Well, the first two weeks back in the office have just whizzed by. I’ve enjoyed it – I feel like me again. This is my return to work after maternity leave journey .And when my working day begins to drag, I know I have two smiling faces and lots of cuddles to look forward to in the evening. I found all of the tips that Babyhuddle members had given me to be really useful – some I had already planned to do (no really… I had!) and others I’ve taken on board over the past two weeks.
My Return to work after Maternity leave
I have gone back to work for 4 days a week which leaves me and my girls with one day all to ourselves. We go swimming in the mornings and then off to meet other friends with babies in the afternoon. Saying that, my very first afternoon off was spent with baby Holly waiting at the garage for a new set of tyres. Perhaps not the most thrilling of adventures but now I know how entertaining it is to watch a baby in tights try and crawl on the shiny floor of a car show room!
Mealtimes with the family have been the one thing that has remained constant since I returned to work – we all sit up at the table (Holly in her highchair) and eat together in the evenings, even though I know that Holly probably doesn’t need a lot to eat. At nursery Holly eats three meals a day and still drinks two large bottles of milk so the evening meal is more about the social experience than a need for her to eat!
I haven’t found it too hard to prepare and cook our evening meals despite the rush before bedtime but, as Katie alluded to in her tip for me, I would appreciate a bit more help with meal planning and preparation from my other half because I do feel like all of my evenings are spent in the kitchen and I’m missing out on some time with the girls.
Helen advised me to separate my work time from my family time; I think this has worked pretty well so far. My husband and I haven’t even really talked about work in the evening – I’ve been able to leave my work brain behind at my desk. My plans for a bit of me-time have been a bit scuppered by illness which wiped out my weekend but I have at least found time for a few long, luxurious baths.
My first weekend as a working mum of two featured a 4th birthday party and a trip to the playground but unfortunately both myself and my husband caught a nasty virus which meant we couldn’t get upto anything more exciting. Next weekend we have plans to explore a local nature reserve with the girls – it’s nice to have something to look forward to.
Finally, inspired by Babyhuddle, I’ve just signed up to a 10 year savings plan, putting away a tiny amount every month so that 10 years from now when I have a teenager and a tween we will have built up a savings pot that we can spend on something special.
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve made it through maternity leave and are ready to return to the workforce! Congratulations! This is an incredibly important milestone in a woman’s life and one that should be celebrated. However, before you jump back into the fray, there are a few things you should know about returning to work. By following the advice in this blog, you’ll be able to smoothly transition back into your old routine, without any hitches. This is my return to work after maternity leave journey.Do you have any questions about returning to work after maternity leave? Leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to help!
