Returning to Work After Parental Leave: How to Make the Transition Smoother
Carla Greenan Greenan, Founder 
This comprehensive guide offers actionable advice for working parents transitioning to work after parental leave.
The journey of becoming a working parent transforms not just your family life but your professional identity as well. As a certified coach who has guided countless parents through this transition, I've seen how preparation, clear communication, and self-compassion can make returning to work after parental leave significantly smoother. This guide breaks down the process into three phases aligning with your parental leave journey.
Get Ready: (Preparing for Parental Leave)
The weeks before your parental leave begins offer a valuable opportunity to prepare for your baby's arrival and your eventual return to work. While it might seem premature to think about coming back when you haven't even left yet, this preparation can significantly reduce stress later.
Start by thoroughly understanding your company's parental leave policy. Know what benefits are available to you, how much time you can take, and whether there are options for extending if needed. This knowledge gives you the confidence to make informed decisions about your leave timeline.
Creating a comprehensive transition plan for your workplace responsibilities is essential. Document your key projects, recurring tasks, and important contacts. Have explicit conversations with your manager about who will handle different aspects of your role while you're away. The more detailed this handoff, the less likely it is that you'll return to unexpected issues.
Key "Get Ready" actions to take:
Create a detailed transition document that outlines all your responsibilities, ongoing projects, and key contacts
Meet with your manager to discuss expectations during your absence and upon your return
Clarify how connected you want to be during leave (completely disconnected, occasional updates, or something in between)
Begin researching childcare options, even if your return date seems distant
Set up automatic email responses and voicemail messages with clear information about who to contact in your absence
Consider writing a letter to your "future returning-to-work self" with encouragement and reminders of your priorities
This preparation phase isn't just about logistics but also emotional readiness. Acknowledge that you're entering a significant life transition that will reshape your personal and professional identity. Clarity about what matters most to you professionally will help you make decisions when you return.
Get Set: (While on Parental Leave)
While the early weeks of parental leave should focus primarily on bonding with your baby and adjusting to parenthood, the period 3-4 weeks before your planned return deserves special attention. The "Get Set" phase helps you mentally, emotionally, and practically prepare for the transition back to work.
As your return date approaches, consider reconnecting with your workplace at a comfortable distance. This might involve a brief coffee with your manager or a quick call with close colleagues. These informal touchpoints can provide insights into significant changes and help ease the psychological transition.
Your childcare arrangements should move from theoretical to practical during this phase. Schedule several practice runs with your childcare provider before your actual return date. These trial periods allow your baby to adjust gradually to their new caregiver and give you peace of mind. They also let you test your new morning routine, identifying potential logistical challenges before they become urgent problems.
Essential "Get Set" preparations:
Confirm and practice your childcare arrangements, including drop-offs and pick-ups
Try on your work clothes to see what fits comfortably post-pregnancy, purchasing new items if needed
Establish and practice your new morning routine, including wake-up times, feeding schedules, and commute timing
Create systems at home that will support your dual role (meal planning, baby supply organization, shared responsibility agreements with your partner)
Gradually adjust your baby's schedule to align with your upcoming work hours
Identify potential self-care practices that will fit into your new routine
Reflect on and redefine your measures of success, both professionally and personally
Consider the practical aspects of your physical return as well. If you're breastfeeding, research your company's lactation policies and facilities. Prepare your pumping supplies and establish a preliminary pumping schedule that suits your professional responsibilities.
This phase is also ideal for establishing home systems supporting your new dual role. Work with your partner to clarify how household responsibilities will be shared when both of you are working. Create simple meal plans, organize baby supplies, and consider what household tasks might be outsourced to reduce your mental load.
GO!: (Tips for Returning from Parental Leave)
The day has arrived—you're back at work with your new identity as a working parent. The "GO" phase is about implementing, adjusting, and growing as you establish your new normal.
Your first weeks back might bring a whirlwind of emotions: pride in your professional identity, heartache at being separated from your baby, satisfaction in adult conversation, and worry about how your child is adjusting. All these feelings are normal and often coexist. Rather than judging them, simply acknowledge them as natural parts of your transition.
Set reasonable expectations for yourself during this initial period. You're performing two significant jobs simultaneously, requiring presence and energy. Recognize that you won't be the same employee you were pre-baby, but you bring new strengths to the table—increased efficiency, sharper prioritization skills, and often greater empathy.
Strategies for thriving in the "GO" phase:
Schedule regular check-ins with your manager about how your return is progressing
Create boundaries around your time, including blocked calendar time for pumping if needed
Develop transition rituals that help you mentally shift between work and home roles
Implement micro self-care practices throughout your day (deep breathing, short walks, favorite healthy snacks)
Connect with other working parents for support and practical advice
Use technology strategically to stay organized (shared family calendars, meal planning apps, reminder systems)
Create an end-of-day celebration ritual that acknowledges what went well rather than focusing on what didn't get done
Time management takes on new significance for working parents. Your previously flexible schedule now requires more structure. Create intentional transition moments between work and home roles, such as using your commute to mentally shift gears. These boundaries help you be more present in whichever role you're occupying.
Self-care isn't optional during this transition—it's essential. With limited time, focus on small but meaningful ways to recharge. This might be a five-minute meditation during lunch, a phone call with a supportive friend during your commute, or ensuring you prioritize sleep even when other personal activities seem tempting. Remember that taking care of yourself isn't selfish; it's what enables you to care for others.
As weeks turn to months, regularly reassess what's working and what isn't. The systems you create in your first month back might need adjustment as your baby grows and your professional responsibilities evolve. Schedule quarterly "check-ins" with yourself to evaluate how you're feeling about your work-life integration and what might need to change.
Remember that there is no perfect way to be a working parent. Your journey will include moments of joy and frustration, confidence and doubt, connection and longing. What matters most isn't getting it all right but building resilience, maintaining open communication, and showing yourself the same compassion you would offer to a dear friend.
The transition back to work isn't just about survival—it's about creating a sustainable, fulfilling life that honors both your professional ambitions and your deep love for your child. Through each challenge and triumph, you're modeling for your little one what it means to navigate life's transitions with grace, authenticity, and courage.
You've got this, even on the days when it feels like you don't.
Click here my full course to help you seamlessly transition to parental leave and back.
Categories: : Professional Growth, Working Parents