Flipping the Switch: 3 Powerful Ways to Transition to Work after Maternity Leave
Photo by Creation Hill: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-lifting-her-baby-1261909/
Within 5 minutes of walking to my desk, I was sobbing. It was 7:00 AM when I returned to work from maternity leave. I woke up early and excitedly dressed for the day. I had officially changed from my trusted at-home uniform – lounge pants and hoodie into my newly purchased back-to-work outfit with high heels.
With my hair freshly washed and styled, I fearlessly strutted down the hallway to my desk, ready to tackle the day. I carried my new laptop bag packed with fancy stationery as if I were modeling a new handbag and walking the catwalk. I was unstoppable. Until I was stopped dead in my tracks from shock when I saw my cubicle.
I expected it to look organized and empty. Instead, it was full of shiny pink balloons, fun pictures of my daughter, and welcome signs. The reality of returning to work hit me like a ton of wet baby diapers. I slumped into my chair and cried. And if I'm honest with myself, it was an ugly cry. I ugly cried before "ugly crying" was officially a thing. There were happy tears because I was so touched by this lovely gesture by my work family. I was also so sad that I wasn't home with my baby and that I would miss out and never get the time back.
The good news was that at 7:00 AM, I beat most of the crowd to work. No one caught me in the act. Deep breaths. I had my moment, pulled myself together, and unpacked my new do-dads. I saw friends, showed off pictures, and reacclimated with my surroundings. I forged on and officially made it through my first day.
I have two kids and experienced two rounds of returning to work. My first go-round was 14 years ago when I had my daughter. And then again with my son 12 years ago. The second time, I didn't cry in my cubicle or choke back tears throughout the day. I knew the routine and felt less guilty. Even though this was over a decade ago, I still remember each day like yesterday. As crazy as it sounds, work is my safe place where I feel a sense of calm and organization amidst the chaos of managing the schedules of a teen and 'tween.
Now it's your turn! The time has arrived - you are officially thinking about your first day back to work after staying home with your sweet new baby. Are you secretly sobbing at the thought of leaving your baby? Is there a new pep in your step as you excitedly await some time away from the baby routine?
Regardless of where you are in the emotional whirlwind, you are not alone. Welcome to the community of amazing women who work together to build the future of working moms. You will soon have your story to tell!
Today, you will learn three pieces of advice for returning to work to manage the complex emotions that arise: mental and physical preparation, first-day survival tactics, and how to flip the switch.
Prepare, practice, and get pumped about returning to work
Photo by Godisable Jacob: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-carrying-tote-bag-1996009/
Find your tribe and talk openly about it to work through your emotions with friends and other moms at work. Seek other mom's advice and stories to help you envision your successful return.
Practice time apart from your baby. Rebecca Knight of HBR recommends a dry run of your new routine. Dress for work, grab the diaper bag and drop the baby off with a babysitter as if it is your first day back. She also recommends a test of the pumping session if you plan to continue nursing.
Treat yourself to a new outfit, stationary, or tote bag. Retail therapy can give you something new to look forward to, especially if you've been hanging out in your yoga pants for weeks.
2. Ease into work with these first-day survival tactics
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cheerful-colleagues-working-on-laptop-in-cafeteria-4350059/
You made it out the door, which is step one. Now maximize your day. Enjoy your coworkers and share updates and photos of your new addition. Spend time catching up with your work family whom you haven't seen in weeks. Their stories of what happened when you were out can help make you feel at home again.
Declutter your mind and space by applying 5S organization principles to spruce things up and discard outdated files. Create an organized space to look forward to working in every day.
Make phone calls and schedule time for your manager and coworkers to bring you up to speed. Simplify your inbox and create a clean slate by filing emails in a new email folder marked "maternity leave" to reference if needed. Personally connect with others for the most up-to-date information. Ease back into the tasks and projects, allowing yourself time to understand what happened while you were away.
Take this opportunity to share your excitement and show off cute baby photos.
3. Successfully transition between work and home
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-top-carrying-baby-3875220/
Develop a plan for transitioning from the work day to home life – enjoy your ride home, listen to music, a podcast, or meditation. Check out these 5 tips for leaving work at work. Relax in the car for an extra few minutes to let go of the day before entering your home. If you work from home, clear your head with a meditation, walk outside, or change of scenery to transition between work and home.
As you arrive home, imagine hearing the sound of a rooster crowing at dawn, except the time of day is 5:30 PM. Kick off your shoes and put your yoga pants back on. Your day is just beginning…again. Take off your work hat and put on your mom hat so that you can be present at home with your family.
Create a new routine to spend time with the family. The routine can be simple and flexible, but allows space for play time, a meal, a game, a walk, or a special treat.
Rest assured that while you may feel alone with big feelings for your first day back to work, you have a sisterhood of working mothers with stories to share that will offer much insight and advice as you navigate this new stage of motherhood. It may feel overwhelming, but remember to practice your new routine, envision your perfect first day back, and imagine a new family routine for everyone to look forward to. You've got this!
