Nothing can prepare you for the reality of being a mum and having a job too. Sam Willoughby of www.mumandworking.co.uk shares her tips for creating workable solutions.
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Being a mother and holding down a job is a daunting task. So how can you make sure that it works for you?
Most mums struggle through the first months when they go back to work until they settle into their new routine, role and childcare. Often the biggest hurdle is one of confidence as having a long spell of maternity leave can make you feel out of the loop. Also physically you have changed and you’re often tired from all the disturbed nights.
We have some tips from Mumandworking.co.uk to help you through this difficult time of going back to work after becoming a mum.
Before you return
- Meet up with a colleague if you can for lunch, get up to date with changes, news and of course gossip!
- Arrange a meeting with your manager well before you return to discuss any changes to your role, working days/hours and any changes to your immediate team and the company since your left.
- Check out your employer's policy on childcare vouchers and make sure you claim for any entitlement such as tax credits.
- Boost your confidence by treating yourself to a pedicure, facial or manicure - whatever will make you feel great.
- Always have a full dress rehearsal including getting up at the right time, using the childcare you’ve put in place and even travelling to work.
When you go back
- Think of going back after maternity leave as starting a new job so do your best to walk tall, network and dress to impress.
- Treat your work clothes as a uniform so just wear them for work and change when you get home. This will ensure they don't get messy and it will help you switch from one role to the other.
- Remember you are not alone, there will be many other Mums in your company that have gone through exactly the same thing. Remind yourself why you are doing this, to benefit your whole family.
- Make sure you still find some me-time for yourself. The temptation is to spend all your time when not at work caring for your family but you still need a treat that’s just for you every now and again, even something as simple as long soak in the bath with a good book. Quiet time is essential to help you to recharge.
What if it isn’t working?
Try to pinpoint the cause of the problem. If it’s your hours or your role, talk to your manager or HR department about your options as soon as you can. Leaving it until things have become too stressful is counter-productive. If it’s your childcare that is the problem, look at alternatives such as childminders, nursery; or could family help? Or do you just need to give it some time? Talk to friends that are going through the same thing to find out how they feel and how they cope.
It may be that you need to think about a bigger solution. This might be the time to make a career change to give you that flexible, family-friendly job.
It’s quite fun and liberating and can be very revealing if you think about what you would ideally like to do and why. Then you can think about how you can achieve that dream. It may not be as out of reach as it seems. Here are a few options:
- Could you retrain either at your current employer or become a part-time student?
- If you have a business idea could you start the ball rolling while still being employed to ease the financial strain? There is a recently recognised sub-set of new businesses operating known as ‘5 to 9ers’, that’s business run from 5pm to 9am whilst holding down another job.
- Could a direct sales job or an established franchise give you what you need? Visit Mumandworking.co.uk for more ideas
Now is the time to seek out lots of advice and then narrow down your options. Use the internet to research, and talk through with any family or friends especially those that have made similar changes to their working lives. Discuss with your partner so they understand what you are going through and why you want to make a change, their support will be invaluable during this time.
For many women, changing their career because of family commitments, and creating a new, more flexible and fulfilling life can be the best thing they have ever done and they never look back.
