Episode 71 - Making a Mindful Return to Work

Today I sit down with Stormme and Nolo from Mindful Return South Africa to talk about a mother's journey from career woman to mom and balancing the two roles. Mindful Return is a global program aimed at supporting new mothers transitioning back to work. Originally founded in the United States by a new mom who faced challenges returning to work after having her first child, the South African division is managed by Stormme and Nolo.

Stormme and Nolo are both qualified attorneys. They were drawn to the program because after having children, they realised that there were numerous resources and information available during pregnancy and childbirth, but there was a lack of support and guidance for new mothers regarding the transition back to work. Mindful Return aims to address this gap.

Common challenges when returning to work

The super moms talked about some of the common struggles mothers face when returning to work. Including not knowing what they can ask for in terms of work arrangements and flexibility. And a general lack of information about topics like maternity leave, managing sick days, work-life balance, breastfeeding and expressing at work and more.

We then delve into maternity leave and how to have conversations with your boss or manager about flexible work arrangements. Stormme and Nolo share some great tips with moms about how to have those conversations. They recommend being confident and clear about your needs and expectations. Coming prepared with a wish list of what you want in terms of maternity leave, flexible work arrangements, and other support. They also stress the importance of not to apologizing for asking and to communicate assertively.

Choosing childcare and preparing to go back to the workplace 

I ask them to share some tips about how moms can prepare for going back to work. The moms talk about how mothers should understand that it's normal to feel separation anxiety. They can expect to have various emotions about returning to work. They should give themselves time to adjust and lean into their support system. Whether it's daycare, nursery schools, nannies, or co-parenting. There is no right or wrong answer. The best choice of child care depends on what works well for the family.

I love this nugget of advice that the Mindful Return ladies offer listeners! I asked them what advice they had for moms facing challenges in managing work and family responsibilities. Nolo and Stormme agree that moms should recognize that they are not giving away their child's care. Rather, they are doubling the love and being excellent role model by pursuing their careers. They also say that building trust and communication with caregivers is vital to ensure that the child's needs are met while they are at work.

I personally have lived the journey of a career mom and absolutely love the insights these ladies have to share. I'm also a huge proponent of the concept of a mindful return to work and all that entails. That's why we will be launching a short Mindful Return course on the Parent Sense app for moms needing guidance to make the transition smoothly. Download the Parent Sense app to be the first to know!