What I’ve learnt from my first year back after maternity leave.

I was keen to get back from maternity leave, not because I didn’t like ‘mum life’ or time with my new friends at baby classes, but because I deeply longed for the ‘professional me’. I missed teaching, the camaraderie of colleagues, and the subject that I love, History. I kept myself busy when I struggled adjusting to motherhood in the first six months. Whilst my baby slept I made revision resources for all of our GCSE course. I used all 10 keeping in touch days, and I returned to work for the last month of the school year even though I had until September to be off. 

This first year back has been hard, but so rewarding. I had to return full time and worried I would miss out on time with my child. However, I’ve taken on new responsibilities at work, which I have managed alongside watching my now 20 month old son flourish. 

Here are some things I’ve learnt in my first year back from maternity leave:

• Time is never on your side; you become much better at prioritising
• Juggling tasks is a skill
• Sometimes the work you’ve done is ‘enough’. It might not be constantly revolutionary, but it is good enough. And that’s okay. 
• You will never get to work in the morning at the time you planned to
• Can no longer stay til 5.30 and get everything done- work comes home sometimes and can’t be picked up until after 7 when they’ve gone to bed
• Being more tired, all the time. Bed time ends up being at 9, so the work window in the evening is limited 
• You mention being a mum/ having a child every day. Whether this you bringing it up or a student asking something, or conversations with colleagues now you’re part of the parent club
• Realise that work isn’t everything, but everything you do at work is to provide security for your little one
• There’s no such thing as a restful half term break- it’s sometimes more tiring to be off!
• Child care is as expensive as people (rightfully) moan about
• You are grateful that your nursery doesn’t charge in school holidays
• You have a new understanding about why parents are so protective over their children, even when they are teenagers 
• Spend more time in the staff room. It’s more important to have great conversations with other members of staff than getting those 5 books marked. I greatly missed speaking to fellow adults on maternity leave!
• Being a younger mum and early in my career doesn’t mean I shouldn’t strive for what I want to achieve. I became Acting Head of History in November, only just back from Mat leave, which I have been successful in and loved the challenge (and yes, even the extra work in my limited time!)

Goals for next year: 

1. Focusing on my wellbeing. My son is happy, healthy and loves nursery. I need to find an outlet, whether that be for creativity or exercise. I’ve even looked into going to an aerial hoop beginners class (even though I am the least flexible person and always looks slightly pregnant still due to no tone!)
2. Strive to progress professionally. I’ve considered doing a Masters. 
3. Admit that work will continue to be juggled and that’s okay. My students are making good progress and enjoy lessons, and I am fulfilling the requirements of my role. It is not the end of the world if a PowerPoint slide is not as pretty as you’d like it to be.