Becoming a mum changes your world in ways that are hard to explain until you're living it. And then maternity leave starts winding down and you're expected to slip back into a version of your old life.
Except you're not quite the same person who left it. And that's okay 🤍
Returning to work can feel exciting, emotional and overwhelming, sometimes all before 9am 😅 You don't have to "get back" to who you were. But a bit of preparation makes the whole thing a lot smoother.
Here's the countdown I'd follow.
Four weeks out: do a trial run ⏰
- Do one full practice morning, including daycare drop off and the commute.
- Time it. Then add 15 minutes, because there's always a nappy or a missing shoe.
- Sort your childcare essentials: spare clothes, bottles, sunscreen, comfort items.
Two weeks out: sort your bag setup 🎒
This is where a good system saves you. You want one bag that carries your day, and one grab and go option for drop off.
The Anywhere Backpack works well for the full day, because the side access means you can reach baby gear without digging through your work things. For quick daycare runs, the Mum Club Crossbody keeps the basics in one place and still looks like a bag you'd carry anyway.
One week out: stock and restock 🛒
- Restock nappies, wipes and spare outfits.
- Put your work essentials in one spot: laptop, charger, lanyard, lunch.
- Plan three easy dinners so you're not deciding at 5.30pm.
The night before: pack everything 🌙
Pack both bags. Lay out your outfit and baby's. Fill bottles, charge devices and put keys somewhere you'll actually find them.
Pro move: a Lunch Buddy style insulated bag means your lunch and baby's snacks are sorted before you've even started the day.
The first morning: lower the bar ☕
You will probably be late for something. That's normal.
Aim for "everyone is fed and dressed", not perfect. Keep the morning routine short, and leave a buffer so you can arrive at work calm instead of flustered.
The first week: protect your energy 💛
- Say no to extra plans where you can.
- Keep dinners simple and bedtime early.
- Check in with yourself at the end of each day. What worked? What do you want to tweak?
Make a little space for you ✨
Reclaiming your identity doesn't need a dramatic transformation. It can be small.
Pilates. Coffee with a friend, no pram. An outfit that makes you feel good. An hour doing something that has nothing to do with babies.
You can miss your baby and enjoy being at work. You can love motherhood and love having something that's yours. One feeling doesn't cancel out the other.
🤍 Huddo tip: Keep a small "reset kit" in your work bag: wipes, a spare top, hand sanitiser and a snack. You'll be so glad when daycare calls with a spill or you've got a surprise stain on your shirt.
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