The juggling act
Swapping nappy bag for briefcase and returning to work may
be one of the hardest times in a mother's life. As a working
mum with two young girls, Samantha Ferreira is only too aware that
the transition can be a very daunting experience. She shares her
tips for reducing the stress.
For many mothers, especially in light of the current economic
climate, with living costs continuing to rise, returning to work is
an unavoidable reality. The timing of that return is unique to each
family's situation, but the challenges of changing roles are
universal. Sharon Thompson, Director of The Cutting Room and mum of
two, found she was back at work a week after giving birth to her
youngest daughter. "I came into work a week after my daughter was
born to sort out invoicing, the payroll, and to makesure things
were running smoothly. We have staff relying on us, and we cannot
let them down."
Issues that concern many of the mothers I talk to on their return
to work
include how they will cope with changes at work, how to balance
work and home life, dealing with the opinions of others regarding
their decision to go back to work, and coming home at the end of
the day and switching roles from professional woman into "mum
mode". "Work doesn't stop once I get home," comments Michelle Tili,
teacher and mum of two preschoolers. "It's straight into mum mode -
preparing dinner, organising the kids, breastfeeding my youngest,
preparing the next day's lesson plan for school… The list goes
on."
Just as planning is an essential part of any job outside the
home, a little time spent on domestic organisation will help
enhance the work/life balance. Here are some strategies that may
help your household as you resume your
nine-to-five.
Childcare
Does your workplace have a childcare
facility? Will you rely on family members for childcare, or perhaps
hire a nanny? There are many options available toparents, but it is
important that you have done your research, made your decision, and
put your childcare arrangements firmly in place before you go back
to work. Many childcare facilities have waiting lists - some a year
long (or longer!). Find one that complements your family values and
parenting practices, and put your child's name down soon after they
are born.
If you choose daycare, ensure your child spends some time within
the new environment a few months before you go to work. Drop in to
the centre during the day. This will give you a good idea of how
the centre is managed, and time to observe the interaction between
children and carers. Children should be engaged in activities and
happy with the caregivers. Take a look at the centre's policies and
procedure folder, which every centre is required by law to
have.
Breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding, the timing of your return to work needs
extra focus, so you can ready yourself with expressing, or dropping
breastfeeds for formula feeds. This is very important so as to
prevent mastitis. New employment laws require all workplaces to
have breastfeeding-friendly facilities.
Partners or caregivers may be able to bring your baby in to work
for some feeds. Many mothers choose to breastfeed before leaving
for work in the morning, and then feed before bedtime at night. If
breastfeeding is not an option, ensure baby is used to formula well
before you go back to work. I suggest offering a bottle of
expressed breastmilk or formula to your baby once a day from an
early age, to develop their familiarity with
bottle-feeding.
Quality vs quantity
If you work part-time, you may like to organise some activities
that you can
take your baby or toddler to when you are not working. There are
many options for mid-week activities, from swimming classes to
coffee groups, and with the increase in mothers returning to work,
some activities now also run during the weekend. It's a matter of
finding something in your area that will fit in with your
schedule.
The amount of time you spend with your baby, although important,
is not essential in maintaining your close bond. Rather, it is what
you do with that time that matters. Simple things, like going for a
walk, a picnic in the park, colouring in, or just playing together,
will help your child feel secure and loved.
As mothers, we only want the best for our families. Finding the
balance between work and home is paramount to successful family
dynamics.
In all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, remember to take
time out for yourself - your well-being depends on this. Even if
you can only find a couple of spare hours each week, do something
that's just for you - your mind, body, and family will thank you
for it.
* Set your alarm clock so
that you wake up with plenty of time to organise yourself for work
in the morning.
* Organise your work attire, the children's clothes and/or
the baby bag the night before.
* Prepare lunches and lay out the breakfast dishes at night,
to save precious time in the morning.
* A weekly timetable or schedule is a great way of planning
the week in advance.
* School and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups, after-school
activities, grocery shopping, and appointments can all be written
in and referenced by the whole family.
* Meal planning is essential. Write down all the quick and
nutritious meal ideas that your family enjoy, and organise them
into weekly menus. And remember, a slow-cooker may become your new
best friend.
Samantha Ferreira is a Baby Consultant at Maternal
Touch, offering advice and support for parents with babies and
toddlers. Samantha is a Registered Well Child Health Nurse and
mother to Maria, aged 6 and Stella, aged 3. For more information,
contact Samantha on (09) 416 6480 or visit www.maternaltouch.co.nz
As seen in OHbaby!
magazine Issue 6: 2009
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