Feeling Confident At Work

Whether you've taken a few months' maternity leave or have been a stay at home mom for years, there's no denying that taking care of kids is a whole lot different than being at work. Many mothers, no matter how educated, how competent, and how expert in their field, admit to worrying about returning to work. Will your colleagues see you for the professional that you are, or will they doubt your abilities because you were taking care of kids while they were on the front lines, gaining experience and keeping up with professional development? 

Avoid the trap of feeling incompetent by connecting with people from your professional life before you return to work, reviewing your past achievements, and networking with colleagues. Some mothers who are returning to work will benefit from taking a course to brush up on their professional skills, if only for their own confidence levels. Don't discount the value of your more recent experience either: moms rock at multi-tasking, need to have excellent time-management skills, and may be better at interacting with the public than non-parent colleagues. 

Tips For Making Work Work For You

• Explore the idea of flexible hours and telecommuting with your employer, if that's what you want. Many jobs can be done out of the workplace and during flexible hours, and if some flexibility means you are able to perform better, there's no reason your employer shouldn't be accommodating. On the other hand, your partner and kids should also offer a good deal of flexibility, adjusting to the new situation by picking up the responsibilities you no longer have time for. 
• You'll be more confident and perform better at work if you look and feel your best. Therefore, don't let the fact that working motherhood requires a lot of juggling take away from your self-care time. Get enough sleep, make time for at least one hobby — whether solo or shared with your family — and budget for a new working wardrobe that will make you feel and look awesome, as well as a visit to the hairdresser. 
• Plan ahead, whether it comes to meals, fun family time, or your job. Accept that settling into work will probably require all of your efforts at the beginning, and that you may have to work harder than everyone else while you prove yourself as a competent employee. After the adjustment period, though, guard your family time like a hawk and don't let overwork and work from home cut into your private life. A good schedule will accomplish this.