Most women go through this process of feeling doubt, wondering whether their work colleagues will be genuinely supportive, whether they will point out the potential negatives and not be extraordinarily pleased – as you are, about your impending bundle of joy.
Once you’re sure that you’ll be taking a significant period of time away from work while you have your baby, you need to carefully consider all the potential repercussions. It’s a good idea to inform everyone around you of what’s going on, of course, but before you do, you should make sure that you’ve dotted all your “i’s” and crossed all your “t’s” too. You have so much to think about – it can seem daunting at times, and if you’re looking for some relief you might want to look into online life coaching from one of the many professional websites dedicated to coaching for women just like you. You have a lot of potential repercussions to consider and professional coaching should be actively considered.
For instance, you should work out your timeline and try to figure out how it might effect your existing job, and how it could effect or impact your other colleagues as well. While most will likely be overjoyed for you, there may be a couple of questions in the back of their minds regarding your loyalty or your commitment to the work operation. You should seek to allay those fears as early as possible by devising a plan of attack.
One of the first things you cover should be the timetable, your intended day of leave and the day of return. Obviously, your baby may have other ideas and you should lay out the flexibility of the situation as best as possible. When you find out who will be covering for you, you will need to spend more time with them, of course. Do this as early as possible as you just never know exactly when the stork will arrive!
Try and assuage people’s fears about your commitment and let them know that you will return as fresh as ever, just as soon as you are able. While you are establishing principles, make sure that you do not give them an open invitation to call you at any time with any little work problem. By all means, keep in touch, but set limits as well for your own sanity! After all, for this period of time your baby is the number one priority.
While your enthusiasm and euphoria are understandable, remember that the world still turns and if you prepare efficiently, your bosses and colleagues will be as delighted as ever to see you, upon your return.
Amanda Alexander is the Founder and Inspiration behind Coaching Mums. She’s a distinguished ICF accredited coach, who for almost seven years now, has been bringing a new feeling of hope into the lives of working moms from around the world, showing them how to discard their guilt, rediscover their passions and to have a lot more fun! For amazing articles and truly effective professional coaching tips, sign up to get “Inspire” right away, our absolutely outstanding free newsletter!
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