{"id":2000,"date":"2020-08-16T20:35:42","date_gmt":"2020-08-16T20:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/backtoworkconnect.ie\/?p=2000"},"modified":"2024-11-22T17:10:48","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T17:10:48","slug":"baby-bubble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backtoworkconnect.ie\/careerhub\/baby-bubble\/","title":{"rendered":"Why it\u2019s OK to Love Your Job But Hate Going Back to Work After Having a Baby"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Even if you are working in your DREAM job, going back to work after having a baby can be (and almost always is) a super difficult adjustment period. Michelle McSweeney of Return Ready – The Movement<\/a>, explains why it is perfectly natural and ABSOLUTELY ok to feel a slight touch of ‘the fear’ when getting back into the workplace after having a baby.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, when are you heading back to work?\u201d<\/em> I wonder if women on maternity leave are asked this question as often as taxi drivers are asked if they\u2019re busy tonight?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Probably. And sure, for the most part, people are generally just making conversation, but when you\u2019ve just had a baby, the end of maternity leave is probably the furthest thing from your mind. Something that you don\u2019t need to think about or deal with for what feels like an eternity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, sure enough, time goes by in the blink of an eye. This little bubble that you\u2019ve become so accustomed to living in is about to burst. The reality of having to juggle motherhood and work is nigh, leaving mum guilt coursing through your veins.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A ball of emotions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So. Many. Thoughts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inner turmoil to beat the band. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not about hating your job. Of course, being in a job that you dread going into every day is going to be a thousand times harder to go back to than one that you love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s ok to love your job and still hate going back to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, why do so many of us feel guilty about admitting that we\u2019re not really ready to go back to work after having a baby? Because it sounds like we\u2019re unhappy in our job, or that we\u2019re not ambitious, or, worst of all, that we\u2019re being greedy for wishing we could take even more time \u201coff\u201d! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a BIG DEAL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s really not as simple as sitting back in your office chair and picking up right where you left off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s leaving your baby with someone else, when you\u2019ve maybe only spent a couple of hours away from them up until that point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering how you\u2019re going to deal with night wakings, while still being in top form for that 9am meeting with your boss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questioning whether or not you\u2019ll remember how to do your job, when your brain has been consumed with nappies and spit up for months on end? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering how much the baby is eating and napping while you\u2019re at work\u2026.what if they knock their head on the ground when they\u2019re crawling? What if they forget that you\u2019re their mother?! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your whole world has been turned upside down in such a short amount of time \u2013 you\u2019ve taken on a brand new role, and guess what…the hours are far more than just 40 per week! So, slotting back into a role that the \u2018old you\u2019 might have been able to do in your sleep, is understandably going to take a little time to adjust to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The worst part of anything is thinking about it…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone says the anticipation is worse than the reality when it comes to going back to work after maternity leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s going to be a huge adjustment. There\u2019s no doubt about it – one that you\u2019ve never had to deal with before. Then again, so is having a baby. From the moment you find out you\u2019re pregnant, you\u2019re constantly using resources to prepare for what lies ahead \u2013 labour, feeding, sleeping, weaning \u2013 the list goes on.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why shouldn\u2019t it be the same for returning to work after maternity leave? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of feeling like we need to just get on with it, all while carrying the weight of a countdown clock on our shoulders\u2026 Why don\u2019t we just admit that we\u2019re feeling anxious about returning to the workplace? And use all of the resources that are available to us to feel better equipped and more confident about entering this new chapter? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can’t pour from an empty cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Be honest. Ask for help. Pull from all of the resources available to you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n