Jan. 30, 2019

Making It Work When You Go Back To Work

Going back to work with little ones at home is complicated— even if you’re secretly thrilled to get back that half hour on the train. Here are our listeners’ tips for smoother returns to work, whether it’s been 6 weeks, 6 months, or a lot longer.

We asked our listeners to tell us their best tips (and hardest struggles) around returning to the workplace— whether it’s been six weeks, six months, or a few years.

Our listener Greta suggested this topic. After three-and-a-half years at home with her child, she "moved across the country, started kid in preschool, and started back at work at the same time.” Dr. Lisa D’Amour says that change equals stress, and if that’s the case… that's a whole lot of change.

In this episode we discuss: dealing with the guilt (right or wrong, many mothers feel it)the surprising usefulness of the commutewhy your first day back at work should be a Wednesday the layers of challenge that breastfeeding can add. To those of you about to pump, we salute you. Here’s a link to breastfeeding-at-work rights by statehow to approach your boss about a job share If you’re a mom contemplating a onramping attempt after a quite lengthy stay-at-home gap, we talked about that a little in this episode- and then decided that deserves its own conversation! That episode is coming soon.

In the meantime, here are two back-to-work resources suggested by listener Gretchen: 

- iRelaunch

- Career Relaunch

When all else fails, listen to our listener Rachael: 

"I went back after 12 weeks. It was tough, but I can say now that it’s been another 12 weeks, it gets easier. You get a routine. And the baby honestly does great at daycare."

What helped with your own back-to-work transition? Tell us in the comments? 

Photo by Nastuh Abootalebi on Unsplash

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