How To Prepare For Going Back To Work After A 3 Years Break

It’s been over three years since I left my job as an email marketer to take on one as a mother. I feel blessed to be able to have spent that time watching Shahzaib grow and become the energetic little boy he is, but deep inside, I missed working and having that interaction with my coworkers. I considered going back to work once Shahzaib turned two, but with the pandemic, I had to adjust my plans as many companies were implementing hiring freezes during that time. Nevertheless, I continued to apply to jobs from time to time, and to my surprise, an opportunity came about just as we were considering putting Shahzaib into preschool. The timing was perfect.

After having taken such a long time off from work, I needed to prepare myself for this new change. There were several things that I did to help the transition go a lot smoother. If you happen to be going through a similar process or are considering going back to work at some point, I hope you find these suggestions valuable.⁠

Consider flexible work options

Try to ease yourself back into work if it’s possible. Consider looking into opportunities that allow you to work as a contractor, part-time, or even temporary work.

Make arrangements for childcare

Whether you plan to enroll your child into daycare, preschool, or have a nanny or babysitter watch them, it is essential that you do your research and make these arrangements beforehand. It will give you peace of mind when you do begin work, knowing that your child is in good hands. If possible, I would also suggest that you get your child familiarized with this new arrangement before you start as it may take a week or two for your child to adjust, in which case you may have to pick them up early until they are getting used to the new environment and schedule.

Get organized

Create a routine or set a daily schedule for yourself so you know what your day will look like, take into consideration your work hours, when you will be doing school/daycare dropoffs and pickups, etc. Having an idea of all the things that need to get done will help it feel more manageable.

Meal plan or other food services

Having a busy schedule with work plus the dropoffs and pickups can leave you with little or no time for cooking. Meal planning in advance can help with the guesswork of what to make the day of. Another option could be to look for a local home-based catering business that you could purchase your meals from if you’re tired from eating out all the time.

Cleaning services

Look into using a cleaning service that helps out with deep cleaning once a month or more frequently if you need it. Otherwise, allocate a day to different of the week to each cleaning chores, so you’re not left doing everything on one day.

Establish a bedtime routine

With such a busy schedule juggling work, motherhood, and all the day-to-day stuff around the house, it is essential you get a full night’s rest. Having a consistent bedtime and nighttime routine will help get your body get the rest it needs so you can be your most productive self.

Mentally preparing for the change

Transitioning back to work is a big adjustment, especially now that you have a child to look after. Realize that every day will not be picture perfect, and there will be times when you will struggle, so getting yourself in the right mindset and setting reasonable expectations is essential. It may not be possible to do it all every day, so you will have to learn to shift your priority daily to get whatever needs to be done, and that’s okay.

At the end of the day, don’t forget that you are doing your very best, and it is okay to ask for help when you need it. You don’t want to push yourself so much that it leads to feeling burnt out.

Sincerely,