Beginner's Guide to Going Back to Work After Maternity Leave

Video Transcript

DR. CORAL ARVON: Hi, my name is Dr. Coral Arvon. I'm a licensed clinical psychotherapist with Arvon and Associates in Counseling in Aventura, Florida. In this clip, we're going to talk about how to go back to work after maternity leave. This is quite a stressful time. We've just have a little time alone with our precious baby, and now we have to return to the workplace. What to do? First, you need to make sure that you have good quality help, and you want to hire a help and be with them the first few weeks, so they can see you ways and you can see theirs. Secondly, when you go back to work, work half a day. You don't need to go back full time. Sometimes, you can come back during the day for lunch just to be with your baby. Talk to your boss. See if he has any ideas of how you can gently work your way back in. Ask your family for support. This is a very difficult time but you can do it, very important to call home. You can even get cameras nowadays to see your baby while you're at your desk and I think this is pretty acceptable. It is a difficult time. You want to probably be home with your baby, but it's also good for you to have your own professional career or your time at work. When you come home leave work behind. Be with your baby. Enjoy yourself and prepare for the next day when you go back to work again. So the five things to remember about going back to work after maternity leave are: number one, make sure you have good care for your children; number two, work half days; number three, go home for lunch and see what's going on and be with your baby; number four, always remember to prepare your breast milk or your bottles the night before; and number five, you need a professional career. You need a life. It makes you a better, happier mother.