We all understand that things like sleep or money might look a little different after we’ve had a baby but, while we never think returning to work will be easy, we do assume that it’ll be at least a little more familiar than the rest of our lives. In reality, though, whether you’re returning to work after a few years or a few months, you may be surprised to find that it’s harder to get back into the swing of things than you ever imagined. This difficulty especially has a habit of making itself known in some surprising ways, the most recurrent of which we’re going to uncover here. 

Keeping up with change

The speed with which all markets are shifting right now means that even three or four months out of the office could leave you significantly behind in terms of operations, consumer needs, and even the people that you’re working with. This can be incredibly difficult, but it’s something that you can prepare for by doing your research. If you work within an organization, for instance, finding out who you do still know, and what they can tell you about any changes, can make a huge difference to your return prep. If you’re in the management team, researching industry changes or even seeking outsourced help from in-the-know experts like the team at WebX360 could prove invaluable, at least until you’re back into the swing of things. That way, you ensure that your outdated outlook doesn’t once need to damage your prospects. 

Understanding new ways of thinking

We all understand that our brains can be muddled during the postpartum period, but evidence also suggests that it can take as much as two years before normal functioning resumes. This is why many mothers report that it takes as long as 8 months after their return to truly feel like they’re producing their best results again. By understanding that you may need a little longer to complete tasks, at least to begin with, or even developing new ways to take notes that makes completion easier for, you make it far more likely that, even if your brain takes a little longer to catch up, you’re still able to impress/meet all of your deadlines. 

No routine is perfect

It’s impossible to understand the hours that are going to work for you and your childcare arrangements until you’re actually working. As such, it’s also essential to prepare for the fact that your planned return-to-work routine might not necessarily work in the long-term, and that’s okay. By keeping an open conversation with your superiors, you should be able to adjust accordingly. In fact, considering that your performance is likely to improve from your doing so, you may even find that your boss makes this suggestion themselves. Either way, remember that routine is fluid when you have a child. Work isn’t going to work unless you accept that. 

Returning to work is always a juggling act, but if you prepare for these often surprising elements, you should find it a whole lot easier to manage!