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The prospect of taking a 15-week maternity leave might seem like a joy ride, but it is far from it. Motherhood is nothing like taking a vacation to your favorite holiday destination. There is no chilling in the sun, sipping on your favorite cocktail or retail therapy. There is no sleeping for hours on end without a care in the world.
On the contrary, it looks a lot like changing diapers and falling into a deep, much-needed sleep, only to be awakened by the cries of your little one. I love being a mother, and I love my little one, but I am not going to sugarcoat the realities of motherhood. It comes with a lot of responsibilities and sacrifices. That is why I believe that the maternity leave we are entitled to is a blessing because imagine taking care of your baby and working while you’re at it! Nevertheless, the transition from your maternity leave days and back to your working days can be overwhelming.
Everything seemed to happen so fast — it seemed like one moment I was at my desk, sorting out mails, while the next, I was at home nursing my baby. And before I knew it, I was back to work again. So, I took it upon myself to share my knowledge on how to make the most of your maternity leave, so the transition is a tad bit easier:
Before The Leave Commences
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Breathe. Then go ahead and read all the HR policies that your company offers, so you can make the most use of what benefits they have to offer. Sometimes, in addition to the maternity leaves available, you can also add sick/medical leaves and vacation leaves to make your sabbatical longer. Talk to your HR about this option. Once this is done, start organizing your work. Make a list of all the tasks that have been completed and the pending tasks. Give access to whoever is taking over in your absence, so that they do not have to go through any hassles.
Also notify team members and important clients about your sabbatical, so they are not taken by surprise, in case something on priority is required from your end. Have a productive discussion with your manager, so he/she is aware of your plan for your sabbatical. Finally, create an out-of-office email, so those who reach out to you will know that you are on your maternity leave and will be back soon.
During The Maternity Leave
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You’ve just given birth to a baby — focus on yourself and the baby. Motherhood does not come with a handbook, and nothing prepares you to be a mother, so go easy on yourself. The first few days after my delivery, I was in a daze. My body had changed, and my mind was finding it hard to catch up. The precious bundle of joy I carried for nine months was finally in my arms. It was delicate, messy, and loud. I had too many questions and no answers — Was I holding my baby right? Am I a good mother? Is it wrong to crave some peace?… The questions were endless. All I have to say is this — you’re doing great; we all are. The fact that you’re right here, with your baby, doing all that you can, is enough.
Work can wait. Your out-of-office mail can do the talking. Just take care of yourself and your baby, and try to get some sleep in between all of that.
Back To Work
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Congratulations, you are a working mommy! Getting back to work was the most challenging part for me. As much as I cried and complained during my maternity leave, the end of it hurt me terribly. My little munchkin had to be sent to daycare. In addition to being scared and unsettled, I also went on a very long and bumpy guilt trip. But here is what can help — start prepping up for your return to work well in advance.
First, get your child familiar with the upcoming change. Make the switch from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, or try your hand at breast pumps. Introduce your child to baby foods. One piece of advice that worked for me was, driving to the daycare center and leaving my baby there, in an attempt to see what it would be like when I did this when work started. It helped me get ready for the real deal. Also, go ahead and make your house baby-proof. Find some time to check in on your emails so you don’t get too overwhelmed on your first day back. If you do need an extension of your maternity leave, inform HR well in advance. Make a few calls to your team members to understand what’s going on on the work front.
You’re going to be okay. Mothers have been braving it since the beginning of time, and you will be no exception. Your baby, too, is going to be okay. Organizing yourself can help a great deal, so see how you can prioritize work and set time aside to check on your baby. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly, don’t forget to check on yourself. You, too, need all the TLC, so give yourself the care you need at all times. Do you have any suggestions on how to handle this transition? Let us know in the comments below!
