You’ve done the hard part. Or so it seemed. Birth, recovery, those sleepless nights, and a steep learning curve of newborn care. Now, just as you’re settling into a rhythm with your baby, it’s time to return to work. But here’s what most people won’t say out loud: going back isn’t just a practical step. It’s an emotional recalibration, a psychological gear shift, and yes, a chance to rediscover parts of yourself you might not have seen in a while.
This isn’t about just surviving that first day back. It’s about shifting the story. Returning to work after maternity leave can be an empowering experience, but only if we talk about what really goes on.
You’re Not the Same, And That’s a Strength
Let’s get something straight. When you go back to work after maternity leave, you will not walk back into your old job as the exact same person who left. You’ve changed. Whether it’s subtle or seismic, there’s a difference in how you think, what you prioritise, and how you spend your energy.
That’s not a disadvantage. In fact, it can make you a better problem solver, a sharper communicator, and someone who sees both details and the big picture with new clarity. The pressure and unpredictability of parenting shape a kind of resilience you can’t learn in any office training.
Your Confidence Might Take a Hit — Briefly
Even the most self-assured professionals can feel a bit shaky stepping back into meetings or projects after months away. It’s not that you forgot how to do your job. It’s that the internal dialogue can get loud.
“Am I still good at this?”
“Did the team move on without me?”
“Can I really do both well?”
Here’s what’s important: that voice softens over time. Your brain didn’t shut down during maternity leave. It was working overtime, just on different things. The skills you had are still there. You just need time to stretch them again.
Guilt Shows Up, Uninvited
You might feel guilty dropping your baby off at daycare or with a caregiver. You might also feel guilty for actually enjoying parts of your workday — like adult conversation, hot coffee, or uninterrupted thoughts.
That guilt is common, but it’s not a sign you’re doing anything wrong. Loving your child and loving your job aren’t in competition. They can coexist, and they often make each other better. Being fulfilled professionally can support your parenting, and vice versa.
The Mental Load Is Real, But You Can Handle It
Balancing meetings, feeding schedules, sick days, and grocery lists? It’s a juggling act that requires strategy, patience, and flexibility. Yes, some days will feel like a marathon. But with time, routines form. Boundaries get clearer. And you’ll start building systems that support you, not stress you out.
If you’re sharing responsibilities with a partner or caregiver, now is the time to have honest conversations about what needs to shift. You’re not “doing it all.” You’re leading a team, even if that team is just two people.
Your Priorities Might Change, And That’s a Clue, Not a Crisis
You may return to work and realise you want different things. Maybe your old role doesn’t excite you the way it used to. Maybe you want more flexibility. Or maybe, surprisingly, you want more responsibility.
All of that is valid. The shift in perspective that comes from becoming a parent can shine a light on what matters most to you — professionally and personally. Let it guide your next steps rather than confuse you. You’re allowed to evolve.
What Actually Helps: Practical Shifts That Make It Easier
This isn’t about having the perfect plan or morning routine. But a few practical strategies can lighten the load and make the transition smoother.
- Prep the night before – Clothes, bags, lunch, bottles. Even if it takes 20 minutes, it can make mornings feel manageable.
- Build buffer time – Don’t schedule meetings too tightly in your first few weeks back. Leave room to settle in, catch up, and breathe.
- Communicate your needs – Let your manager or team know what support looks like for you, within reason. Most people want to help, but they need clarity.
- Plan something positive – A lunch with a friend, a walk on your break, or even a great podcast on the commute can give your day a lift.
- Celebrate small wins – You got dressed, got out the door, and showed up. That’s worth recognising, especially early on.
You’re Still You, Just More of You
Going back to work after maternity leave doesn’t mean choosing between being a professional and being a parent. It’s about integrating both sides and letting them inform each other.
You may move slower some days. You may look at work problems with fresh eyes. You may realise you don’t have patience for fluff or pretence anymore. And that’s a good thing. It means you’re showing up with clarity, purpose, and more self-awareness than ever before.
The Firsts Are the Hardest
That first drop-off. First email. First day without checking your phone every 10 minutes. First time realising you laughed at work again. These moments can feel huge, and emotional. But they get easier. Eventually, they become your new normal.
It won’t always feel balanced. Some weeks will lean more into parenting. Others will lean into work. But the more you accept that flow, the less pressure you’ll feel to “nail” everything at once.
Your New Chapter Is Already in Motion
There’s no secret formula for making this return perfect. But what helps is remembering that growth isn’t always smooth or easy. It’s real, and it’s happening, right now.
You’ve already done something extraordinary by becoming a parent. Now, you get to build a version of life that includes your career too. It may look different than it did before, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful.
In fact, it might make it even more so.
DISCLOSURE – This is a collaborative post.
