So youre a new mum ready to get back to work. How can you possibly go back to a full-time job and incorporate the proper care for your little one? Dont worry! Weve prepared a few tips to help you manage your new work-life balance.
1. Practice Your New Daily Routine Sure, you were at your job for a while before your pregnancy and have everything down to a science: where to park, how long the commute will be, fastest places for lunch etc. Treat your new role as a mum the same way you would a new job: test out your morning ritual, time the commute, and try to leave some extra time for any surprises. Test out how long it will take for you and your baby to get up and ready to go, if you take your child to day care or to a family members home, factor in that commute time as well. Sticking to a routine will not only help you feel more prepared, but will help your baby feel more comfortable as well. Now that you know what to expect, this will help you feel relaxed and at ease when its time for you to officially return to work.
2. Consider Requesting a Flexible Work Schedule With remote work on the rise, its not uncommon for companies to offer more flexible in-office hours or work-from-home days to their employees. As a new mum, its important to keep your employer informed on what your plans and needs may be while you transition back to work. Asking your employer about developing a more flexible work schedule may be the best way for you to keep up with your job obligations, cut back on child care expenses, and of course spend more time watching your little one learn and grow.
3. Stay Organised Keeping up with a newborn is demanding and may have you feeling like youre being pulled in a lot of directions at once. One great way to stay on track is staying organised. Making a daily or weekly to-do list is a tool that can be very helpful when balancing your baby and your job. This way, you can start looking ahead and come across fewer surprises. Planning outfits and meals for yourself and your baby can also be a great way to create more free time for yourself to enjoy motherhood. Use this time to decorate your nursery, shop for cute baby clothes, or spend the day at the park.
4. Most Importantly, Stay Calm Being a new mum, there will be moments where you may feel overwhelmed or stressed out trying to balance everything. Dont be too hard on yourself. Make sure to take some time out of the day for yourself - whether it be in the morning before your baby wakes up, during your commute to work, or on your lunch break. Take some time to listen to some calming music, read a book, or just meditate to prepare your mind for the day ahead.
