The thought of sending my little one to daycare haunted me ever since I first held him in my arms at the hospital. I knew it was coming, but I chose to ignore it. We had explored different centers during my pregnancy, weighed the pros and cons, and made a calculated decision on our top choice. I treated it like a task on my to-do list and then avoided thinking about it altogether. During my maternity leave, any mention of going back to work or who would care for my son sent me into a tailspin—I was deep in denial about this significant change.
The night before my return to work, my fellow moms rallied around me with encouraging texts and messages on social media. “You can do this, mama!” and “It gets easier!” they said. While I appreciated their kind words, I couldn’t fully believe them. I was still angry, grappling with the loss of precious time with my baby, and couldn’t process their reassurances. If I could speak to my past self, I would share these eight insights about that first day back at work.
1. You’ll Leave Your Baby with Someone New.
While we met the daycare directors during our tour, I didn’t meet the infant teachers until the morning of drop-off. Handing over my 13-week-old son felt surreal. I usually spend hours preparing my family for babysitting, but that day, I had just a few minutes with a stranger before walking away. It felt so wrong—who lets someone they don’t know take care of their child?
2. Tears Are Inevitable.
I’m not typically an emotional person, yet the moment I stepped out the door without my baby, it hit me like a freight train. The floodgates opened, and I was left sobbing. Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster; it’s going to be messy.
3. Treat Yourself!
You’ve just navigated an incredibly challenging experience. Take a moment for yourself—stop at your favorite coffee shop and indulge. You deserve a little pick-me-up before facing colleagues you haven’t seen in ages.
4. You’ll Be the Center of Attention at Work.
If you thought you could slip back into your routine unnoticed, think again! Expect lots of hellos and questions about your baby and your daycare experience. Be ready to share your story on repeat throughout the day.
5. Expect Questions About Your Return.
Every time someone asks, “Are you back at work?” it’s a sharp reminder of what you’re going through. It may feel overwhelming, but know that you’re not alone in this.
6. Bring a Phone Charger.
You’ll find yourself checking your phone constantly for updates from the daycare. With thousands of pictures of your little one at your fingertips, your battery will drain quickly. Consider limiting distractions by asking family not to text you during the day.
7. Emotions Will Spill Over.
Even the most supportive partners can inadvertently be the target of your pent-up feelings. On that first day, a minor annoyance was all it took for me to lose my cool. If your significant other is around, give them a heads-up—they’re in for a wild ride alongside you.
8. Seeing Your Baby Makes It All Worthwhile.
On my first day back, I rushed to pick up my son early. The moment I saw his beaming smile, all my worries vanished. No matter how tough the day is, that small face will remind you that you can do this.
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Summary:
Returning to work after maternity leave is an emotional journey filled with challenges, from leaving your baby with new caregivers to dealing with the inevitable tears. It’s important to treat yourself, prepare for attention at the office, and find ways to manage your emotions. Ultimately, seeing your child’s joyful face at the end of the day makes the struggle worthwhile.