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Original poster

Going back to work after maternity leave, how do you cope?

31 replies

tigerbreadandtea · 15/10/2021 21:07

I am absolutely dreading going back to work. I'm still on maternity leave and feel tired all the time. How on earth do you manage to work too?

OP posts:
MiloAndEddie · 15/10/2021 21:37

100% the thought of it is much harder than the reality

Lemonysherbet · 15/10/2021 21:40

It's actually a break going back to work.

For your first two weeks back make very few social plans, get anyone who lives with you to pull more than their weight with housework etc so you have a bit of breathing space whilst you get back into work.

It's a change for sure but I hugely positive one for me

didireallysaythat · 15/10/2021 21:42

Plan. Clothes out night before, bags for nursery etc but don't try to do more than nursery and work to begin with ?

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Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 15/10/2021 22:13

Some good tips here thank you.

OP posts:
ISeeTheLight · 15/10/2021 22:14

Get your thyroid levels checked!

Santastuckincustoms · 15/10/2021 22:17

Coffee. It depends on your work. My work was not a break, it is full on and I do it on broken sleep. You just get used to it really.

Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 15/10/2021 22:32

I have taken on more of the cleaning etc at home on maternity leave and the house is still a mess....thinking a cleaner is the way forward.

OP posts:
Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 16/10/2021 10:20

Bumping

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 16/10/2021 10:23

@tigerbreadandtea

I have taken on more of the cleaning etc at home on maternity leave and the house is still a mess....thinking a cleaner is the way forward.
If you can afford it’s definitely worth it.

The thought of work is worse than the reality. You get some alone time and that is very helpful.

BlairWaldorfLovesShopping · 16/10/2021 10:37

Probably a bit late for you, but my DH took some of the maternity leave so that when I went back (full time) he was at home doing what I previously did. Then once he returned to work, I used annual leave to work “part time” for a few months. That way when the real hard work began (i.e. once we were both back full time), baby was a year old and I was already used to working. We will do the same this time around with DC2.

Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 16/10/2021 11:16

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping sounds good. I am planning to use annual leave to make things easier for myself and not go back working every day.

OP posts:
BookFiend4Life · 16/10/2021 13:37

Yes get a cleaner. And interview them first of course, if you can find one that is happy to help tidying up instead of just cleaning that is best because otherwise you will be frantically running around everytime they come to clean to get stuff put away

Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 16/10/2021 16:00

Definitely want a cleaner but can't find anyone good who has capacity!

OP posts:
Usuallyhappycamper · 16/10/2021 16:13

Cry for the first week. Thing is you go back when the kid is getting a lot more mobile. It's quite nice to realise that the whole time you are at work, they are not at home trashing the place. It all works out somehow.

Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 17/10/2021 06:33

Baby used to be such a good sleeper but for the last week or so has been waking up at 5am

OP posts:
bookish83 · 17/10/2021 07:16

Pack everything you can the night before.

Get yourself ready before baby gets up, even if that means setting an alarm earlier. I find the most stressful days are the ones when I wake at the same time then feel rushed!

For the first few weeks/even longer, just do work and settling into your routine. Don't make too many plans with people, even on a weekend. It is mentally a challenge to spit your brain I feel so sometimes you just need a break.

That said, it is nice to be back at work😊😊

mindutopia · 17/10/2021 08:24

I actually found it easier going back to work than being at home. If you have disrupted nights, you just drink more coffee. And get your partner involved in doing the nights and early mornings, if not alreasdy. But the bonus is that you get time to yourself and to recharge. I didn't find the house got as messy with no one in it all day. I did 12 hour days getting up at 5:30am for a long commute and even with still feeding during the night for a few months, once I settled into the new normal, I think I felt better overall than being home 100%.

alphabetti · 17/10/2021 14:24

I went back 01/09 and half enjoying being back half stressed! The key is definitely preparation I do not go to bed until her nursery bag is ready and clothes prepared for the next day. I’m WFH at moment so I spend half my lunch break doing housework and it’s exhausting so if you could afford a cleaner I’d say get one. I have older children who need transporting to sports on evenings and weekend and my partner doesn’t drive so it’s all up to me to drive them and that doesn’t help. I love having a full wage after all the months of SMP so that helps. Not going to lie I have found things tough some days especially when baby had bad night but I just try to view it as short term

GoldChick · 17/10/2021 14:26

Use holiday for when child is inevitably sick and off nursery. Plan in advance who is "covering" that days sickness if you get the call.

GoldChick · 17/10/2021 14:26

Don't feel guilty of you batch cook and get yourself a meal deal instead of making everything up.

Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 17/10/2021 14:39

Thanks ladies! I'm an organised person anyway so things like getting everything ready the night before would come naturally to me. I must admit when I did a KIT day it felt easy compared to looking after the baby. Will try and batch cook and not make too many plans. It will be January so probably not too difficult to spend weekends at home!

OP posts:
AutumnLeafy · 17/10/2021 14:39

If its full weeks is there a way you can do a gradual return? Like have a couple of 4 day weeks?

AutumnLeafy · 17/10/2021 14:40

You soon get into a routine

addictedtotheflats · 17/10/2021 14:41

I don't 🤣 been back nearly 2 years and I'm tired all.the.time. Having said that, running an emergency department is easier than looking after a 2.5 year old.

timeisnotaline · 17/10/2021 14:43

Make sure your partner steps up to balance the home/work load. Ideally they should do pick up or drop off. When mine does drop off that means waking them, dressing them, feeding them, ensuring their bags are packed and taking them. Pick up means bring them home and feed them then start bath bed routine.
Also, when I return from mat leave my partner takes point on leave when baby is sick. You get that phone call and he leaves to collect. In practice my work was quite light on the first couple of weeks so I did split them but the deal was if I had a meeting or something I could just say that and he had to do the parenting.