After Maternity Leave – Getting Back To Work?

Getting back to work after maternity leave is a unique experience – both for the baby and the mother.

First is “THE” decision. To work or not? And when? And how? And what work to take up? Most mothers go through a range of deep thoughts and human emotions – ranging from worry, to guilt, to anxiety, to indecisiveness, to happiness, to questions, to what’s really the right thing to do, to how to balance professional commitments and personal priorities, to….. The list is endless.

From my own personal experience and discussing this with several of my mummy friends here is what I can say with absolute conviction: There really is NO right or wrong in the decision to work or not. It all depends on YOU…

What do you want? What is right for you and your family at that particular point in time? What kind of circumstance are you in? What kind of support system do you have? And most importantly, how bad do you really want to work?

I went through all of the above when I became a mother. And I decided to resume work after my maternity leave. Along the way I learned a few lessons which I am sharing in this post – with the intent that it may help some mother somewhere.

It’s a personal choice

Be clear on your priorities

Plan, Plan, Plan

Start the solid foods for your baby (if possible)

Get the right support network

Recalibrate your expectations of yourself

Express yourself & Speak-up

Converse with other mothers

Give yourself ‘Me Time’

Of course your situation is personal and unique to you. But then again, how unique can it really be?

via:http://nischalamurthy.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/after-maternity-leave-getting-back-to-work/