One week until I return to work from maternity - tips?

[Dollywilde]

I’m back at work in one week after a year out on maternity (spending most of it in lockdown but hey that’s another thread…)

DD will be spending a few weeks with her dad (annual leave) and grandparents and starting nursery in September. I’m going back four days a week and DH will be working from home 2 of the days I’m in the office, so it’s not all on me.

But it’s suddenly occurred to me I probably ought to be a bit more prepared I’ve literally just agreed the date with work and will be trotting into the office like I’m back from holiday or something.

Given I’ve only got a week I know I can’t do much but I would be very grateful for any tips on stuff to think about or do? Maybe some batch cooking or mass purchase of Cook ready meals? Might treat myself to a new book for the train (!!! an hour a day to read, by myself!!! Maybe this isn’t quite as awful as I’m assuming!!)

Make sure laundry is up to date for everyone and ideally a weeks worth of outfits picked out so there's no stress. But that's once it's nursery I suppose.

You're all likely to get hundreds of colds and little one will be in and out of nursery, hopefully that's where GP will step up. But chat about who takes days off when so you're not doing them all and your boss gets fed up. (And make sure you're taking vitamins and drops for the baby).

If you were me I'd have to practice not apologising for not knowing stuff and having to ask/be shown. You can't be expected to be clued up after a year out.

You will have amassed a shit tonne of annual leave - think how you will use it. I only learnt after I started back that most people tack on a months extra mat leave using accrewed a/l

@NigellaSeed great point. I really need to sit down with our calendars, I’ve got 36 days somehow despite going down to 4 days! Thank you.

@Di11y oh yes! I mean we have only a few more weeks to nursery so I am going to try and get well ahead on laundry. I’m terrified about the getting back into work bit tbh. Feel like I’ve forgotten what I am capable of other than nap times, nappies and weaning! But I will try and strap up and be confident ☺️