Top tips for returning to work after children

You’ve changed into clean, neat clothes. You’re leaving the house. You’re talking to adults all day. Congratulations, you’re returning to work after welcoming a child to your family!

Whether it’s your first child, or your last, there are several ways to make the transition as easy as possible. Here are a few of our favourites.

Returning to work after children

• It's important to think about recognising, and explaining, your new time management and logistical skills (known as motherhood). Then communicating to your employer how they enhance what you do for them. Be proud of your successes.
• Subscribe to an industry blog. It makes the transition back into work easier when you’ve spent some time catching up on the issues your colleagues will be working on.
• Be clear about the flexibility you need. And what you can offer in return. If you’re looking for new work then don’t be shy to raise the issue at interview.
• Try to go back to work on a Wednesday/Thursday or a week with a holiday. The routine you’ve developed in your new family life needs to be considered alongside working time. Give yourself a break and make your first week back one with time to rest and adjust.
• Update your professional social media profiles. LinkedIn is a great tool to gently reintroduce yourself to the working world. Whether you’re returning to your former role, or looking for something new, an update reminds people of what you’ve been up to. Take the chance to say hello before you potentially see them in the office!

Best ways of working after children

This is the last of this month’s articles exploring leave (link to rights article) and working time laws (link to flexible working article) in the workplace. We’ve learned it’s not always easy to immediately get the balance right when returning to work but knowing your rights can help. The current rules state parents of young children have the right to request a range of options for flexible working. And access to Government subsidies for childcare (insert link to childcare article).  Take all the help available to you, parenting is hard work!

It’s not unusual to feel daunted by returning to work after children but you’ve added a whole new range of skills to your repertoire. I mean, you got out of the house without porridge on your jacket, right? You win!

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