10 Tips For Going Back To Work After Baby
Many working mothers find it difficult adjusting to work after they return from maternity leave. It is quite hard leaving your newborn at home just after a few weeks and concentrating on getting work done. These are some of the challenges these mothers face on top of separation anxiety and how they’re gonna feed their newborn. Unfortunately, that’s the reality in many countries around the world, especially the US.
The Short Paid Family Leave Challenges
The maternity and paternity leave in the United States is amongst some of the worst regulated things. Mothers are guaranteed only 6 weeks of paid leave after they give birth. As if the challenges weren't enough, the lack of paternity leave for fathers complicates things even more.
Young mothers are left with a choice. Find work and life balance or leave their job. But most women nowadays sill want a successful career and a family. And choosing one or the other shouldn’t even be a problem they face.
The goal is to create a life that satisfies you, your career and family. In today’s world, there are many ways working mothers and parents can manage their careers and care for their babies at the same time. Here are some tips that will help your transition from having a baby to getting back to work.Take Time To Rest
One of the most important things to keep in mind when you become a mother is to still care for your basic needs. The majority of mothers suffer from sleep deprivation and that translates to a bad quality of life and low work performance. So the lack of rest harms not only your health but also your life in many other dimensions.
Look For Work Flexibility
Some of the times the problem with managing everything is the possibility of working from home a few times a week or having a part-time job. This, of course, does not apply to doctors and other professions where you need to be at work all of the time.
Get Other People To Bottle Feed Your Baby
Like it or not, if you’re working, you will need to bottle feed your baby. Some mothers might pump their breast milk and others choose formula. Regardless, someone else will need to be able to feed your baby. Before you go back to work, try to teach your baby to take the bottle by having other people feed them. This will make your life and whoever will take care of your baby lives easier.
Develop A Support System
Having a good group of friends and family, that are there for you when you need them is one of the best things you can do. They will be the people you will turn to if you ever need something. Becoming a parent will also bring new people into your group, parents alike, with the same problems and challenges. Sometimes, only by talking to someone that understands, will make your struggles easier to face.
Don’t Feel Guilty
Many mothers have the problem of feeling guilty when they return back to work. This is an occurrence amongst 90% of mothers. But returning to work doesn’t make you a bad mother. In today’s economy, it is very hard to support a family with only one parent working. Also, wanting to have a career doesn’t mean you don’t care about your kids. On the contrary, you will set a good example of hard work and dedication.
Bio
Benjamin Kolenović, Mother Works
Benjamin Kolenović is a writer for mother-works.com. MotherWorks is a job portal designed to bring together stay at home moms and recruiters. The platform also brings helpful articles in the Blog section regarding mothers who want to return to the workforce.
