Welcoming a baby into the family is miraculous and one of the most joyous occasions one can experience in life. However, a new mom’s transition back into the professional world can be quite challenging. Balancing motherhood and work responsibilities requires systematic planning and a strong support system. There would be several nagging thoughts constantly running through the new mother’s mind about whether she’ll blend into the work scenario or if her baby will be fine without her.
Going deeper into the topic, let’s delve into the preparations, practices, and support for a new mother before venturing into the workplace. Help her step into the workplace with less worry about her kid and more confidence about her work.
Preparing for the Transition
New mothers have to be prepared mentally and physically for the transition back to work from maternity leave. Early and open conversations with employers are crucial and must include discussions on work strategies and flexible working hours that help cater to childcare needs. Meticulous planning for the care of the baby is crucial. Establishing reliable and trustworthy childcare arrangements would give the new mothers a break amidst all the other responsibilities she has to face. Building a strong support system that includes close friends and family can be a huge help in times of dire need.
Tackling Mom Guilt With Grace
As new moms transition back to work after maternity leave, managing separation anxiety and mom guilt is a major challenge. The internal war with prioritising work for the future well-being of the child and not being present for the baby’s current milestones can be overwhelming. To tackle this emotional rollercoaster, the mothers need to recognize that feeling guilty is normal and not indicative of inadequacy.
According to Forbes, many new companies and startups are helping new mothers with flexible policies. Therefore, setting realistic goals, practising self-compassion, and having open conversations with employers and family are crucial for a successful transition to work.
Prioritising Self-Care
Prioritising self-care in the prenatal and postnatal stages is crucial for the well-being of the new mother and the baby. As a new mom returns to work, it becomes easy to neglect this aspect amidst different responsibilities. Prioritise sleep, exercise, and nutritional food to be happy and maintain your mental well-being.
As new moms step into a complex stage of life, asking for help and support should not be avoided. Going to a professional counsellor or even opening up to partners and friends can make way for greater changes in life. Always remember, a healthy and well-rested mother is ready to take on the world and succeed on her parenthood journey.
Celebrating Success
Celebrating success is an important and necessary step to be followed by new moms returning to work. It involves acknowledging achievements, both minor and major, and staying in a positive mindset throughout the journey. Pause for a bit and reflect on the personal and professional growth experienced and challenges overcome in the past few months. This self-reflection accelerates a motivation for future endeavours and upcoming challenges in life.
Connecting with other mothers and sharing experiences can be a monumental way to encourage and empower fellow mothers, and fuel their confidence in life. A study conducted in Spain showed that 72.9% of mothers who took maternity leave, continued their work after a year without fail. The determination and perseverance fuelled by acknowledging minor and major success can go a long way in helping foster confidence and happiness in new mothers.
Maternity Leave Policy
When a new mother steps back into the workspace, it is the responsibility of the employer to make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible. If unfortunately, the pregnancy period isn’t smooth for the employee then provisions can be made to help start her maternity leave early on and she can compensate by joining back early. New mothers often face the issue of separation anxiety from their kids. So the office space should be able to accommodate a daycare facility for the children of the employees. This is eventually a plus for the organisation as the employee could be able to focus on her work completely rather than worrying about her kids’ whereabouts. The bottom line can be to provide as much support as the organisation can to ensure the new mom has a smooth and stress-free transition into work.
Returning to work after giving birth to a baby and being the sole caregiver is one of the most beautiful and daunting tasks you can ever come across. But by having open conversations with employers, building a strong support system, and prioritising self-care, new mothers can go through this transition smoothly. It is important to acknowledge that each mother’s journey is different and unique. Therefore, ask for help and overcome each set of challenges that are thrown your way!
