Monday, April 4, 2011
How to Arrange for Childcare Before Maternity Leave Even Starts
Nothing changes your life like having a baby. There are all the changes to your body and way of thinking, all the work to prepare for the delivery, all the adjustments you weren’t prepared for getting used to the baby’s needs. And if that’s not enough, learning how to leave your precious little one in someone else’s care so you can return to work.
Some parts of preparing for your return to work should start long before you deliver your baby, especially when it comes to lining up the childcare provider. Finding proper childcare will be a huge weight off your shoulders. This is usually the biggest area of stress for a new mother. Here are some tips on how to do it:
Decide on the best type of childcare for your situation.
Decide what type of childcare situation you are interested in. Will family be taking care of the baby? Are you interested in hiring a nanny/babysitter? Is daycare the best option? Be specific about what you are looking for and don't settle! Click here for some suggestions to keep in mind when you are looking for a babysitter/nanny.
Thoroughly research your childcare.
Many childcare centers have long waiting lists – up to a year! This is definitely something you don’t want to attend to at the last minute. After doing all of your research and choosing which center you want, don’t just leave it at that. Make periodic visits to the facility while you’re on maternity leave so that they recognize you as an involved parent. This gives you a good chance to make sure this center is the right fit for your family. Also make sure you have backup childcare ready in case something happens to your primary childcare provider. Oftentimes, relatives will be glad to fill in for a day.
Schedule some trial runs for childcare.
Before you begin working again, practice being away from your baby. Leave your child at the childcare facility for an afternoon so everyone can get used to the new arrangement. You won’t have the angst of leaving your baby for the first time piled on top of your anxiety about starting work again.
Accept your range of feelings.
You are going to have a range of emotions when you start preparing to back to work. Most moms experience some guilt. It’s important to remember that you are not a terrible mother because you have to go back to work. The purpose of working is so you can provide the best for your family and that includes your newborn.
Newborn babies are precious and they grow up quickly. You may have to work, but maybe you can spend more time with your baby by enlisting the help of Simplify. As moms ourselves, it’s important to us that you get to enjoy as many special moments as possible so contact us for a free consultation. And look for more tips in an upcoming blog that will help you deal with a heavier workload – especially those first few weeks back to work.
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