Returning to Work

For many stay-at-home moms, returning to work is a tough decision. Some moms return to work by necessity and others by choice, but whatever their reasons for returning to work, they often feel stressed-out, exhausted, emotions, guilty, and worried about their baby. This is natural, since before returning to work they were their baby's primary full-time caregivers.

Many moms returning to work also worry about what going back to work will be like. Will they pick up where they left off? Have the office dynamics changed since they've been gone? Will they be able to cope with having two jobs now: a 9-5 job and also that of being a mom?

Here are some handy tips to cope with the stress and worry or retuning to work:

Get Organized

Most new moms agree that being organized is the key to coping with the return to work. This may mean that you prepare your clothes and lunch for the next day, and Baby's milk, formula, diapers etc. the night before.

Having a childcare backup plan is also a good idea, especially if you are using a nanny or other caregiver who may become unable to look after your baby for a day or two due to sickness etc. This is less likely to be the case, however, if you use a daycare.

Keep in Touch

Keep an open line of communication between you and your boss, and you and your child care provider. Be sure to talk to each about your concerns that relate to them. Enlist the support of both. Also, keep the lines of communication open between you and your partner.

Do Your Research Ahead of Time

Pregnancy is a great time to start researching childcare options. You may choose a daycare company, a nanny or au pair, a registered child care provider, or a family member or friend to help you take care of Baby.

Decide which is right for you before baby arrives. You may want to consider taking advantage of a mixture of options. You will probably want to visit them a number of times before you make up your mind, and your life will be less hectic before baby arrives.

Start Gradually

To get yourself and your baby comfortable with new child care arrangements, you may want to gradually introduce the arrangements before you start work. Take a day to yourself a couple of times before you go back to work to test your new childcare setup. This can also allow you some time to spend on yourself before life becomes even m ore hectic.

You may also want to jump back into the work force more gradually too. Discuss with your employer the options of half-days, part-time work, flexible hours, or working from home to ease you back into the routine for a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

Another way of gradually making your way back into the workforce is to start taking online classes. This will prepare you for the additional responsibilities of the workplace, but it does not require you to leave your home or children. Online universities are becoming increasingly popular, which means that just about any degree you could possibly desire is available to you.