I dropped my kid off and soon as I got into the car I burst out crying. I was so sad that I had to leave my daughter with someone else. I wasn’t going to work that day. My plan was to drop her off, and make sure I had everything ready for work when I decided to go back the following week. It was a sad day. I still remember feeling out of breath and panicking. I am a consultant, so I was retuning to work on the bench for a few days, which helped big time. Then, I started my new project the following week. It wasn’t the best feeling starting a new project, with new people, as a brand-new mom. No one really knew I had just recovered from a C-section, or dealing with a newborn that had colic, so I always looked tired ha-ha. It also felt weird asking someone I don’t know where the nursing room was. Luckily for me, after asking about the nursing room I found out about another new mom and we were able to bond! So, I decided to share some ways colleagues can offer support for new moms when they return to work.
So, your colleague just returned to work after having a baby and you are super excited! However, have you ever thought about how you could help her transition? If you have never had a child, you may not know what your colleague may be going through or maybe it has been a while and you just forgot! So, to help you help your favorite colleague, let’s start with highlighting everything they may have just experienced during their maternity-leave. Your colleague just had a baby and may have been on bed rest! Yes, it is a physically demanding experience! On top of that, new born babies are also physically demanding! If you are close enough, one way to support your colleague is to check-up on her a few weeks before she returns so she knows that people are still thinking of her! Anything helps to be honest – even food hehehe
So, the weeks go by and there comes a time when she returns to work, accompanied with many emotions. She may be feeling nervous because her newborn is with someone else for the first time. Fear of wondering if anyone will judge her for having to take a break to go pump. Fellow-moms, this is not the time to voice your snobby opinions on breastfeeding and leaving a child with a daycare provider. That is great if you breastfed forever, or were lucky enough to stay home longer, tor only left your child with a grandparent. However, she is overwhelmed and tired enough and your strong-opinions are not needed at this time. She may be feeling nervous, guilty, and tired so a little positivity is much needed! Ask to see a picture of her little one and see how happy she will be!
Most of all, a little understanding is needed! There may be times were she needs some time off to go to doctors appointments and check-ups. We must remember that this is temporary! So please, give her the chance to make these appointments without making her feel bad! It is just a few hours. It is crazy how quickly things change. Like I mentioned earlier, less than a year ago I was devastated when I had to drop my daughter off at daycare. Now, I am comfortable, and I drop her off feeling fine when I drop her off! All of these stages are temporary!
Defined by Her 