Difficulties confronted by women who plan to rejoin the workforce after a maternity break

I had figured everything out. I hired a caretaker three months before my maternity leave was set to end. I gradually established a pattern around my child, and I was eager to return to work. However, the caretaker abruptly left without giving any notice a week before my joining date, and I was afraid to break my promise to report for work on the scheduled day.

I was forced to change the date of my joining. Fortunately, my supervisors were understanding of my predicament and allowed me to prolong my leaves until I found a better caregiver for my child.

Research from the Genpact centre for women’s leadership found that by the time they are 30 years old, 50% of working women in India quit their careers to care for their children. Even among those who do succeed in going back, a sizable percentage leaves the workforce again within the first four months. Not all women are lucky enough to have a village or support structure to assist them in raising their children, which compels them to suppress their own needs in favor of concentrating on raising the children.

Many women struggle and feel guilty for not spending enough time with their children or for putting them in the care of strangers. They are the major caregivers for their children, which makes it difficult for them to concentrate on their work at the same time. Do you also fit the following description:

• Always going over the never-ending to-do list and planning how to multitask and fit it all in?
• Spending time with your children without being mentally present while worrying about what to do next?
• Fail to make time for yourself, compromising both your physical and mental well-being.

Are you willing to change the way you feel? How long are you willing to wait to feel better about yourself?

• How would it feel to be the mom who is focused on her life instead of her to-do list?
• How would it feel to let go of the guilt?
• How would it feel to make progress on the goals and projects that are important to you?
• How would it feel to have dedicated support from someone who’s been where you are so you can stop crowd-sourcing advice from Facebook?

When you speak to someone who has gone through the same phase as yours, there are higher chances that they will empathize with you in a way no one can. I know this all seems probably too good to be true and I remember thinking the same but that is what I help with in one-to-one sessions.

If you are interested in receiving coaching to make your life more enjoyable while enjoying your time with kids and work. Kindly DM.

I urge everyone in my network to share this post with all new mothers and expectant mothers. I will consider myself fortunate if I can aid them in making this transition go smoothly.