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Returning to work after maternity leave - one month milestone

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Tuesday, 7 August 2012

Returning to work after maternity leave - one month milestone


After twelve months maternity leave I’ve been back at work for a little over a month.

It’s been challenging. I have written before about my reluctance to return to work.

I’ve experienced a range of emotions from nausea and frustration to gentle excitement.

Initially, I struggled to settle back into routine and also to find new ways to challenge myself in a role I have been in for some time.

I’m pleased to say I have developed a work plan I am happy with and one that will challenge me. It’s good to use words like community engagement, sector development, strategic planning, methodology and asset mapping again.

It makes me realise that my professional life is an important part of me and that I have hard earned skills that I want to utilise to the betterment of my community.

This adjustment has been made easier by the fact that I am now working part time and that my little boy has adjusted well to his new care arrangement. He has not exhibited any real signs of separation anxiety which is a huge relief to his mother’s heart.

 Walking along the street at lunch time without pram and nappy bag in hand also makes me feel a little like my old spontaneous self, even if I am checking my phone for updates on the Squishy!

 It would appear I have found a balance and I quite like it.

Labels: ,

posted by Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye @ 11:43   32 Comments

32 Comments:

At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Anonymous Kate said...

Oh Bree, I know I'm going to struggle with this! I'm planning on going back in January on a part time basis. I'm missing working at the moment HEAPS! I don't know if its the challenge of work or the adult interaction. I'll miss the bubba like hell when I do go back though... I can't think about it just yet :)

Loving IBOT

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Kate Sins said...

Congratulations! Finding your balance is difficult. I missed working while I was on maternity leave but it was a struggle to go back to the same old job when I did. Sounds like you've been really proactive about making it work for you.

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Anonymous Leanne (Boyz Germs) said...

Hi Bree,
You and I must have returned to work at about the same time. So I know exactly what you're talking about. Glad you have found your balance - I am still tweaking mine, I must say. I am finding work so tiring but as time goes on, I'm sure I'll get used to it.
And yes, it is nice to go out without a nappy bag and actually use 'grown up' words with more than one syllable, isn't it? :)

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Kelly HTandT said...

Well done Bree, it is so hard going back, and when it feels good, we often feel guilty about it. I go back to work next year, its funny how I'm dreading it and looking forward to it at the same time x

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Melissa Jane said...

It is a struggle returning to work and balancing it all out. it was worth it for me though, as i was going stir crazy at home and craved the adult conversation. Well done on finding your groove.

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Anonymous Ai Sakura said...

Aww good to hear that Bree! It really is such a joy when you have a well-balanced work-family life.

Ai @ Sakura Haruka

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Lisa H said...

Oh yay! I'm pleased to hear that 'back to work' is working out for you and your little Squishy. Enjoy the days where you can be Bree, and cherish the days you are mum.

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Lisa said...

Well done on making it through the first month! I'm due to go back to work in February and I'm not sure what I'm going to do and its really nice to read about how its working out so positively for you!!

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger BossyMummy said...

Part time is an excellent option if you can do it isn't it! It gives you the best of both worlds - though sometimes I do find that I seem to be doing a ful time job in my part time hours, so need to learn to say no :)

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

They ruin you for the world! The little buggers wrap their way around your heart and make things complicated. I wish you all the best in finding your own balance Kate. Bree

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I had to be proactive or I don't think I could have continued. So far so good!

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I think we will be forever tweaking Leanne. I think it's the nature of the work life beast. Just when you think you've got it worked out - something changes! Such is life :-)

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I am finding that out and am fortunate it hasn't taken me long. Bree

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Thanks Melissa - it would seem you have found yours too!

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I felt that way too and yes there is always the guilt thing. I wish you the best of luck in finding your own balance Kelly.

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Great advice Lisa :-)

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Some good news stories are certainly helpful. I hope you too can find your own balance, one that works well for you and your family. Cheers Lisa. Bree.

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Part time is a little bit brilliant! And we mummy's will always work full time at home. Raising little bundles of energy and chaos will do that - but it's worth it!

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Francesca @ Francesca Writes Here said...

It's great to hear that you're feeling comfortable now and that everyone is settling into it!

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

How are you going with your return to work Francesca?

 
At Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 , OpenID twolittledotes.com said...

Hi Bree - great to hear you're both settling back ok! I work part time too and find it a good balance, if you consider 3 crazy hair-tearing days and 4 relaxing granny skyping/park visiting/play dating days a good balance :)

 
At Wednesday, 08 August, 2012 , Blogger Jess@Diary of a SAHM said...

Oh I'm glad you're adjusting well and beginning to enjoy it.
Time with a handbag and no children does sound divine...

 
At Wednesday, 08 August, 2012 , Anonymous Lisa Wood said...

Very good to hear you found the balance ~ so good to have that when being a mum!
And paid work outside of the home sounds like a great way to have time out, so lucky that your little one is doing well!

 
At Thursday, 09 August, 2012 , Anonymous Kez said...

Good for you :)
I'm still a stay at homer (can't think past that yet - my brain won't go there)! I used to use those words at work too! You just made me ALMOST miss my old job!

 
At Friday, 10 August, 2012 , Blogger Redcliffe Style said...

It's great that you have found the balance. Rachel x

 
At Friday, 10 August, 2012 , Anonymous Write About Me said...

Great to hear. It can be very difficult. I went back when my baby was 8 months old and you're right going back part-time makes it much easier.

 
At Friday, 10 August, 2012 , Blogger Kylez...aka...MrsP said...

I too went back to work at the beginning of July and found it hard to adjust at first but now I am actually enjoying it (funnily enough I wrote a post about this very thing yesterday!). The transition for Mia has been much easier than I expected too, but I think it helps that she is being minded at home by her Nan and Aunty so it's not too much of a shock to the system. Glad to hear that you guys are adjusting to it well too, it is a big change!

 
At Friday, 10 August, 2012 , Blogger javajane2011 said...

Thats great that you have got the balance right!! Returning to work is a really hard time! But it definitely helps if you are passionate about what you do! How nice is it to have adult conversations again? But the best bits of the day are always when you see you child at the end of the day! Hope it continues to work well for you xcxc

 
At Friday, 10 August, 2012 , Blogger Catherine Rodie Blagg (Cup of Tea and a Blog) said...

Yay for balance. I need some of that!

 
At Friday, 10 August, 2012 , Blogger Grace said...

Well done! And congrats on your first month back! I hear that it's not always so smooth sailing for some.

 
At Friday, 10 August, 2012 , Blogger Cathy said...

Well done! If you've found a balance for yourself and your family, you've done something great! It seems to escape most people.

 
At Saturday, 11 August, 2012 , Blogger Camille said...

Aww, so glad you have found a balance! I'm hoping I can go back to college after our little one gets here, I'm so nervous about it.

 

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