5 Ways to Utilize Your Time on Your Maternity Leave
Maternity Leave
Something we as moms can look forward to. Although some companies don’t give out adequate maternity leave terms, it’s nice to know that it is mandatory to at least have 6 weeks off to bond with your baby. Sucky part is that for some companies this time is unpaid. Unless you're balling like LeBron James, there is no choice but to hurry back to work as quick as possible.
So, to best utilize your time off. I have five ways you can better use your time off to refresh and recharge before you have to head back to work.
5 Ways to Utilize Your Time on Your Maternity Leave
Spend as Much Time as Possible with Your Baby - Time is limited, depending on your leave term, so soak in all the newborn cuddles, contact naps, and more. It might not ease your mom guilt when you return back to work but at least you know you enjoyed the early weeks of your newborns life as much as possible. It does go by fast, so take lots of pictures and videos to commemorate this special time in your life.
Do Some Self-Reflection - What do you want your life and newborn’s life to look like? Do you want to switch careers? Become a stay at home mom? Work from home? Start visualizing your dream life and making plans to eventually get to that point in your life. If that means applying for new jobs while you’re on maternity leave. Do it. If that means stacking up money so you can take that leap and become a full time stay at home mom. Do it. If that means venturing into entrepreneurship and starting a business. Do it. This time is yours. Make sure to use it for you too.
Self-Care is the BEST CARE - Treat yourself. You just had a whole baby. Whatever you like to do to take care of you, whether that be getting your hair done, nails done, lashes, etc. Or if it just means relaxing on the couch with your newborn catching up on your favorite shows and taking an uninterrupted bath. Do it. I know this might be hard for the moms who don’t have support, so if you have to DIY it and do it while your newborn is sleep. Make time. Do it. You will never regret taking care of you. Your future you will thank you.
Spend time with Friends and Family - If this means inviting your friends/family over to help you with newborn life or going out for drinks with your girls. Do it. Life is too short. Your newborn would want you to have a life outside of them. While they are the MAIN priority, ther’re not the ONLY priority. If you’re a new mom, going from going out every weekend to once a month, might be a big adjustment, but trust me. You will enjoy and cherish those nights out with friends/family or brunch dates more. So still make time. It might look different, but hey, as a mom, you will learn how to balance family life with social life in due time. For couples, it might seem harder to spend quality time with your spouse, so plan date nights (in the house and out the house) and spend uninterrupted time with your spouse chatting and catching up while the kids are sleep. It might seem like the relationship is on the back burner due to the kids but prioritize it because once the kids leave, it will just be you two. So, continue to date your spouse and use this time to reconnect and set a new dynamic that works for the both of you.
Routines Work - Before you head back to work, make sure that you have a consistent routine for the baby. Is the baby going to be at daycare? If so, who is doing the drop off? Do you want to bath the baby at night or in the morning? How do you plan to split up household duties between your partner? Figuring out your new life and dynamic will help ease the transition back into work mode. So I would start thinking about what I would like my work mornings and work nights to look like. For the moms who don’t have much support, it’s important to create a routine that doesn’t burn you out. Make sure to include me time throughout your day to recharge and refresh. You deserve it.
Let me know in the comments if there are any other ways you utilized your time off during your maternity leave.
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