New mothers: How to transition back to working life

Four months of maternity leave can feel like a long time. Now that the rest time is completed, you are preparing to go back to work.

We understand that as a new mother and a working professional, you are going to be juggling more work coming back, and some women might start to feel anxiety or worry.

Some situations that you may encounter - the need to look for a place to pump milk, get up to date on the latest happenings in the company, reconnect with your colleagues, or discover new job roles you may not be ready for and more.

All these events will happen in one way or another, but now that we have identified them, let's find ways to make it better.

Choose your return date properly

A way to prepare yourself is to choose a good return date. Find out if your immediate colleagues are around so that they can mentor and fill you in on the latest happenings.

Picking to return on the later part of the week is better as it tends to be less busy.

If your boss is hoping you can come back in time to help out at an event, find out the date as early as possible, so you have ample time to be brief on the project and know your role properly.

If possible, ask to be assigned to a simpler role, or buddy up with someone so you won't feel too lost.

Finding support

Don't feel shy to reach out for help. Sometimes, learning from other people's experiences is a great way to do better.

Reach out to other moms in the office and ask them to share tips on how they pumped milk, best childcare centres near the office, or how they organised their day to manage family and work.

By equipping yourself with this knowledge, it can help you to manage your expectations and plan your work week accordingly.

Utilise flexible work options

Many offices offer flexible work hours, so be sure to find out more from HR and check with your boss if he/she can let you exercise this option.

By working from home, you can cut down on travelling time and get more rest as your body is still recovering from pregnancy.

You can also have more physical time with your baby and even lessen the cost of engaging a nanny.

Redesign your job scope

Being aware of your limitations and redesigning your job scope is a way for you to cope with returning to work.

If you wish, you can consult with your boss to lessen your workload after you return so you can have a better transition back to working life.

After you are all settled in and ready for more responsibilities, you can have a meeting again to take on your full workload and more.

On top of these tips, getting enough rest, eating well, and exercising are also some ways you can manage your stress or anxiety on returning to work.

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