Have you ever seen a mother who just gave birth? Can you quantify the joy and excitement that oozes through them from holding their bundles of Joy? Of course, it can’t be quantified.
But do you know, parenting is not easy and for most mothers who take maternity leave to care for their newborn, going back to work is a huge burden that often wears off their excitement?
Why? Because the stress and workload become too much to handle. Oftentimes, this arouses different emotions in women. In this blog post, you will be learning about the emotions that arise, how to address them, tips to help you when going back to work after a baby. This post is for you if you are an expectant mother or you have someone going through this stage.
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Emotions Experienced by Mother who are to go to Work After Baby
Different reasons such as lack of sleep, tiredness, hormonal changes, etc might arouse different emotions in you which might make going back to the work task. Below are the emotions and how to navigate through them.
Anger
You might feel resentful about going to work after baby, this is called postpartum anger and this can be redirected towards your employer or anyone around you.
When this happens, give yourself to meditation, exercise, etc to release the anger or reach out to a professional.
Sadness
This is as a result of feeling overwhelmed or depressed and this might make you cry.
If you feel this way, take a break, and care for yourself.
Excitement
You can feel excited if you so much love your job and if it is easy for you to multitask.
However, learn to value every moment.
Anxiety
This can result when you don’t have trusted childcare to entrust your kid to. Here, you are worried about your child’s safety. This can be addressed by regular check-ins through calls, unannounced visits, etc.
Guilt
This is a feeling that comes upon you when torn between making the right or wrong decision. It includes going back to work or leaving your child all alone too early.
When you feel this way, choose trusted friends, family, or a parenting coach to talk to and guide your decision.
Ways To Get prepared for Going To Work After Baby
The best wag to get prepared for work without lagging in your motherly and widely duties are:
Lookout for Childcare
You need to be on the lookout for trusted childcare to entrust your child to as you work. This you can find by asking for recommendations from friends, colleagues, etc. Because your child must be adequately catered for even in your absence.
Have a Baby Feeding Plan
You must decide if you’d be going for baby formula, full time, or part tile breastfeeding. Because it can be stressful and take a toll on you if not well planned.
Back-up carer
You might have a regular person catering for your child in your absence, but you need a backup on emergency cases where the regular is sick or absent, this is the way you don’t get weary and in your boss’s way. However, you must create time to bond with your child.
Create a routine
This could be a routine that involves spending time with your family and keeping your home organized, but let it be a stackable one.
Have Cooking Plans
This is the process where you cook more than the needed food to be kept in the freezer, to save you the stress of cooking or shopping every day after work.
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Get things done a day before
Getting your chores or task a day before keeps you from the early morning rush, this could be laundry, dishes, etc.
Seek Help
Do not be close-mouthed, when you need aid, always seek it from anyone close by.
Some Do’s When Going Back To Work After Baby
To live healthy as you go back to work, below are what to do;
Cut yourself some slack
Motherhood changes everything about you, it might make you forgetful, weak, etc. But whatever happens, while you work, take a deep breath or break, but never hate yourself.
Ask for help
When you are stuck or confused while working, do not keep shut, ask for help.
Discuss your situation with your boss
This is a way of getting support when you are sick, have a clinical visit, etc. It is also a way of getting flexible work hours.
Put your mental health first
When your emotions are taking charge, seek help by speaking with professionals.
Connect with other working parents
When you get connected with other patent going through the same situation as you or who has been through it, you might get enough experience to guide you.
Some Dont’s When Going Back To Work After Baby
Don’t expect coworkers understanding or sympathy
It is difficult for someone who has never been through it to understand what you are going through, so you will be offended, just don’t let them affect you.
Don’t heed to peer pressure
Don’t go back to work because you are told to and so jot take much than you can handle. When your mental and physical health isn’t ready to go back to work, do not force it.
Don’t ignore your body
Your body needs rest after childbirth, so because you feel strong does not mean you should neglect your body. Take a break, feed well, exercise, and drink enough water.
Don’t try to catch up
Don’t go through what you’ve missed in a hurry, rather be guided into them.
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Conclusion
Going back to work after a baby can be scary and fun at the same time, but it is possible to overcome if all this best advice is followed.
Before going back to work, you need to discuss with your partner plans about handling chores, raising your child, shuffling between activities, taking different courses while at home, keeping in touch with colleagues at work, and always planning.
Have you been through any of this? If yes, how did you navigate going back to work? Share with us your experience.
