If you can’t stop thinking about what it’s going to be like going back to work, you’re definitely not alone! This is a challenging time as you learn how to juggle all the differing demands on your time and body.
Here are a few key pieces of advice that you can use to help figure out how to make it work in your house.
Get organised
A place for everything and everything in its place!
The number one thing that mothers who work outside of the home recommend is putting together an organisational system that works.
That might look different for many different people. One handy piece of advice is to make sure you lay out TWO outfits the night before. Something about ‘going back to work‘ that often gets skipped is that your perfect work outfit may get dirty before you’re able to leave the house. How do the pros play it? Leave getting dressed until the very last second.
Organising your lunch the day ahead, getting petrol the night before and mapping out your morning may mean that you get a smoother and calmer start to the day.
Outsource and expect support
If you’re partnered then it’s the responsibility of BOTH parents to ensure that the household runs smoothly. Just as your life has dramatically changed, so too has your partner’s. To accidentally (but kind of purposefully) quote High School Musical – “We’re all in this together”.
If you’re a single parent then you’ve got a different scenario on your hands. Outsourcing whatever you possibly can may make this transition a less difficult time. Do you have family members or friends who can help in any way? Can you afford to pay for a cleaner to come one night per fortnight? It may be worth your while to become a little inventive to fight the feeling of overwhelm.
Be honest
We’re often presented with the idea of ‘work life balance’ meaning ‘you should be able to handle all of this and not complain’. This is compounded by people who say things like, ‘Welcome to motherhood!’ which isn’t hugely helpful when you’re reaching out.
Be honest about how you’re travelling. If someone offers help, try not to interpret it as them suggesting you’re not handling things – chances are they genuinely would like to help you. Fight the urge to brush it all off and ‘push on through’ if you feel like you need help. If it takes a village to raise a child, see if you can start building yours.
Going back to work after having a baby
With careful planning and an open mind, this is a challenge that you’re set to overcome. Good luck, mama!
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Great post – it’s such a mental hurdle!
It sure is a tricky and busy time when you first begin to contemplate and then actually go back to work after having a baby. I recall it both times but was aided by the fact I knew my babies were going to be cared for in home-like environments and that I was actually wanting to be back teaching as I found being at home was not for me. I too, over time, employed a cleaner and that was a life-saver. I also had my lunches sorted as well as outfits planned. Great post, Kell!
So many great tips!! Preparation the night before is key for me… but I have been going back and forth from having kids and going back to work so many times that it’s just second nature for me now!
So hard to balance work and motherhood especially as a first time mom! If someone offers help….take it or give a suggestion on how they can help (sometimes people want to help but are unsure what you need)