“It’s always ideal to have a good working relationship with your boss, but when you’re juggling work and daycare, I would argue that it’s essential. Especially if you don’t have family close by who can help out. I’m thankful that I had a great working relationship with my boss before I had Harry as it made returning to work so much less daunting. You can discuss your days and hours more openly and confidently when there’s already a rapport and respect there.” – Lauren

“When I first started back at work, I used to feel really guilty leaving at 3pm to go and pick up my son. Like I was sneaking out early. Technically, according to 9-5 hours, I do leave early. But I also start earlier than anyone else so I still do the same hours, just at different times. I’m lucky to be able to work flexible hours and have great colleagues who respect my hours, but I was my own worst enemy always believing that I was leaving early. Now I always correct friends or colleagues when they say the same.” – Bec

“Life admin is the last thing on your mind when you first go back to work, but it’s actually the best time to play catch-up because employers aren’t legally obliged to pay you super when you’re on maternity leave. There’s this amazing career break online super calculator you can use to figure out how your new working days/hours affect your super and then it’s just a case of reading how you can boost your super so that your relaxing retirement plans aren’t ruined ’cause you’ve had kids!” – Kirsten

“When you’re at work, you have to commit to being there — otherwise it’s just too much of a struggle. There’s nothing worse than torturing yourself wishing you were at home. The day only drags.” – Nat

“I was feeling a bit scared (and a bit useless, to be honest) about going back to work when my husband suggested I caught up with my old work friends baby-free. It was such a good idea. We got to catch up, they filled me in on the latest office politics and reminded me that I was (am) actually good at my job. It was just the confidence boost I needed.” – Larissa

“The reality is, between work, the kids and life (read: kids’ parties), there’s zero time for a full spring clean once a week. It’s totally unrealistic. You’ve either got kids following you around wanting to press every button on the vacuum cleaner or crying because it’s too noisy. You can’t win! So my advice to working mums is to get a cleaner. Best money you will ever spend.” – Alice

“Some days I’ll get out the door easily, get a seat on the train, hear from my husband that daycare drop-off was fine, action (and file!) emails, get through my to-do list, leave on time and get to daycare to see my son having the best time. Those days I think, what was I even worrying about? This is easy. It’s working. Then the day after will be the day from hell. But a bad day isn’t a sign that I’m a bad mum or that I’m bad at my job. It’s just that. A rubbish day. Which I used to have all the time before I had kids and never attach so much meaning to them. So now I just try to get through the day without making it worse for myself. Because chances are I won’t be able to remember why it even sucked in five years.” – Brody

Text: Bauer