• Schedule spouse time: schedule date nights with your spouse in advance. It’s easy to feel disconnected from your spouse when you return to work and it’s important you make time to nurture your relationship.
• Divvy up the household duties: split the load. Engage with your spouse or partner to agree on how household duties will be handled. This will reduce the likelihood of arguments. Better yet, invest in a cleaning service if you can swing it.  
• Update your wardrobe: invest in professional yet comfortable work attire. This will help boost your confidence and make mornings smoother.
• Practice pumping and feeding: if you’re breastfeeding, practice pumping and feeding routines to ease the transition back to work. Contact your employer to make arrangement for lactation breaks in advance of your return.
• Set boundaries: priorities shift once you have a child. For many working moms, those late nights at work will become a thing of the past. Learn to say no. Don’t overextend or overcommit yourself. Establish clear boundaries between work and home life. Avoid bringing work stress home and vice versa.
• Seek flexibility: if possible, negotiate for flexible work arrangements on a temporary or permanent basis, such as remote work or adjusted hours. Many companies are open to this.
• Give yourself time to get acclimated: it’s normal to want to dive back into work, but it’s important to take things slow. Ease back into things to reduce the likelihood of becoming overwhelmed. Your colleagues will either understand or get over it.

Returning to work after maternity leave is a significant milestone, one that marks the intersection of your professional and maternal identities. Preparing physically, mentally, and emotionally is an important step. By taking the time to prepare, you equip yourself with the tools and resilience necessary to navigate this transition. It’s about striking a balance between nurturing your career and your family, and recognizing that you can excel in both areas. As working moms, we have the capacity to not only return to work but to thrive. So, take a deep breath, embrace the journey, and know that you’re more than capable of conquering this new chapter in your life.

Your Coach,

Kristyn