Tips for working mums
When you are planning to return to work, it is essential to spend time and find the best quality childcare that will meet your own personal circumstances. This maybe a relative, a day nursery, childminder, nanny. There are many options and maybe you will be choosing a mix.
Never too soon to start researching childcare
It really is never to early to start looking for childcare. It may feel a little strange but checking out childcare even if you have only just discovered you are expecting a baby – is really not too soon. Many of the best day nurseries have long waiting lists.
Be fussy and thorough in your research. Do not be bamboozled into accepting compromises that you feel uncomfortable with.
Location and flexibility
The location of your childcare is something that you need to consider very carefully. Should it based near where you live or where you work?
Build in a generous amount of time for commuting and be realistic about the time you can leave work on a day to day basis.
What time is your childcare available? If it is a nursery which opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm these times may not be ideal. But if the nursery is perfect in other ways it may be worth looking for someone you can call on to help with pick-ups and drop offs.
What you want to avoid is your chosen high quality childcare being neutralised by you arriving home exhausted after a long day at work, followed by a stressful time dependent commute.
Whatever your circumstances invest in yourself
Babies are flexible and robust and as long as their needs are met they will be happy. One of the child’s primary needs is of a mum who is happy and contented, whether she is out at work all day, everyday, or a stay at home mother.
This is the reason why it is so important that whatever your personal circumstances you “invest” in yourself. If you are a stay at home mum, this may mean making more friends, doing a night class, or even just having a bit of me time.
Don’t be frightened to delegate
If you are a working mum, it may mean delegating more, compromising on your short term career goals, or just taking a days leave to recharge the batteries while baby is at the childminder or nursery, without you feeling guilty.
Appreciate what you have
For most of us, life is not perfect all the time. But it is by appreciating what we have, not what we haven’t got going on in our lives, that will help us make the most of our personal and ever changing circumstances.
