11 Post-Maternity Work Lessons: Navigating the Return

This month marks two months of being back at work after maternity leave—a transition that is as much about rejoining the workforce as it is about rediscovering my professional identity. 

Here are eleven things that I hope might help other parents navigate the transition back to work:  

1. Be kind to yourself: Balancing career ambitions and being a (new) parent is delicate. Try to calm your inner dialogue and speak to yourself kindly. You’re doing your best! 
2. Communicate honestly: Honest and clear conversations with my team and at home have been crucial to setting realistic expectations for everyone. For me, that meant communicating how I am using our core hours policy, and regular check-ins with our people team have been helpful in thinking about flexible work options should I need to use those in the future.
3. Delegate with trust:  Trusting my team to lead on projects and represent the brand at meetings I can’t attend has been essential in managing my workload, particularly with a phased return to work. It allowed me to deliver on immediate projects and has nurtured a culture of collaboration within the team. 
4. Find the daily joys in your new routine: Things like reframing my commute from a chore to a precious opportunity to listen to a podcast or read a book start my day in a positive way. Nursery drop-off means I get to walk through the park - I try to pocket the happiness!
5. Invest in self-care: I wasn’t feeling as confident post-baby, but investing in small touches like getting my nails done and a new button-down shirt that makes me feel good and pulled together has been so important for building confidence for returning to the office.
6. Don’t make rash decisions pre-return: Returning to work after 7 months of mat leave prompted introspection on everything in my life, which is a great thing to do, but don't make choices motivated by a fear of the unknown. I wish I could have told myself that everything would be okay and it’s not as bad as you're imagining plus everything can be changed if it doesn't feel right after you try it!
7. Time management: Mornings can be especially hectic, so practical prep, including making lunch and choosing my outfit the night before (I have photos on my phone of outfit combinations), helps me get out of the door mostly fuss free! 
8. Don’t give up your hobbies because you’re busy: It’s tempting to cancel plans, classes, or non-essentials when it takes even more time from your family, but I believe that having energising hobbies is so important to retain who you are as a person outside of work and family.  I really value my book club and yoga classes, they give me space to connect with myself, which allows me to be a good Mum. 
9. Set boundaries: Learning to switch off and be fully present has been the most important learning - I discovered early on that trying to do two things at once, like being on Slack while trying to play with the baby, doesn’t feel good or effective even if it is possible. I do the same when I'm working and try to be present instead of distracted.
10. Find your people at work: I've been so lucky that everyone at Papier has been so wonderful, but especially my fellow working parents who have been so supportive and kind about checking in—they get it, and it’s really opened up new friendships for me in the office - don't be afraid to reach out!
11. Celebrate ALL the Milestones: Finally, I’m learning to celebrate achievements, both big and small, for everyone in the family. Today, we’re celebrating our baby’s first word (typically, it was Dada; cue the guilt that I should have stayed home with him longer) and my husband's last week of paternity leave.  

It can be hard, embrace the good days, you'll get through the tougher ones and only you can do what's right for your family and your career - you'll find your balance.