Have you been on maternity leave and have to go back to work soon? No doubt you are full of doubts and fears, but don’t worry, all you have to do is think how many women just like you have been through this and have managed just fine.
We know that going back to work after having a baby can be complicated. It is a time of great uncertainty for many mothers, and the usual thing is to suffer emotional changes. In today’s blog entry, we would like to give you some advice so that going back to work after your maternity leave won’t be so hard.
Back to work: don’t feel guilty
The first thing you should avoid is feeling guilty for not being with your baby in working hours. Many women feel as if they were abandoning their babies, but it is very important to try and convince yourself that they will be fine, and say goodbye with a smile, as babies perceive all our emotions. If we make them feel positive, they will understand that even though we are leaving, we’ll be back.
Focus on work
Concentrating on and paying attention to different tasks will stop you thinking only about your baby and getting obsessed. Also, you will see how time flies and your self-esteem gets a boost when you achieve your targets at work.
Find out about your rights as a mother
Remember that as a mother and in order to reconcile your work and family lives you are entitled to a series of rights such as breastfeeding leave, a reduced working timetable, leave of absence or shared leave. Check with a professional to see the options that best suit your needs. You can also talk to your company and try to get a more flexible timetable.
Back to work: who should I leave my baby with?
This is a very important decision and also one of the most difficult, as in order for you to feel at ease at work you have to decide who is going to look after your baby when you are not there. If you have a partner and you can adapt your timetables, it will be easier; but if not, you will have to analyse the pros and cons of the different options: grandparents, a nursery school, a carer…
But which is the right option? Don’t forget that there is no perfect solution. No particular one of them is better than the others; it all depends on the circumstances of each family. You will have to choose the best one for you by analyzing different factors such as cost, the surroundings, safety, trust and flexibility.
To make your baby’s adaptation process easier, you should gradually leave him longer and longer with the people who are going to look after him when we are not there. Once he gets used to them you will see how happy he is and he’ll welcome you home with a huge smile.
Get organized and share tasks
Going back to work after maternity leave is often even harder because we take on and try to do everything ourselves. Get organized with your partner and share the household tasks out fairly. You can also ask your relations or a trusted friend for help.
How did you cope with going back to work after having a baby? Share your experiences with our other readers.
