Having children is a major life transition that puts all other thoughts and objectives into perspective. Some parents modify every plan they have for their children’s care. However, this is not a must, and there should be nothing prohibiting you from continuing to pursue your life objectives as a parent.
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Re-entering the workplace may be difficult, and even those who are eager to return to work may be hesitant to do so because it is such a significant shift, not only for the individual re-entering the workplace but also for the rest of the family. Routines will alter, and this can be a challenging barrier to overcome. However, if you prepare ahead and have a decent concept of the difficulties you’ll face, it won’t be as stressful, and you’ll be able to do what’s best for you and your family.
Read on for some practical advice that will benefit everyone.
Find good childcare
One of the most difficult aspects of returning to work is finding good childcare. The earlier you start your search, the most likely you can find a reliable one.
It may seem silly to start looking for a babysitter before your child comes, but asking friends for recommendations might help the searching process go more quickly.
Before you go back to work, do a few trials runs with your childcare provider. This may make you feel more comfortable about leaving your child with them and allow you to be happy and more productive at work.
Do a trial run
Before returning to work, conduct a test run by dressing up for work, packing your baby’s bags, and driving the same route to daycare or the grandparents’ house as you would on an actual day. When D-day arrives, you’ll have the opportunity to solve any expected issues and change your routine.
Prepare a feeding plan for you and the baby
Before you go back to work, decide if you are going to breastfeed your baby full-time, part-time, or use formula.
If you want to keep nursing your baby, you’ll need to pump at work to keep your milk production up and provide milk for your child while you’re home.
Breastfeeding takes a lot of energy, so it’s crucial to choose and prepare your meals too. Nutritious meals will assist you in maintaining your energy and milk production.
Allocate time for yourself
Returning to work after having a child might be challenging. Plan ahead and schedule some “me” time to do things you love. That’s may help you refill your batteries and be more prepared for work.
Set clear boundaries
You’ll have different priorities in your life after you become a parent.
You may have worked excessive hours, much above what was expected of you in the past. Or maybe you never truly stopped working after you came home for the evening, and you always checked your emails and answered the phone.
When you’re a parent, this may not be feasible, and it may also no longer be what you want. Instead, you’ll need to establish clear limits in order to attain a healthy work-life balance.
Have an open discussion with your manager about the hours you’re available to work. You may also discuss your career plan and decide what you need for a work-life balance. It will be an appropriate time to declare that you’ll be unavailable for overtime and out of communication after regular business hours.
Prepare for the unexpected
Even if you are now able to work full-time, you may require greater flexibility in the future if your child becomes ill or a babysitter cancels.
Prepare a contingency plan in case of an emergency. Discuss with your manager how to notify them if you need to leave work right away or require an unexpected day off.
