More Than a Day Off: Why Returning to Work After Maternity Leave Requires a Redefined Approach
Returning to work after maternity leave is often seen as a simple transition, as if a mother has merely taken an extended sick day. But the reality is anything but simple. The year or so spent away from the workplace is not a static pause; it's a transformative period, a profound journey known as "matrescence." The process of becoming a mother, hardly ever talked about.
This isn't a holiday. For many, it's a marathon of sleepless nights, the relentless cries of colic, the stress of dealing with reflux, and in some cases, the immense challenge of navigating postnatal depression and everything else in between. A mother's entire world, identity, and perspective shift. Sometimes, they've been through a living nightmare in the quiet confines of their home, battling physical and emotional exhaustion, and yet, they are expected to seamlessly slot back into their professional role as if nothing has changed.
The workplace itself rarely stands still either. While a mother has been away, technology has evolved, processes have been updated, and team dynamics have shifted. The person who left is not the same person who returns. They bring with them a new lens on life, a different set of priorities, and a deeper sense of empathy and resilience forged in the fires of early motherhood.
Expecting them to re-engage as if they've just had a day off is not only unrealistic—it’s a recipe for burnout and a loss of valuable talent.
This is where dedicated support comes in. Coaching for returning mothers is not about "fixing" them. It’s about meeting them where they are and giving them the tools and space they need to rebuild their confidence and find their new rhythm. It's about acknowledging the immense shift they've undergone and helping them integrate their new identity as a mother with their professional ambitions.
Coaching can help in a number of ways:
Bridging the Gap: We can work together to help mothers get up to speed with new technology and processes, smoothing the transition back into the flow of the business.
Building Confidence: We focus on rediscovering strengths and re-establishing professional identity, ensuring they feel confident and capable in their role.
Navigating the New Normal: We provide strategies for managing the juggle—balancing professional demands with the realities of being a parent, setting healthy boundaries, and managing energy effectively.
Creating a Strategy: We work on career planning, helping them see how their new skills (resilience, time management, problem-solving under pressure) can be leveraged for future growth.
I believe in a truly tailored approach. I work closely with my clients to understand their unique journey—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. My coaching is a collaborative partnership, designed to empower returning mothers to not just survive but thrive in their professional lives.
Is your career on a path you designed, or one you just ended up on?
Last week, during our event, we explored a fundamental question that so many of us face: How do we align our careers with our true purpose, especially when motherhood changes everything?
One of the most effective tools for this is what I call The Purpose Compass. It's a simple, three-part exercise designed to help you find your "true north" in a way that’s unique to you. It starts with self-reflection and ends with a clear, actionable step forward.
Here’s how it works:
Part 1: Discover Your Spark. Think about what activities or interests make you lose track of time. This is your core identity—the part of you that exists outside of your job title or role as a mother.
Part 2: Identify Your Superpowers. What are you genuinely good at? This could be a professional skill like public speaking or a "soft skill" like empathy or organisation. Your strengths are your greatest asset.
Part 3: Define Your Impact. What do you truly care about? Your values and the contribution you want to make, no matter how small, are the fuel for a purposeful career.
Your purpose is the point where your Spark, Superpowers, and desired Impact all meet. The magic happens when you connect these dots.
I encourage you to give this a try. A great life and a fulfilling career don't happen by accident—they're built with intention.
If you want to move from reflection to action, my coaching programs are designed to help you build a concrete plan. DM me or click the link in my bio to book a free 30-minute consultation. Let's find your purpose together.
Back to Reality: My Summer Holiday Confessions
Ah, September. The leaves are starting to turn, and the sweet sound of silence (mostly) has returned to my house. While I'm incredibly lucky to have been able to take August off with my two boys, ages 4 and 5, it definitely came with a few surprising realities.
I'd initially thought I'd save lots of money by skipping expensive summer camps. Turns out, taking the kids to museums and activities every week adds up fast! It felt like I was constantly shelling out for entrance fees, train tickets, and café treats.
The slower mornings were a dream at first—no frantic rush to get out the door. But by the end of the month, we were all craving the structure of a routine. We packed a lot in, visiting friends and family and exploring new places every week, which was so much fun but also completely exhausting. It felt like a non-stop adventure.
And here’s the most surprising part: I missed the business. It felt like my third child, and I missed spending time with it, nurturing it, and watching it grow.
All in all, it was a wonderful and privileged time with the boys. But if I'm being honest with myself, next year I won't travel as much. I'll be looking for a better balance—finding time to work on the business, not just in it, while still making special memories with my children. Hats off to every parent who survived the summer juggle!
Ready for Your Own Career Reset?
My summer experience is a powerful reminder that our professional and personal lives are deeply intertwined. For so many of us, the long break can highlight the cracks in a job that no longer fits, or reveal a business that isn't truly set up for the flexibility we need.
If my story resonates with you and the return to routine has you thinking about what your next steps could be, The Career Couch is here to help. We understand the unique challenges of balancing a fulfilling career with a thriving family life. Our coaching isn't just about finding a job; it's about helping you build a life that truly works for you.
We can help you:
Regain control by designing a work-life blend that feels less like a constant juggle.
Explore new possibilities, from finding a flexible role to gaining the confidence to launch your own business.
Create a strategy so you can spend time on your business, not just stuck in it.
The summer might be over, but the opportunity to create a more balanced, joyful life is just beginning. Let us help you get there.
Summer Holiday Survival: Is Your Job Making It Worse?
Ah, the blissful thought of summer! Long days, sunshine, ice cream... and then reality hits. For many parents, particularly mums, the looming six-week school holiday can feel less like a break and more like an impending apocalypse. Juggling work commitments with children who are suddenly home all day can be a monumental task, filled with logistical nightmares, guilt, and the constant feeling of being pulled in a million directions. We get it – it's painful. But what if, on top of all that, you're in a job that makes it even worse? A job with inflexible hours, a demanding boss, or a culture that doesn't understand the realities of family life? That's when the pain truly becomes unbearable. Imagine, though, if you had a career that genuinely worked for you and your family. Perhaps a role with more flexibility, better hours, or even the confidence and support to start your own business, giving you total control over your schedule. That’s where a career coach can be a game-changer.
It's astonishing, isn't it, how little the school day has changed in the last 200 years? We're still largely operating on a model designed for a different era, one where one parent (usually the mother) was typically at home. But the world has evolved, and the traditional 9-to-3 school day often feels completely out of sync with modern working life. Why hasn't it shifted? Perhaps it's a mix of inertia, a focus on academic structures over holistic development, and a lack of creative thinking around how education could better serve both children and families. Imagine a world where school hours were more adaptable, offering options that genuinely supported learning and allowed all parents who want to work the freedom and ability to do so without immense stress. It's a conversation worth having, and a change that could transform the lives of millions.
At The Career Couch, we understand what you're going through. We know the unique pressures and challenges that working women face, especially when the holidays hit. This isn't just another coaching course; we genuinely care. We're here to help you navigate these choppy waters, whether it's finding a job that offers the flexibility you crave, or empowering you to take the leap and build your own business. Investing in yourself with The Career Couch means investing in a future where you have more control, less stress, and more joy. We offer ongoing support in between sessions and a vibrant community of like-minded women who are all on their own journeys. You don't have to face the summer holiday (or your career challenges) alone. Let us help you design a working life that truly works for you and your family.
Book a ‘Coffee Discovery Call’ now through the home page. The call lasts 30 minutes and is an informal call to discuss the challenges you are currently facing. At the end of the call we will advise you on some of the coaches and materials that we think could help you and we will then follow up with a proposal personalised to your unique goals.
Approximate min. cost is £2500 + VAT.