Coming back from any gap in your career can feel daunting, but coming back from parental leave can be uniquely challenging. It can feel painful to leave your child for long stretches of the day, but work can also be an integral part of a happy and well-rounded life, as well as being a crucial source of income for yourself and your family.
If you want to ensure that your return to work is successful, you’ll need to plan it out properly. Things may have changed in your industry, and there will almost certainly be differences when returning to your business. You should take time to get reacclimatised and ensure you have all the tools and resources needed for success.
Make Sure You’re on the Right Path
Parenthood makes huge and permanent changes to our lives, and the career you had before may not be the one you want any longer. It is a good idea to consider how your goals and priorities have changed since becoming a parent. It’s possible you want less stress or fewer hours, or maybe you want to spend more time at home and less time commuting or travelling.
Maybe you can negotiate a more flexible working pattern with your current employer, however you need to be aware that being at home with a young baby does not necessarily mean that you will be able to work a full 8 hours at a desk.
You may also find that your interests and aspirations take you on new and unexpected paths, so you should be open to any new opportunities that come your way.
Use Your Network
When it’s time to enter back into the working world, your professional network can be invaluable. This is particularly beneficial for anyone who took an extended period of time to be a stay-at-home parent. When you’re ready to get back into work, consider catching up with some of your contacts to find out if they have any roles or advice on navigating the current working market.
Develop Your Leadership Skills
After any career gap, you may feel behind in your advancement. This is normal, so finding ways to help you get your career where you want it to be is important. Taking high-impact leadership training can be an excellent way to help you move forward and catch up with any lost ground from parental leave. There are plenty of leadership courses available to help you feel more confident entering the workplace again.
Let Yourself Feel Your Emotions
Going back to work means sacrificing time with your child. Being back at work can be incredibly beneficial for you and your family, but it is okay to feel conflicted or upset about the change. You should acknowledge and accept these feelings and not allow them to colour or control your decision to return to work.
Make sure that you let yourself get really comfortable with your childcare solution – ideally you should feel that your child’s life is also being enriched by spending some time outside the home, or with a different carer.
Remind yourself of the pros as well as the cons of every decision. Don’t forget too, that if you find that the job you return to is not suiting your new life as a parent, then you are allowed to re-evaluate and make a change.
Be Present With Your Child
Being a working parent is challenging, and balancing the different parts of your life can be hard. It is crucial that you don’t allow work concerns to interfere with the time you do have with your child, as the early years are vital for bonding and building your parent-child relationship. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and being present and engaged when you do spend time with your child is important.
Final Thoughts
Returning from parental leave can be daunting, but it is crucial to be prepared so that you can continue with your career. It can take time to adjust, so remember to give yourself slack and make the right choices to help your career flourish and grow. While you may feel behind, it is important to remember that you can, and will, catch up.
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