I’ve been a full-time working mom for 2 months and the transition has not been easy! You all know while I am open to life as it comes, a good plan keeps me calm. Transitioning back to work panned out similar to our baby boy’s birth…nothing like I planned!
I was hoping to keep our son home with me for a few months beyond my leave. I came back to work with a tiered approach (2 days a week for a month), and this showed me that I wasn’t going to be able to be my best at work and at home. Baby boy required more time and attention than I was able to give and I felt really bad about what he wasn’t getting.
At 4 months we decided that daycare would be the best option for us and boy was that tough for me. I cried for about a week lol but I knew it was the best thing for him. Since day one, we have seen the benefits of daycare, and baby boy is as happy as he’s ever been!
Below are 5 tips that helped make my transition back to work easier. Even the parts I wasn’t prepared for!
1. Be clear on your priorities and communicate them
Priorities change during different seasons in our lives and it’s important that we regularly check in with them. In this season my family is my top priority! I communicated that to my boss so there was no confusion.
2. Set boundaries
This plays off number 1. When baby boy comes home from daycare I log off until he is asleep! I also let her know that my EOD (end of day) won’t always be 5 pm. Some days I may need to log on after bedtime. Flexibility has been key during this transition!
3. Get help (daycare, maid, meal delivery)
I had planned to keep baby boy home for as long as possible but quickly learned that wasn’t possible. Thankfully I requested a gradual return to work schedule so I was able to figure this out before I was back full time!
This didn’t stop at childcare! Even with daycare, being a working mom is a lot. Not to mention I am exclusively breastfeeding so that’s a full-time job in itself. I decided to outsource the cleaning to make time for a little more cooking and playing!
Help can look like a lot of different things. Take inventory of what you are spending your time on see where you can get some help!
4. Be kind to yourself
Being a new mom is a lot of work! No 2 days are the same and we are learning every day! Extend yourself some grace, especially as you return back to work! You will be both mentally and physically exhausted and it will take some time to get the hang of things.
5. Slow down and enjoy these moments
Your baby will only be young once! You will only get one chance to be a new mom! This may not be the best time to push for that promotion and that is okay! This may not be the year you volunteer for multiple groups or projects, and that’s okay too! Get clear on what’s important and ensure that your decision is respected!
In this season, communication is key! Communicate with your partner, employer, and yourself about what you need. You never know what the day will hold so be flexible and kind to yourself as your figure out your new normal! Speak up and make adjustments that allow you to take care of yourself but also enjoy this major transition!
XOXO, Laya
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