Top Habits and Tips: Going back to work after having a baby

As well as the practical concerns connected with returning to work, such as what financial assistance you may be entitled to, how flexible your employer is with time off when you need to stay home with your child who is poorly, etc – you may also be
thinking about how you will manage with spending less time with your child. The
time you do spend with your family can often be filled with lots of time-consuming activities such as cooking dinner, bathing the kids and getting them to bed on time.


1.   Try to introduce routines and delegate responsibilities to all family members old enough to help, this way you can save time and spend it doing something enjoyable with your children, from reading them that bedtime story, through to just having a
cuddle at the end of a long and hectic day.

2.   Going back to work after a baby can be daunting enough but finding out what your rights are and what flexibility you are entitled to is important. Employees are entitled to different types of leave related to being.

3.   Children can achieve well at school when their family and friends take an interest in their school and schoolwork. Getting involved in your child’s education, even in the simplest way, shows that you care about their school life. Often, the more supported a child feels at home, the more effectively she or he will learn at
school. Whatever your lifestyle, or family situation, it is never too soon (or too late) to start helping a child develop a positive attitude towards learning.

4.   Helping your child get the best out of school Try to give encouragement and show appreciation of your child’s achievements, whether great or small, as this can help boost their confidence. Teach them basic organisation and time management skills so they are not overwhelmed with projects or homework. Be realistic and avoid putting your child under pressure by having over-high expectations. Let your child develop at their own pace, but if you do have concerns, please speak to their teacher.

5.   Try to give feedback rather than criticism, e.g. saying ‘that didn’t seem to work’ rather than ‘you got it wrong’. This helps them think about where they went wrong and how they can improve in future, rather than just feeling like a failure.

6.   You might find contacting the school or talking to your child’s teachers difficult, or think they will not have time for you. But finding out more about their school life
and what they are learning shows your child how much you care about their
education. And getting to know the school and the teachers is the best way of
finding out more.