How to Return to Work After Taking Maternity Leave

Returning to work after parental leave is sometimes not an easy challenge. You haven't been to the office for quite some time, then come back as a different person with new priorities and worries.

This is very annoying and often overwhelming. Daisy Wademan Dowling, founder and CEO of Workparent, a consulting firm for working parents and employers says that everything is changing. Practical daily schedules, new responsibilities as a parent, and even your identity in relation to how you see yourself throughout life also change.

You may even feel guilty about your decision to return to work. Getting back into work is a challenge and no path is perfect. To be able to live it well, know that there are many ways to do it.

How to Return to Work After Maternity Leave

In order to return to work better, several adjustments are needed from yourself and the environment around you. This is not only needed for you, but also for your newborn baby. To be able to make smooth changes at work, here are several things you can do.

1. Recognize personal changes slowly

Try not to get emotionally affected in the first two to three weeks of your return to work. When you become a parent, your life changes drastically with feelings of exhaustion, frustration, and self-doubt. You may be conflicted about returning to work or staying home.

However, these can be emotional matters for a while and it could be too early to decide. You don't need to ignore your feelings, but remember that like the stages of a newborn child, this too will pass.

2. Consider your schedule

Making the transition back to work can be planned through many aspects. For example, you could consider working gradually for a few days a week or continuing to work full-time right from the start. If you have these options, it's best to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

When deciding when to return to the office, choose the end of the work week. Coming back on a Monday can be an tiring transition after a sabbatical. For example, when you choose Thursday or Friday, there is an opportunity to reacquaint yourself before the weekend. At that time, you can recover and overcome any problems you have with scheduling or parenting.

3. Be open to your superiors

At some point, you need to have an honest and open conversation with your boss about your new job-related circumstances. Admit that you need time when your emotions may be overwhelming, but also explain your commitment to continuing to contribute optimally to the company.

A few weeks before returning to work, it can be helpful to check in with your boss to learn about what's new in the office. You can start to make a transition plan and establish plans for roles and responsibilities that have changed while you are on leave.

Apart from that, you can also ask about the possibility of slowly returning to your previous workload. This is important to communicate, especially in the first weeks of adjusting to new responsibilities as a parent.

4. Set expectations with coworkers

Be careful about how you manage relationships with coworkers as you enter your new work life. Many parents return from leave with the mindset that they will adapt.

It would be better if you already have a clear picture of your schedule and plans so that you don't make other people assume. Communicate about how and when you work so that your schedule is predictable to other coworkers.

Things may change over time, but training your coworkers on what to expect will also allow them to learn to adapt to your needs.

5. Choose how to raise children

You need to decide on a parenting style for your children before returning to work. Take time to determine whether you will ask for help from a family member, daycare, or find a nanny.

In addition to thinking about your primary form of parenting, it's important to take time to develop a backup plan. It's likely to happen if your child falls ill on the same day as a presentation, deadline, or important meeting. This needs to be prepared to ensure everything runs smoothly.

As you head back to work after maternity leave, try out some new morning routines. This allows you to start your day and figure out any possible problems. That way, you can create strategies to overcome them without the added stress of having to get to work on time.

There are many things that may happen after maternity leave, especially regarding the future of your career. Make sure you can set goals by making decisions without haste. The most important thing is to get support from your partner and the environment around you to continue achieving your goals together.