Advent Calendar – 10 December

Today’s advent calendar post shines a light on a topic that is clearly a big deal and resonates with so many of you: returning to work after parental leave. Earlier this year, I shared my own story in “Mummy Goes Back to Work”, and it quickly became the most-read post on the blog! It’s clear that this big transition is something many working parents grapple with.

And it’s no wonder—it is a big deal. Balancing your career, identity, and family life is no mean feat! I’m not an expert, but I’m in the thick of it —and I can honestly say it’s one of the hardest, yet most empowering, steps I’ve taken as a new mum. There were moments of doubt, guilt, and anxiety, but also resilience, and pride in taking on the challenge. I’ve learned a lot about balancing work and family, and I wanted to sharemy experience in case it can help even one of you feel more prepared or less alone.

To make things a bit easier, I’ve also created a free downloadable checklist for preparing to return to work. It’s a practical little tool based on what I’ve learnt along the way, and it’s available exclusively to blog subscribers. If you’re already signed up, you can access it with your subscriber password in the “Free Downloads” section. Not signed up yet? Don’t worry! Subscribe to my monthly newsletter now, and you’ll be emailed the password to access the checklist and other exclusive resources.

But that’s not all—I want to hear from you! What makes this transition such a big deal for you? What are your biggest questions or challenges about returning to work? What’s helped you—or what do you wish you’d known? I’m planning a Q&A follow-up post to dive into this topic even further. Post your thoughts in the comments below or email me directly at sayhello@whatmummydidntknow.blog , and I’ll do my best to include them in the next blog.

This stage of life isn’t easy, but together, we’re stronger. By sharing our stories and supporting one another, we can face the challenges of being career mums with a little more confidence and a lot more solidarity — and that’s a pretty big deal, too!

P.S. Don’t forget to revisit “Mummy Goes Back to Work” for a dose of inspiration and reassurance. 💼 👶