Going Back To Work After 6 Months Maternity Leave – Feeling depressed about going back to work after maternity leave? Here’s your pep talk and action plan to get you through these tough days.
I survived the newborn stage and finally got the hang of this parenting thing after months of adjusting to motherhood.
Going Back To Work After 6 Months Maternity Leave
Just when my baby fell into a manageable routine and life became easier and more fun, maternity leave ended. Now I had to hand him over to someone else to care for while I rejoined the workforce.
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That was hours and hours away from him, missing the time spent sprawled on a blanket at the park or walking around the neighborhood. While I welcomed time alone, I wasn’t exactly excited about work either.
It’s easy to feel depressed about going back to work after maternity leave. You don’t want to leave the baby with strangers, worried that he might be scared in his new environment. You dread the stress of dropping him off at daycare and making it to work on time.
And while you know you are making a better life for him by working, all these emotions are still hard.
It’s even worse when you’re miserable at work. You feel like you’ve finally found your purpose staying home with the baby, but circumstances (and bills) mean you can’t. You even find yourself crying out of guilt and anguish, as if you are handing him over to someone else to raise.
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With your baby so used to being with you all day, you can’t imagine what a big change it can be for you both to go back to work.
Chin up, mom. i hear you Feeling depressed about going back to work after maternity leave is all too common. The adjustment may be rough for everyone, but fortunately, not permanent.
If you wish you were back with your baby instead of at work, check out these insights that can cheer you up. You can find gentle reminders to keep you going, as well as encouragement to face the hard truth about your circumstances:
Like many working moms, you will likely return to work when your baby is still a baby. It’s one thing to re-enter the working world when he’s a few years older. But you are dealing with the emotional and physical challenges of raising a baby and working.
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For example, change your routine a few weeks before starting work, mimicking the schedule he will follow going forward. Introduce him to the bottle around that time as well, if you haven’t already. If possible, try with your child’s carer or nursery before the first “official” day.
And finally, encourage him to fall asleep on his own at night, so you’re both better rested. If you struggle to get your baby to sleep, you can teach him to self-soothe and sleep on his own!
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The best way to cope? Prepare, prepare, prepare, especially the night before. This is even more important the first few weeks when you return to work. Not only are you sleep-deprived and tired, but you’re also a little rusty about your commute to work routine.
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When I got back to work, I packed my lunch, picked out my clothes, and made sure I didn’t forget my pump parts—the whole night before. Thus, come morning time, I didn’t have to think about them at all.
Let’s say you came home from your first day of work miserable. You wish you had been with your baby instead, and dread doing it again the next day, and the next.
But you remember when you first got your job? You had no idea what some of the terms your co-workers were talking about, or even where the restrooms were.
Or how about when you moved into your home? Remember how annoying it was to not have internet access yet, or figure out where to put your kitchen equipment?
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Every new change is a transition. We of all people should know this after having a baby. And how crazy of an adjustment
Been, the first few days back to work can also have their own set of challenges. You settle in, find out what has changed, and get used to your new routine.
As with any adjustment, it can be difficult… until you get your groove back and work becomes second nature again.
Do you get jealous whenever you see moms taking their kids to the library while you run to grab your lunch between meetings? Do you wish you could come and go as you please, instead of clocking in at 8 in the morning like the boss wants?
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Also with envy. Wishing they could take a break from the kids or reminisce about getting dressed and talking to adults. Wanting to make money and contribution to something other than children.
Part of the unhappiness with going back to work could stem from assuming that everything is rosy on the other side. It is not. Every situation has its pros and cons, and returning to work is no different. Although you may only see the disadvantages now, remind yourself that you have many advantages that other moms would envy.
One of the best ways to stop feeling depressed about going back to work after maternity leave is to remind yourself of its many benefits.
The most obvious is making money, which frees you from the stressful situation of not having much of it. You also get a break from the baby, which, let’s face it, is important for self-care. And you have a challenging and meaningful job that contributes to the world in addition to being a mom.
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Let’s not forget that you can hang out with other people and have real grown-up conversations and that work is (usually) easier than raising kids. You don’t have to worry about re-entering the workforce, and you’re more likely to share equal parenting duties at home with your partner.
Feeling unhappy about returning to work could be traced to what new moms return to: a job we don’t enjoy.
Long before your baby was even born, how happy were you at work? If you were miserable with your job to begin with, leaving the baby might be less bearable compared to returning to a job you enjoy.
The job itself may be the biggest reason you are depressed about the end of your maternity leave. If so, it may be time to find or even create a work environment that suits you. Ask yourself these questions:
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The point is that those first days and weeks at work are difficult, because you have tasted a different life, and maybe a job just isn’t right for you. You were on maternity leave, enjoying the time spent with your baby, only to return to an unhealthy work environment.
You need to be comfortable with your childcare situation. It’s hard to focus on work when you feel like your babysitter, daycare center, or your mother-in-law isn’t doing a good job.
Choose your childcare carefully. How is your relationship with this person (or people)? Are they listening? Do you trust their abilities? Can you be open and honest without feeling like you’ve offended them?
When you feel confident with your caregiver, handing the baby off for several hours and going into work won’t feel too terrifying. And sometimes it might even be a much-needed break.
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“I learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Kids don’t keep tabs. They won’t love you any less because you’re home at six instead of three. Instead, they will remember how you made them
Not that you cut their sandwich into a dinosaur shape, but that you did little things to make them happy. And not that you can’t always volunteer on field trips, but that you showered them with love from the time you got home until they fell asleep.
Transitioning to work after maternity leave can be difficult for new mothers, but not when you come prepared mentally and physically.
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Start with practical changes like helping your baby adjust to your new work schedule and preparing the nights before. Remember that everything is an adjustment and that the grass is always greener, not to mention the many benefits of being a working mom.
Make sure you have a positive work environment to return to, as well as reliable and trustworthy childcare you can rely on. And finally, don’t forget that your baby will remember
Be a positive change in your life. And more than just finally fitting into your old clothes or getting the hang of this parenting thing.
Disclaimer: Sleeping Should Be Easy and its content is for informational purposes only and should never be used as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. Disclosure: In accordance with FTC guidelines, this site may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.The
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