I see you, Mama, moving restlessly from room to room, mentally preparing for tomorrow’s return to work. You stop by the crib, gazing at your sleeping little one, mesmerized by his tiny features and soft breaths, unaware that soon, another caregiver will be reading him his favorite bedtime story and tucking him in for his nap.
In anticipation of your long day ahead—possibly 11 or even 12 hours—you aim to stockpile meals. You’ve invested in a slow cooker and saved countless recipes online, filling your fridge like a survivalist preparing for a storm. Your freezer is stuffed, and you wonder if it will even close.
As you toss carrots and broccoli into a steamer basket, you realize that soon, you may not have the luxury of making purees. Store-bought pouches will have to do, even if they contribute to the mountain of waste and contradict the research on chewing.
You arrange the breast pump and supplies on the counter, questioning if your baby will take a bottle after not practicing for a while, as everyone suggested. With a framed photo of him as a newborn in hand, you hesitate, torn between which picture to pack. In the end, both find their way into your bag, leaving a void on your nightstand.
You can’t shake the feeling of resentment that everyone was right—the early months flew by. All you have are countless pictures on your phone, a digital diary of your nurturing moments, documenting your child’s earliest days. To validate your experience, you compile a list of all the activities you shared during your maternity leave—daily walks, story times, and museum visits, which, let’s be honest, your baby likely didn’t care about. Did you do enough?
The burnt smell of broccoli fills the air, pulling you back to reality. You rush to the kitchen and discard the charred veggies.
You remind yourself that the daycare will be just fine. You’ve done your research; you recall the image of babies in high chairs, caregivers feeding them with soft spoons, and the familiar smells of warmth and cleanliness. But the worry creeps in—what if he refuses to eat? What if he cries for you?
Doubt looms over your decision to return to work. But life comes with expenses. You want a better living situation, far from the loud neighbor and his incessant dog. You crave the chance to see family more often and to wear dresses and heels occasionally. You wish for your professional life to hold significance, grappling with the daunting statistic that only a small fraction of mothers return to work after a break.
Some of your friends have turned to selling products online, but sales were never your forte. You yearn for an alternative to the typical 47-hour workweek and the long commutes.
As another batch of carrots rolls off the counter, frustration overwhelms you. You dash to your baby, snuggling him in his cozy pajamas, careful not to hold him too tightly.
But tomorrow, you’ll take it one step at a time. You’ll still have mornings, evenings, and weekends.
I’ll see you on that train, Mama. If you show me pictures of your little one, I promise to admire them. If you find yourself getting emotional at your desk, I’ll be there with a tissue and lunch (because we know you might skip breaks). We’re all cheering you on—from the conference room meetings to the school events. No matter where you are, remember that you’re doing your best. We’re in this together.
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Summary
This heartfelt message is for mothers preparing to return to work after maternity leave. It captures the anxiety, nostalgia, and determination that come with the transition. As they navigate the challenges of work-life balance, it’s essential to remember that they are not alone in this journey. Support and resources are available to help them along the way.