How to Return to Work After Parental Leave

Returning to work after parental leave can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. It will take time to get yourself fully prepared, emotionally, mentally and physically. You’ve got the skills to handle it all but this guide is designed to help new parents navigate the many multifaceted pieces of the journey — from preparing for your return to work to communicating with your employer and reintegrating into the workplace, to balancing work and family life, prioritizing self-care, leveraging support systems, and handling emotional challenges. By following these steps, you can confidently transition back into your professional role while maintaining a fulfilling family life.

Preparing for Your Return to Work

Before your parental leave ends, take the time to prepare for your grand return to work. The right time to do this all is entirely your call, but spending a little time in advance can help alleviate some of the stress of the return itself.

• Revisit your role. Just like you’ve changed, it’s not unexpected that things have changed at work, too. Understand any changes in your job responsibilities during your leave by engaging with your manager and team members. It will probably take some time to readjust back into things, so be sure to set realistic expectations for your return.
• Lock down childcare. Secure reliable childcare arrangements and backup plans to ensure a smooth transition back to work. Pro tip: consider a backup to your backup, because if there’s one thing that’s for certain, it’s that nothing with kids is certain. You want to have a general sense about what you’re going to do if your childcare plans don’t go according to plan.
• Prepare emotionally. Don’t be afraid to feel your feels. Address any concerns or emotions related to returning to work, such as anxiety or guilt, by reflecting on your goals and priorities. Give yourself grace; this is a major transition!

Communicating With Your Employer About Upcoming Parental Leave

Maintaining open communication with your employer is key to ensuring a successful return to work. Don’t be pressured to share anything you’re not comfortable with, but know that if you’re honest about this transition, it will be easier for you and your manager to navigate.

• Give a heads-up. Notify your employer about your return date in advance so they have plenty of time to prepare. Just as it took time to prepare to cover your responsibilities, it will take time to transfer them back, too. Informing your manager about your plans gives them the opportunity to begin shifting things internally so that it’s more smooth once you’re back.
• Flex: Discuss the possibility of flexible hours, remote work, or a part-time schedule to help ease your transition back to work — if that’s something that you would find helpful. Even if not, consider your first day back as a Wednesday so that the first week doesn’t feel as overwhelming.
• Set clear expectations. Agree on job responsibilities, goals and performance metrics with your employer and team to ensure alignment. Having everyone on the same page will help make things more seamless.

Reintegrating Into the Workplace After Parental Leave

Easing back into your professional role can be a breeze if you’re prepared. Step into your boss era by familiarizing yourself with the things that transpired while you were out.

• Ch-ch-ch-changes: Get updated on work progress, organizational changes or updates, and new initiatives during your absence. Schedule catch-up meetings with managers and direct reports to make sure that you’re in the know.
• Reconnect with your people. Strengthen your work family by making time to connect with colleagues and build relationships with new faces on the team. Pro tip: There are some who are just not baby people, and that’s ok. There are others that will happily scroll through 46 of the same pic on your phone — these people will find you.
• Manage your workload. Prioritize tasks effectively and set realistic goals to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Don’t get sucked into saying yes to everything now that you’re back.
• Stay up-to-date. Familiarize yourself with new tools, processes, technological advancements or improvements implemented during your leave. Don’t be afraid to ask for help learning these new systems because they will be helpful for your back-to-work success.

Balancing Work and Family Life as a New Parent

Successfully managing your time between work and family is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Did someone say work-life balance? Ah yes, it is possible. Read on …

• Establish clear boundaries. Define working hours, commit to family time, and unplug from work when at home. Setting limits can help you be present when you’re at home and at work so that you can find the balance between both roles.
• Focus on the big stuff. Prioritize the most important tasks both at work and at home to maximize efficiency. You can’t do it all, so getting crystal clear on what’s important can help you zero in on how to spend your time.
• Prioritize quality time. Make every moment count by engaging in meaningful activities and creating lasting moments with the family. Sometimes the simplest thing, like cooking a meal together, can become a core memory.

Self-Care and Well-Being as a New Parent

Remember, taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for maintaining overall wellness and keeping your mind and body in tip-top shape.

• Let’s get physical: Incorporate exercise into your daily routine, fuel up with a balanced diet, and get adequate sleep. So easy, right? Start slow by setting an easy goal, like a five-minute walk every day or eating fruit at breakfast every morning or shutting down the doom scroll on your phone at 9 p.m. Once you’ve been able to achieve that, you’ll start creating atomic habits that are much more manageable in your day-to-day.
• Mental health: Practice stress management techniques such as mindfulness and meditation. It sounds so cheesy, but some deep breaths can actually go a long way. And there’s absolutely no shame in seeking professional help. Recognizing that you need more support is one of the most selfless things you can do.
• Me-time: Be sure to carve out time for yourself in your busy schedule. Hobbies, activities and other things that contribute to your personal growth are important self-care strategies. You deserve it!

Leveraging Support Systems for Work-Life Balance

Utilize various resources and networks to help you navigate the challenges of balancing work and family life. It really does take a village!

• Workplace perks: Take advantage of employee assistance programs or other resources provided by your employer, such as counseling or stress management workshops. Organizations often offer other wellness programs such as gym memberships or discounts, back-up childcare, coaching stipends, etc.
• Family, friends, and the pros: Lean on your loved ones for support. Often people want to help and are simply waiting to be asked! Consider enlisting the help of others outside your circle, such as babysitters, house cleaners, meal delivery services, etc., to alleviate the general daily stress. You aren’t expected to do it all.
• Connect with others: Join local parenting groups or online forums to share experiences, advice, and support with others going through similar situations. The #iwishihadthis database has tons of ways to help. Parent meetups or chats can prove to be a trove of resources for supporting this transition. Plus it’s just really nice to know that you’re not alone.

Handling Emotional Challenges After Parental Leave

There are so many emotional hurdles that come with transitioning back to work. Finding ways to reduce the tension is essential for a successful transition back to work.

• Manage separation anxiety. Develop coping strategies to deal with the emotions that come with leaving your child every day. Try establishing and maintaining a consistent goodbye routine, and try staying in touch throughout the day. Having these touchpoints can help build your resilience.
• The guilt of it all: Acknowledge and address feelings of guilt by reflecting on your why: the reason you’re returning to work and the benefits it provides for you and your family. Your why is important for you. Remember that your happiness and personal growth contribute to a healthy and positive family environment and have important implications at your organization.

Mastering the art of balancing work and family life after parental leave is a journey that requires careful preparation, open communication, and strategic planning. By tacking the challenges head-on, leveraging available support systems, and prioritizing self-care, you’ll be well on your way to success in both your personal and professional lives. Remember, you’ve got this! Embrace the adventure, celebrate the wins, and know that every day brings new opportunities for growth, connection and joy.