Returning to work after having a baby certainly isn’t easy! Read some working moms’ top tips to finding balance and keeping your family happy.
Returning to work after maternity leave can be extremely hard. The combination of worrying about how your little one will manage without you, and wondering if you’ll slot back into working life can rob you of the little sleep you’re getting.
But now’s the time to connect with other working parents! You only have to talk to a few to find out you’re not the only one struggling with this, and you’ll find your rhythm in the end. Here are two mothers’ top tips to balancing everything:
From Shela, an office-based mom:
- Separate the two
When you’re at work, focus on work, being productive and enjoying your grown-up time. And when you’re with your baby, be 100% there, enjoying the quality time and being a mum.
- Shop online
Grocery shopping on your way home is painful when all you want to do is rush back to your little one. Logging on in the evening and paying the delivery fee is well worth the extra time at home and lower blood-pressure!
- Arrive home with nothing urgent to do
Make that last call before you walk in the door so that for the first half an hour at least, you can sit on the floor and do nothing else but reconnect with your child.
From Laura, a freelancing mom:
- Rent some office space as close to home as possible
If you’re a freelancer and are lucky enough to have a full-time nanny or babysitting for regular periods, this is the answer. Being physically present in front of your children, yet unavailable because you’re locked onto your screen or on a call, is not ideal for you or your kiddies. Your kids will be quite happy with you in an office out of sight, but if you’re visible trying to work at home, chances are you’ll all end up frustrated.
- Prioritise sleep
If you’ve had enough sleep, then work when your baby is sleeping. If you haven’t, then sleep! A short nap will mean you can hopefully work later when your baby sleeps again.
- Be realistic
If you have a super sleeper, then sure – take on that extra project. But if your little one is unpredictable when it comes to napping, then don’t put that pressure on yourself. Soon enough your baby will be spending the mornings away from you at creche, and you can step things up again.
- Don’t do admin in your quiet working hours
Admin is way easier to do when distracted, so if you have to do something with the kids around, make sure it’s admin rather than work!
And just for a bit of balance, from Mike, a freelancing dad:
- Schedule a weekly activity
Blocking out a recurring time in your calendar for something like a swimming class, ensures you’ll have some dedicated and fun together time.
Things won’t always be perfect but make sure that you’re kind to yourself as you approach this new life stage. Give yourself room for error and adaption, ignore any outside judgement and focus on finding out what works for your family.
