I recently returned to work after 8 months of being a stay at home mum and although it has broadened my views I intrinsically have not changed. I still want to go to work and although I love my child with a passion I could not 24/7 look after her.
Having said that I found the transition back to work extremely difficult. Week 1 I was a bit of a loon as my brain tried to work out what I now wanted from the job that had once been a substantial portion of my life.
Although I have a supportive line manager and partner I did not share, nor did they have a clue, of what I was going through.
I am sure that many returners turn around at the first day and either decide to leave or tune out.
I now wonder what support could be put in place for parents who return to work after a period of time off, and could that support enable more returners to work?