Going back to work after having a baby is one of the hardest transitions we’ve faced as parents. We remember the mix of emotions all too well: the excitement of returning to a routine, the fear of missing milestones, the guilt about not being there enough, and the never-ending juggle of work, home, and family life.
If you’re in this season, you’re not alone. Here are five things that helped us when we returned to work after maternity leave.
Learning to Manage
the Guilt
The guilt hit us harder than we expected. Missing firsts, being away for long stretches, and wondering if we were doing the right thing—it was all overwhelming. What helped was reframing how we saw work. It wasn’t “time away from our child.” It was part of how we provided for them and built a life for our family.
We also found that the time we did spend together became more intentional. A bedtime story, morning snuggle, or even a silly song in the car felt extra special because it was ours.
2.
Juggling Chores &
Family Time
There were so many nights when the laundry piled up, dinner was rushed, and we felt pulled in ten directions. What shifted things was letting go of perfection. We started sharing the load more evenly, asking for help when we needed it, and accepting that sometimes the dishes could wait if it meant sitting on the floor to play with our child.
One small change that made a big difference was prepping the night before—packing bags, laying out clothes, even planning simple meals. It gave us calmer mornings and made the days feel less chaotic.
Giving Ourselves Permission for
“Adult Time”
At first, we felt guilty for wanting time to ourselves. But we came to realise that a parent who’s recharged and fulfilled is far more present with their child. Sometimes that meant listening to a podcast on the commute, catching up with a friend over coffee, or simply enjoying a quiet bath at the end of the day.
Self-care doesn’t have to be big or elaborate. It’s about recognising that you matter too.
Planning for Breastfeeding
and Childcare Logistics
The practical side of returning to work can be just as overwhelming as the emotional side. For us, it was all about planning. Establishing a pumping routine, coordinating drop-offs and pick-ups, and packing bags the night before gave us back a sense of control. It wasn’t always smooth, and there were mornings when everything went wrong—but having a plan (and a backup plan) made things feel manageable.
5. Building a Support Network
The biggest lesson we learned is that we couldn’t do it all on our own. Having a support network made all the difference. That meant leaning on friends and family, connecting with other working parents who understood the challenges, and being honest with our employers about what we needed.
Asking for help didn’t make us weak—it made us stronger and gave us space to be the kind of parents we wanted to be.
Our Final Thoughts
Returning to work after maternity leave is a huge adjustment, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel easy right away. Give yourself permission to learn, to stumble, and to grow into your new rhythm. Every family’s balance looks different, and there’s no single “right way” to do it.
What matters is knowing you’re not alone in this, and reminding yourself that you’re doing an amazing job—because you truly are.
