How old was your child / children when you returned to work? 9 months

How hard was it for you to find child care? Not hard, I advertised for a nanny and selected a great person within a week.

How did you cope with the combined challenge of your child going to child care and you returning to work? It wasn’t too bad as Sarah was still going to be at home - just with a different carer to me. I felt guilty for a few weeks for leaving her. However she soon excited at the arrival of our nanny on the day I was working. They had a ball when I was at work!

Did you return to the same job? If no, why? No - my role before going on maternity leave was consulting to a Director of a large complex operation that required me to be on call 5 days a week. While I was offered the role back, I did not feel this would work 3 days a week.

Are you part time, full time, job share or contract? Part Time

What industry do you work in? What do you do? Telecommunications, Human Resources.

Is your employer understanding of the work/family balancing act? If yes, can you give an example? Absolutely. I am able to leave work at 4pm or earlier and take work home as long as I achieve the strategic objectives of my role. Now that you are a mum, have your expectations of work changed? Not really. I am still as ambitious as I was before I had children but I am more conscious of achieving a balance so my children get the attention that need/deserve from me. 

As a mum, what positive attributes do you think you have brought back into the workplace? Definitely superior juggling act skills!!!

How do you benefit personally from returning to work?  I love the stimulation of work. It is so interesting and gives me a break from the daily grind of managing my kids.

Do you have any time-saving tips and hints for other mums juggling work and family? Don’t take on more than you can handle particularly if you are part time.

What are your top 3 tips for other mums returning to work? Find a flexible employer. Ensure you are very comfortable with the carers for your kids and develop a strong open relationship with them. And finally, be proud of yourself for managing work and a family!