https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:33:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2479359 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 02:22:57 +0000 Nutella 2479359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: and I'm glad you felt that way regarding going back. I struggled a lot with my identity during SAHM life. I loved being there with him, but felt the judgment hard and missed making my own $$$$ :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2479357 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 02:21:24 +0000 Nutella 2479357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: thank you for the reminder re: social life. It has been a major focus for us until now because otherwise I would lose my mind...but even now can see how it will totally have to give! But that's ok, I struggled with the balance anyway so I'm happy to dial it back!</p> <p>@regberadaisy: @pwnstar: thanks ladies! Will be giving these a go for sure :happy: </p> <p>@looch: these are awesome tips! I don't think I've ever organised my outfits that far ahead but can see how I'll need to! I totally nearly cried today when we were doing a trial run of me going away, he didn't even bat an eye but I was struggling! Thanks for your input though - this all helps!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2478474 Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:54:59 +0000 pwnstar 2478474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try to streamline and plan ahead as much as possible (like laundry, groceries, meals, snacks for the car, etc., for the week), and then cut yourself a ton of slack. Load up everything you can at night. Rest at night when you can, and just ease back into it. And the best drop off plan (at least in the beginning) is a quick hug and kiss, and saying mama will pick you up this afternoon, and then leave. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2478462 Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:40:19 +0000 gingerbebe 2478462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Nutella: DS gets home at 5pm and his bedtime is 730pm. He's not really cranky-tired often because he naps okay at daycare but sometimes he's grouchy because he's hungry. So we eat dinner, then we play together for an hour, then he has Daddy time in the bath at 630pm. DH does books and blocks in DS' room together and then we all usually cuddle and read books together for a few minutes before DH puts him down for the night. </p> <p>There's one night a week that I'm solo, and that's when there's probably some screen time and I leave all the chores until after DS is in bed. DS is only 18 months so he needs a bit more supervision at the moment (climbing phase), but he's pretty decent at independent play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2478046 Mon, 29 Feb 2016 07:53:46 +0000 looch 2478046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work after being home for 2 years as well, and basically, what I've learned is this:</p> <p>Get your clothes ready for the week. Have at least 5 outfits that are hung together and ready to go so you literally do not have to think or look in the morning. I also put my son's stuff together for my mom, she gets him dressed and to school now, so whatever she needs, I pack in a bag on Sunday night.</p> <p>Pack your bags at night and put them in the car (with the exception of food, obviously).You're less likely to forget something and you don't have to be a pack mule. I also keep a small laundry basket in the car, it's easier to carry that in and out rather than dealing with a ton of small bags.</p> <p>We eat dinner twice a week at my parent's home. It was part of the "family agreement" when I couldn't decide if I should return to work or not and seriously, it's a life saver that I only need to think about dinner twice a week (friday is pizza night and we have it delivered).</p> <p>Expect an adjustment period. It took three months for my son to get settled into his routine at his new daycare. I cried, he cried, we got through it and then, there was an other wrench in the plan and we had to start the process all over again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2478037 Mon, 29 Feb 2016 07:47:41 +0000 regberadaisy 2478037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>^ great tips.<br /> Do as much the night before as possible. Prep lunches, have breakfast ready to go. The first week or two back to work I would probably have easy meals, freezer meals, etc.</p> <p>And lastly, the support of DH! He needs to know this will be a big transition for *everyone* in the family and help out more if he doesn't already. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2478034 Mon, 29 Feb 2016 07:44:51 +0000 Alba4 2478034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gingerbread has great suggestions.</p> <p>My advice is cut yourself a break. Don't take on too much socially, since your transition back to work will be an adjustment. Plan ahead: prep lunches the night before, pack bags the night before, shower at night, pick out your clothing at night, etc. Mornings can be crazy trying to get out, so the less you have to do the better! Also, take advantage of daycare. I try to get a few errands run or a quick target shop in before I pick up my DS, or grab a quick coffee once in awhile with a friend before pickup.</p> <p>Oh, and always have a snack for LO for the ride home from daycare. DS can be tired from the stimulating day, so having a snack is essential. </p> <p>Good luck!! As much as I liked being home on maternity leave, I loved getting my professional identity back. It's s tough balance, but I love my career (teaching) and get a lot of fulfillment from it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2477984 Mon, 29 Feb 2016 03:50:27 +0000 Nutella 2477984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: wow, thank you for this amazing reply!! You sound super ultra organised!! I've struggled in my past life to get myself to work on time with more than a sandwich for lunch, so I am praying I can improve on this! I like the idea of laying out outfits the night before - I waste SO much time on this in normal daily life! </p> <p>Is your LO crazy tired by the end of the daycare day? Is there any time for a bit of playtime before bed? I suppose bath time is good for that...</p> <p>Thanks for the dinner inspiration also! I sometimes feel like I need to be constantly cooking or food shopping for our household to keep running... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2477960 Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:28:54 +0000 gingerbebe 2477960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a morning person and I need to have at least a good hour every night to zone out and unwind (introvert over here), so I generally sprint around like a mad woman from the moment I get home until DS' bedtime so that I have some time before bed to relax. </p> <p>1. I have stuff that I can quickly heat and give DS for dinner as soon as we walk in the door. Even if that means he eats something different from DH and I, it helps me just to know I can put a balanced meal on the table for him in under 5 minutes flat. I keep cooked rice and pasta in the fridge and frozen veggies, organic meatballs and sausages, nuggets, raviolis, potstickers, etc. on hand that can be quickly nuked and plated. I also make sure we have plenty of yogurt and fresh fruit in the house.</p> <p>2. DH takes care of bath and bedtime routine for DS so I have from 630pm to 730pm to get my act together for the next day. I clean up from dinner and set up coffee and wash our commuter mugs for the AM. Then I prep DS' breakfast for the morning (i.e. fill a sippy with milk, cut up some sausage and pancake on a plate, etc). Our daycare provides snacks and lunch, so I don't have to prep that, but if I did, this is when I would do it. I also pack lunches for DH. Then I lay out DS' outfit for the next day and pack the daycare bag and put it in the car. I also make sure there's a sippy of water and some dry snacks in the car (rice cakes, snack catcher of cereal, etc). Then I will throw in a load of laundry if necessary. </p> <p>3. After DS is in bed for the night, I run the dishwasher and fold any laundry that needs to be put away. I shower at night as well and pick out my outfit for the next day. I mostly wear black to keep it simple.</p> <p>4. I tend to cook tomorrow's dinner after DS is in bed for the night and reheat it the next day, instead of trying to cook something fresh each night. I aim to cook 3x a week and plan on takeout one night, leftovers another night, and try to cook meals that can do double duty. So for instance last week I made shredded beef in the crockpot for Italian beef sandwiches, but made extra beef. And today I made sticky chicken in the crockpot and put it in the fridge to reheat for dinner tomorrow night. I'll serve the chicken with rice that's already cooked in my rice cooker and some bok choy that I will quickly wilt in a pan with the sauce from the chicken. On Tuesday, I will take some leftover shredded beef and leftover rice and throw it in a tortilla with some beans, avocado, and salsa for burritos. We'll probably have enough sticky chicken to have again for dinner later in the week and for my 3rd meal, I'll probably boil some pasta to use up the open jar of spaghetti sauce in the fridge and add in some frozen meatballs.</p> <p>5. DH takes DS for park dates on the weekends so I have an hour or two to relax or run errands. This is usually when I grocery shop. I shop based on my menu plan, plus whatever fresh things and snacks I know we'll need for the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-any-tips#post-2477918 Sun, 28 Feb 2016 22:43:40 +0000 Nutella 2477918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all, I will be returning to work after being at home with LO for two years. Anyone have any tips for making the transition smooth as possible? </p> <p>My LO seems to love the centre so far, runs off &amp; plays the moment we arrive...though the 'transition week' is only just beginning so who knows if that will change once I start leaving. He's always pretty ok with me leaving him with family etc. I think my work will likely be full time, unless I can negotiate a four day week. One day he will be with my mum - so four days in daycare in total, but maybe three if I can wrangle PT.</p> <p>Appreciate any small tips that anyone has to ease this new phase! I'm excited to head back and get some adult time again, but of course sad I have less time to hang with my little guy!! </p> <p>Thanks in advance! </p>