The most important thing to adjust is your mindset. You might think it will be like going back to the office after a long holiday but the fact is, your whole life has changed and you will be returning to work as a different person with new priorities.
Eugenia Ng, director of recruitment consultancy Michael Page Singapore, acknowledged that “life as a new mum is far from easy”.
It’s not just about mastering time management but also navigating the uncertainties that come with your baby’s sleep schedule, growth spurts, or sickness – all while juggling your work priorities, ambitions and mental wellness, she said.
“The best advice for any new mum transitioning back to work is to reset your expectations,” said Ng. “This isn’t about compromising but temporarily adjusting your outlook until you and your family adapt to your work schedule and commitments.”
Allowing yourself this grace period can make the transition smoother for everyone involved, she added.
Recognise that it will take some time for you to fall back into a comfortable work routine so don’t expect to be well-adjusted in the first week or even the first month.
You might also need to change the way you work. For example, if you were always working overtime pre-baby, delegate tasks if possible or make to-do lists that boost efficiency so you’ll limit having to stay past office hours.
