5 tips for returning to work

I recently had my first weekend back at work. As you may know if you read my post about returning to work, I was extremely nervous. However I actually had a really wonderful couple of days (and sold a rather expensive ring which made the boss happy!) In a way it felt like I had never left - a perk, I guess, to only taking 7 months maternity leave. However it was also very different - I found myself worrying about Luke throughout the day, I got major baby brain and forgot what I was saying half way through talking to customers and by about 3 o'clock I was starting to flake.
Here are a few tips from me to you other working mummies out there to help your return to work run smoothly.

Get a coffee machine:
Before I was a mummy I didn't drink coffee. Now I live off the stuff (she says while sipping her deliciously strong espresso!) As well as being an essential mummy item, it also came in handy for my first day back at work. I have a Nespresso machine which my wonderful parents got me for my birthday this year. I love it because it makes espressos (the perfect mummy drink - all your caffeine in about 2 sips!) or you have the option to add water and make a full sized coffee! Fab for returning to work as it saves me spending silly amounts on Starbucks and usually making myself late waiting in the queue!

Wear a pair of killer heels:
Obviously I'm not talking 6" platforms, but I find wearing a pair of heels automatically boosts my confidence and makes me feel like I can conquer anything that is thrown at me. Having a little bit of extra confidence will make your return to work that little bit easier.

Buy a new handbag:
It sounds ridiculous, but one of the things I was most excited about on the day I went back to work was taking a handbag! Not a changing bag full of babywipes, bottles and various brightly coloured toys, but my beautiful, shiny, grownup Ted Baker handbag. I felt like the fanciest person in the world strutting through town clutching it! Of course to everyone else I just looked like an ordinary person carrying an ordinary handbag. But to me it felt like I was queen of the world!

Throw your whole self in (This feels like the start of the hokey cokey...):
If you decide as a mummy to return to work, whether full time or part time, my advice to you is to go for it with everything you've got. I have found that when I am at work I need to distance myself from being mummy Laura and throw myself into being work Laura. This way I really enjoy my days at the shop. Ok it helps that I get to spend my time selling diamonds and sparkly stuff (and of course trying all the beautiful jewellery on just to make sure it looks as nice on as it does off is an added bonus!) but I find that if I think about Luke too much, I miss him and it makes me sad which in turn means I don't enjoy my day. So I get on with being work Laura in the knowledge that I will have a whole 5 days of the week to be mummy and get all the cuddles I can to keep me going through those two days without.

Do something you love:
Ok, I am aware that this is not always possible - sometimes you just need something that pays the bills. But as a mummy, its surprisingly hard to leave your little one for a whole day especially when you are used to being with them all the time. If you can go back to doing something you enjoy, it makes leaving your baby for the day a whole lot easier and dare I say it... you might actually enjoy the break.

Those are my tips for going back to work - have you got any words of wisdom to share?

Back to work after maternity leave

Well that went quickly... In two days time I officially go back to work and have to be a proper grownup that doesn't wear pyjamas all day and talks about something other than jumperoos or the contents of my sons nappy. 

I have mixed feelings about my return to work. As I'm only going back 2 days a week, I am still going to have plenty of time with my cheeky little pickle. But when I decided to go back I did naively think he would be sleeping better (obviously this was before I actually had the baby!)

On the one hand I can't wait to be back. I work in a jewellery shop and I LOVE my job. Helping people choose their engagement and wedding rings is one of the most amazing, exciting things and rewarding things to do. (Not to mention sitting in the window trying on all the enormous diamonds -- don't tell my boss!) 

Sadly the thing I think I am looking forward to most is wearing proper grown up clothes that aren't covered in sick/wee/whatever Luke has had for lunch that day - I can't wait to put on a pencil skirt and heels! (I know that sounds so lame but it's the little things in life right?!) 

I am also looking forward to getting part of myself back that has sort of felt like it's been missing while I've been on maternity leave. I put a lot into my job, and although I love spending time with my baby I have really missed feeling as useful and appreciated as I do at work. 

However I am also nervous. Will I still be able to function at work if I've had a grand total of 3 hours sleep the night before? Will I still enjoy my job as much as I did before? And most importantly how will I cope with not seeing my little boy for 2 whole days? The hours I work mean I will often leave before he wakes and come back after bedtime. I have never been more than a few hours without Luke - how am I going to cope with working 2 consecutive days where I don't see him at all? 

Putting my mixture of excitement and doubt aside, I am very blessed with the capacity in which I am able to go back to work. I am lucky enough to only be going back 2 days a week which means I am still able to have plenty of time with Luke. And not only that, thanks to my husband and my darling mother I am able to go to work knowing he is being looked after by people who truly care for him. And for that I am eternally grateful.

So now to get back to the very important tasks at hand - choosing an outfit, picking out a handbag and looking out my much needed travel coffee cup! 

Roll on Friday... Let's do this. 

    New clothes is the reason you go back right?!