Returning to work after spending months of precious time with your little ones is like going to that doctor's appointment you have been dreading. Just because you knew it was going to happen sooner or later does not make it any easier. Luckily, we are in control of our lives and can make our own priorities. 

While our schedule might get a little more complex, don’t forget we are in the driver's seat. 

Take a deep breath mom, we can handle this.

The First Step

As a working mom, it’s normal to worry about everything under the sun going wrong, especially when we are heading back to work. “Who will watch my child and will they do a sufficient job?” and “Will I miss a special moment because I’m stuck at the office?” are some of the thoughts running through our heads. Choosing the right daycare or nanny can be difficult yet so crucial to managing our stress. Ensuring that your child is in the right hands instills confidence when we head out that door on that first day back. Here are some key questions I asked myself that helped me when selecting childcare:

• Is this a friendly and safe environment?
• Can I afford the cost?
• Does their schedule correspond to mine?

Starting this journey with our family sooner rather than later may be one of the smartest decisions as there is no perfect situation. You will run into roadblocks and find strengths and weaknesses within every option. What's important is that we find an option that aligns with our family's priorities. Downloading a free app such as Care, for example, can help cut out some of the unneeded headaches. It takes five easy minutes to post your babysitting schedule and in addition, everybody that applies for the position already has a background check as well as a clear description of their experience and qualifications. Thereby, eliminating unneeded stressors and allowing you to focus on returning to your job. 

The Transformation

Transitioning our lives back to being working moms can be the hardest step of them all as it is a complete lifestyle change. The needs of being a parent are still there yet we must take on the additional responsibility of working 40 plus hours. Try incorporating some of my helpful steps beforehand to set the seal on being the most successful mom at home and at work. 

Balancing yourself in and out of the office mentally can be the backbone to staying sane during this adventurous period. While your list of responsibilities may seem never-ending, you still need to make time for yourself. Self-care is a way to mentally decompress, even if that looks like a 30-minute bubble bath. Or, if your parents offer to take the kids for the night, say yes and do something fun that you don’t usually get the chance to do! Celebrate the little victories of a successful day at work because you deserve it, mom. 

Returning to work gives you the excuse to shop and have a “treat yourself” moment.  If you work in an office, try buying yourself a new outfit that makes you feel like the confident and beautiful woman you are. After all, looking good leads you to feeling positive which is what we are after here, right? You can also take the route of buying yourself some new creature comforts to establish a refreshing feel to your workspace. Add things to your office that makes you feel at ease, like your favorite potted plant or an essential oil diffuser to help create a calm but lively sanctuary. New accessories to your outfit can also leave you feeling revitalized. Blue light glasses, for instance, are one of the many ways you can acquire this feeling as they’re designed to not only compliment your workplace fit but also prevent headaches that commonly arise due to excessive screen time on your computer and other digital devices. Regardless of whether you work part-time or full-time, wearing glasses that protect from blue light can be an effective way to combat eye discomfort, fatigue, and other health concerns that naturally occur on those screen-heavy days when you're on the clock. In turn, your eyes will be left feeling rejuvenated and ready to go come time to clock out and take on the responsibilities of being a mother. 

The Balance

Finding balance— this may seem obvious, but moms still struggle with this, believe it or not. During the first few weeks back at work, you tend to focus on finding your footing again and catching up on all the work you left behind, which is totally okay! It’s easy to find yourself buried with too much work and not enough time. 

Already having established your priorities travels further than simply choosing the right childcare. It can also take the shape of saying no to working extra hours so you also have time for being a mom. Although it is important to focus on your career goals, it’s also essential to have time for enjoying all the beautiful moments that come with being a mother. To counter this, take advantage of working from home if your job offers this. Especially during these strange times we are living through, remote work is becoming more and more popular. If your job does not offer this yet, sit down and have a conversation with your boss about it to see if this is an option you can explore together. Even working just one day from home can free up some time in your schedule and make it easier for you to find the balance you so deserve.

One thing is for sure, going back to work will make every second you have as a mother more precious. Between balancing a healthy work-life schedule, to being there for those big moments as a parent, it can seem overwhelming at first but not impossible. Remember, you are so much more capable than you think! Before you know it, you will be back in the swing of things on the job like the amazing working mom you are!