Having a new child is rewarding and filled with many moments of joy. For some, it’s the ultimate goal, to have a family to call their own.  Raising children comes with it's fair share of challenges. When you combine the pressures of raising a child with going back to work, it can understandably feel overwhelming. There is no ‘right time’ to go back, but we’ve pulled together a few ideas that will hopefully make the transition back into the workplace and maintaining work/life balance a little easier. 

Parental guilt, especially when returning to work, is entirely normal and natural. You are now having to trust their care to a relative or childcare professional or teachers and this can be incredibly daunting, and even emotional. However being back at work and having adult company can also bring great advantages to you and your family. Finding a routine that works might not happen straight away. It’s alright if everything doesn’t go according to your plans or as smoothly as you had hoped - accept that this is part of your journey as a working parent.  It’s important to try and be flexible, roll with the punches, and keep in mind that everything will work out - it just might not happen in a second. 

You may have taken 3 months away, or 3 years - no matter the time, you’re in a different, wonderful and exciting life space with your family.  When you’re preparing to come back to work, you might want to consider various things: 

Stay in the loop

Try keeping in touch with your employer or colleagues while you’re on maternity/paternity leave. This may help you keep in the loop. 

Consider all available care options

Whether this is a childcare centre or a family member, this will be as much of an adjustment for your child as it is for you, so it might be wise to start placing your child with these other childcare options before you go back to work.  This way  you will have the comfort and security of knowing your child is happy and well looked after before you go back to work. 

If you can, ease back into work life

Start with part time and then gradually build up to full time, or to a schedule with reduced time in the office, and work time at home to allow for more flexibility and work/life balance.  Familiarise yourself with the family leave policies that your workplace may have in place. 

Practise makes perfect

Try doing a practise run of the before and after work commute. This way, when the time comes for the real thing, you’ll feel a bit more comfortable in the new routine. 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of being hard on yourself, expecting to slot right back into work where you left off.  

Remember that everything will work out and fall into place - be patient and kind to yourself. The most important thing to remember is to not be too harsh on yourself, and no matter how meticulous the planning, sometimes things might not go exactly according to plan straight away. 

Juggling working and being a parent can feel a bit like running on a never ending hamster wheel trying to juggle looking after children, cooking, cleaning, life outside of work and responsibilities at work. As hard as it might feel at times, try to make time for yourself.  Schedule in a yoga class as you would schedule in a meeting, or get lost in a good book.

These little things will work wonders for your mental clarity, which will have a hugely positive impact on other areas of your life. Unfortunately, sleep is often the first thing that gets sacrificed when trying to fit 30 hours of a day into 24.  But it’s the most important thing and will be the most beneficial to maintain while trying to manage your juggling act. Working parents are the Superheroes of the working world, so remember to give yourself a pat on the back every now and then. 

You’re Not Alone

Remember a large percentage of men and women in the workforce are parents – they know what you are going through, they’ve probably felt like you are now. It’s good to chat to your colleagues and let them know if you’re struggling, they may have some good advice and it can be a great way to make new friends at work. Joining a parents group at work, or a working parents network on social media can connect you to others who are going through the same things.

Being a working parent can be a very rewarding experience, accept that it can be challenging at times, but also take time to enjoy the many beautiful moments with your baby and your achievements at work. If you need some help to ease the burden, talk to one of Benestar's coaches on the MyCoach page.