Last few days of maternity leave - what should I be doing?

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Going back to work in Jan, and I am hoping for some tips to help make life easier once I'm back. Was thinking of making and freezing some healthy meals. Should I be doing anything else? I've just seen a thread about cleaning ovens which filled me with dread...

Not sure oven cleaning would be top of my list either!!

What about:

• Do a list of who is doing what between you and DP (if you have one). It can be easy for the roles of mat leave - eg increased house/"wifework" for the woman - to just carry on despite the fact you are back working.

• DH and I have a " family meeting" on Sun pm when we are both working (am on 2nd mat leave) to go through the week/ urgent tasks. It can be easy to forget/overlook things when you are busy/doing the childcare juggle during the week.

• Do a dry run of a morning to test the timings. Maybe produce a check list of the things that need to be done before work. So with me it was - make up milk bottles and pack DS's nursery bag.

• Go through any to-dos that it would be good to get out of the way eg "ring the insurance company".

• Depending on your work, is there anything you want to know about before you arrive? Obviously the starting back day will come soon enough but would it benefit you to do some background reading on any new projects etc.

• I got a finger print charm made of DC just before I went back so I could wear it and think of DS when in work.

Finally enjoy the last few days/weeks. Maybe do something to mark the end of mat leave with your DC, go swimming or softplay (depending on the age).

Good luck.