Returning to work after maternity leave can feel like one of the most emotional transitions of parenthood. One minute your days are built around feeds, naps, and cuddles, and the next you’re preparing for meetings, commutes, childcare routines, and a completely new daily rhythm.
Alongside the practical changes often comes a wave of mixed emotions — guilt, worry, excitement, exhaustion, and even a sense of loss. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about going back to work after having a baby, you are far from alone.
The truth is, returning to work isn’t just a schedule change. It’s a major life adjustment for both you and your child. Finding your balance takes time, patience, and a lot of self-compassion.
These five honest, parent-tested tips will help you manage the emotional and practical realities of returning to work after maternity leave, while building a routine that actually works for your family.
Managing Working Mum Guilt After Maternity Leave
For many parents, the guilt hits harder than expected. Whether it’s worrying about missing milestones, being away during the day, or questioning if you’re doing the right thing, these feelings are incredibly common.
One mindset shift that helped many parents was reframing how they viewed work. Returning to work isn’t just time away from your child — it’s part of how you provide for them, support your household, and build a stable future for your family.
It can also help to focus on the quality of time you spend together rather than the quantity. Bedtime stories, morning cuddles, or even a short play session after work can become deeply meaningful connection points in your day.
Remember, feeling guilty doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It simply means you care.
2.
Balancing Chores, Work, and Family Life (Without Burning Out)
Once work resumes, the mental load can feel overwhelming. Laundry piles up, dinners become rushed, and the pressure to “do it all” can quickly lead to exhaustion.
What made the biggest difference for many working parents was letting go of perfection. Not every meal needs to be homemade. Not every chore needs to be done immediately. Sometimes the dishes can wait if it means spending a calm moment with your child after a long day.
Simple systems can make daily life much smoother:
🤱 Packing bags the night before
🤱 Laying out clothes in advance
🤱 Planning quick, realistic meals
🤱 Sharing responsibilities where possible
Small preparation steps reduce morning stress and help you start the workday feeling more in control rather than already overwhelmed.
Giving Yourself Permission for “Adult Time”
After maternity leave, it’s easy to feel guilty for wanting time that isn’t focused on your child. But self-care is not selfish — it’s essential.
Returning to work is mentally and emotionally demanding. Without time to recharge, burnout can creep in quickly, making it harder to be present both at work and at home.
“Adult time” doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. It can be:
🤱 Listening to a podcast on your commute
🤱 Taking a quiet bath after bedtime
🤱 Meeting a friend for coffee
🤱 Enjoying a hobby you paused during maternity leave
Looking after your own wellbeing helps you return home with more energy, patience, and emotional capacity for your family.
4.
Planning Breastfeeding, Childcare, and Logistics Before You Return
The practical side of returning to work after maternity leave can feel just as overwhelming as the emotional side. Having a loose plan in place can make the transition significantly less stressful.
This might include:
🤱 Establishing a pumping or feeding routine (if breastfeeding)
🤱 Doing trial childcare drop-offs before your first day back
🤱 Confirming pick-up and drop-off schedules
🤱 Preparing work bags and baby bags the night before
It’s also helpful to have a backup plan for sick days, delays, or unexpected schedule changes. Things won’t always go perfectly — and that’s completely normal — but preparation can reduce last-minute panic and decision fatigue.
5. Building a Support Network as a Working Parent
One of the biggest lessons many parents learn after returning to work is that you cannot (and should not) do everything alone.
A strong support network can make the transition smoother and far less isolating. This might include:
🤱 Your partner or co-parent
🤱 Family members
🤱 Trusted childcare providers
🤱 Understanding colleagues
🤱 Other working parents
Being honest about what you need and asking for help is not a weakness — it’s a strength. Support allows you to show up more fully in both your work and your parenting role.
Even small forms of support, like someone helping with childcare pick-ups or simply listening on a tough day, can make a huge difference to your mental wellbeing.
Our Final Thoughts
Returning to work after maternity leave is a huge adjustment, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel easy at first. There will be emotional days, messy mornings, and moments of doubt — and that doesn’t mean you’re failing.
You’re learning how to balance two important parts of your life: your career and your family.
Give yourself permission to adapt, grow, and find a routine that works for your unique situation. Every family’s balance looks different, and there is no single “right way” to navigate this transition.
Most importantly, remember this:
You are not just “going back to work.”
You are stepping into a new chapter of parenthood — and you’re doing an incredible job, even on the days that feel hardest.
