I’m returning to work after having a child. How can I get into gear?
Ask an expert is our weekly column dedicated to helping readers overcome problems at work and get ahead in their careers. This week, Parents at Work chief executive Emma Walsh helps a first-time mum return to work.
The problem: I’m going back to work in two months after having my first child, and I don’t know how it’s going to work. My child is still waking me up a few times a night, my brain only thinks about my family, and my job requires initiative and creativity. How do I get back into gear, and how will my baby survive without me?
Returning to work after having a baby requires patience and flexibility, says Parents at Work CEO Emma Walsh. Jacob Prinsloo
The advice: ”Returning to work after having a baby is a significant life change that requires patience and flexibility,” Walsh says. “Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go as planned – experiment with what works and what doesn’t, and change things up when needed.”
Walsh says parents should allow themselves four to six weeks to develop a return-to-work plan. So, you’ve also got time on your side with two months of leave left to go.
In that time, you should finalise your childcare arrangements, adjust your family schedule, and talk to your manager about the support the company offers to returning parents and what you need and expect from your return. (For example, some firms offer relief from billable hours, free coaching sessions and part-time hours on full-time pay.)
On this score, Walsh says it’s good to have a clear idea of what you want from your employer upon your return. But you also shouldn’t become completely wedded to a plan you formulate on your own, as your employer will need to provide some input too.
“Where it can go wrong is where we do all the prep, we plan everything we want to say, we have exactly what we want, and we go in and try to make the pitch to the employer and convince them that this can work,” Walsh says. “And that often doesn’t land.”
Be willing to experiment
Instead, it pays to invite their feedback and be willing to experiment, she says. And you don’t have to reinvent the wheel or do it all on your own, either.
Walsh recommends asking for advice from friends and colleagues who have recently returned to work after having children, as well as leveraging peer support groups and community resources such as not-for-profit organisation Karitane. The parental support group offers advice on everything from breastfeeding and sleep strategies to professional development and employment opportunities.
It’s worth clarifying your professional priorities before you return too. That way, you can ensure you’re working on the most important tasks at any given time, which becomes even more crucial when you have to juggle caring responsibilities with work.
As for how your baby will cope without you, Walsh recommends finding a childcare provider that meets your needs and standards, and establishing a routine that helps your baby adjust to the sleep and feeding times they’ll need to stick to when you’re back at work.
“Stay connected with your baby’s carer throughout the day by using video calls or messaging apps if that’s what works for you,” Walsh adds. “This can help ease separation anxiety and keep you updated on your baby’s progress.”
Got a work-related problem you need help with? Please email euan.black@afr.com under the subject name “Ask an expert”. Work & Careers will get an expert to answer your question and keep your name and details anonymous.
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