Feeling undermined and superfluous after ML

[headinspin]

I work as a manager of a small team whose principal role is to respond to ad hoc queries from various clients and business teams. While on ML no real cover was in place- some of my work (reviewing team work) went to my bosses, a lot was pushed down to my team and a temp came in to take over some of the teams (more junior) work.
Now I'm back I'm encountering a lot of resentment from my team (they liked reporting to the more senior people being seen as the boss etc) and its very difficult to put myself back in to the work flow (team did a great job so I feel i can't just say to clients talk to me instead)

My bosses aren't really helping (they've told me to come up with strategic plans) so i feel like I'm twiddling my thumbs, doing unnecessary work or treading on my teams toes - plus in danger of being seen as a whinger.
I just don't have a clue what to do! to top it off I'd really like to have another baby (advanced age means I need to do something about this soon) and I can't face the ML issues again...

Given you want another baby then try to get pregnant asap, and hang in there for the next lot of maternity leave (and take early if you can)- then don't worry about the work until you need to come back. Also sounds like they could start thinking redundancy so need to protect yourself by tracking all your meetings, requests for support coming back from ML etc. so you can claim rights from ML and get a payoff if you go. Also if you do get pregnent then tell them early, again to cover yourself.

On a practical level -go back to bosses with ideas on what else you can do to help them in the business given that team are doing such a great job so you don't need to oversupervise.

Team just have to lump it that they report to you as it is your job and you are covered by employment lawy - though no point taking stuff away from them if they do well.