Returning to work after parental leave can feel daunting, and it can often come with mixed emotions. You may be eager to get back up to speed, meet up with new and old colleagues, and take on some fresh challenges. But you may also be worried about how you and your child will cope with your new routine, and how you'll catch up on all the things you've missed while you've been away. There's undoubtedly a lot of change that you'll need to manage, but, if navigated successfully, you'll be back at work feeling confident and in control. So, let's look at some of the things that you can do to ease your transition back to work. First, keep in touch. This could just mean scheduling catch-ups with your boss during your parental leave. Some organizations also use "keep-in-touch days" to help parents stay connected with their organization and their team while they're off. Keep yourself informed of key organizational developments as well. For example, by reading internal newsletters, and staying up-to-date with important team news. Also take the time to understand relevant company policies. What flexible working options are available, and how do you go about requesting these? What additional benefits does your organization offer, in the way of childcare programs or medical insurance? It's important that both managers and employees understand what the organization provides to people on parental leave, and where you can access this support. Flexible or hybrid working arrangements can be particularly helpful when you need to balance childcare with work. If your organization does offer flexible working, and you decide a change in working pattern would suit you, explain, in writing, what changes you'd like to make. Also include details, like when you'd need the new arrangement to come into effect, how it might affect your work, and what you and your organization could do to manage this. It's not unusual for parents to feel nervous about going back to work. Confidence is often one of the things that returning parents struggle with the most, particularly if there have been significant organizational changes while they've been away. Set up a meeting with your manager and other team members when you return, to cover what you've missed, and go over any gaps in your knowledge. Are there any relevant training courses that might benefit you? Or mentoring schemes that could help you to build up your confidence and skills? Returning to work after you've had a child can feel stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Small things, like keeping in touch with colleagues, staying up-to-date with organizational news, and making use of flexible working hours can all help to make your return as smooth as possible. © 2023 Mind Tools Ltd.