Anxiety and guilt are some of the key emotions felt by new mothers when they think of making the decision to go back to work.
Just as you get used to staying at home after securing a routine with a new born, you realize your maternity leave is over. The thought of waking up at 6 a.m. and racing off to a job after being up all night with a crying baby seems impossible. And then there's the guilt: How can you spend so much time away from your infant?
No matter how long and hard you've thought about your decision to return to work and how sure you are that it's the right choice, you need to be prepared for the mixed emotions that inevitably will emerge.
Here are six simple ways to create a work-life balance post baby:
Trust your help
Accept the fact that it takes more than you to take care of your child. It is important for you to recognize that your child is safe and taken care of in the arms of the caregiver.
Building a community around your child will make you feel more secure when ups and downs of life occur. Call the grandparents and ask them how they feel about their grandkids sleeping over once in a while or ask a girlfriend to babysit for you.
Try it and work through the attachment issues because the outcomes of this are truly worth a healthier and more balanced life.
Be Transparent in your Work Place
Allow your colleagues and your boss to get a glimpse of your reality. It is better to be in a healthy mental and physical state than to be perfect at work. What does 'perfect' look like anyway?
Be in the right spirits while working. Accept that you may have to 'fake it ’til you make it.' Have ready a short positive answer to “How are you?” along the lines of “It’s good to be back.”
Work it out as a team and learn from other working mothers in your office space. This kind of support can help you achieve more peace and happiness in life and your workplace.
Get into a Routine
Remember those things you always wanted to do. Learn to skate or take an exotic trip to Africa in five years. Sign up for skating lessons and start saving money for a family trip. You are finding a way to include your children in your life while giving you both the chance to feel happy and fulfilled. When children see their mother happy, they learn what happiness truly is and that is the best lesson you can teach them in life.
Do Not Compare
Stop comparing yourself to mothers around you. Only you can be the best mother for your children and while other mothers might seem perfect, everyone struggles to balance life.
The key idea here is to keep things simple and communicate when the routines and expectations are not working for you. It is critical to communicate with the key players in the family such as the father of your kids, your parents and in-laws.
A routine for the caring of the children should aim for consistency and should work for everyone involved including you.
Guilty as charged?
Do not activate the 'Guilty Mom Complex' and question whether you should be with the kids when you are at work. Take a deep breath and remember that more than half of all new moms go back to work when their infants are younger than one year old.
Think about the added benefits to your children with your income and the fulfillment you are achieving by balancing career and personal life. You have to trust that you are where you are supposed to be.
Take Care of Yourself
As women, there is often a natural sense to take care of everyone around you and neglect yourself. Find 30 minutes to 60 minutes every day for yourself whether it is exercising, a bath, and even chatting with a friend. Plan your life so you are a priority because you can only give your best to your children if you are energized and fulfilled yourself.
Share this blog with other working mothers you know in your community and don't forget to take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Pic credit: healthyfamiliesbc.ca
Feature Image: yummymummy.com
Anokhi Blogs, Anokhi Media, Anxiety, Balancing, Children, Employment, Happiness, Income, Money, New Moms, People, Physical, Relationship, Routines, Single, Successful, Women, Work- Home Balance, Working Mothers
Yvonne Sinniah
Author
Yvonne Sinniah (@YvonneSinniah) is a Relations Advisor and inspirational speaker focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. She is on a mission to meet a nee...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City