Back to Work
Raising a family is like running a small business. You will need to be organized, plan, budget, schedule and most of all, enjoy what you do! The following is advice from mothers and fathers on co-ordinating your family and work lives, as well as links to other resources. For nursing mothers, we've also included guidelines for storing breastmilk.

• Allow some time for the transition when you return. If you can, go back to work on a Wednesday so you have a few days to adjust.

• Have all that you need organized the night before and allow extra time for your family in the morning. That way you can avoid stressful, harried departures.

• Allow time for just hanging out with your child when you pick him/her up from daycare. He/She will appreciate the uninterrupted time, too.

• If you're returning from work and your partner has been home, take a moment to collect yourself (have a snack, a few moments breather) before you walk in the door. Be prepared to be with your family, and/or give your partner a break.

• Have meals ready or easy to prepare for when you return home. It will be simpler than trying to organize it at the end of the day.

• Try to leave your work at work. Change into clothes for home comfort. Forward phone calls, answer e-mail at another time. If you work at home, you'll do better to have a separate area to close the door and make your work time and place distinct. (This also has the advantage of being able to clearly claim that space on your taxes).

• Make appointments with your family and stick with them. Being on-time for your child's bedtime is as important as getting to a meeting with your boss.

• While at work, it's okay to check in with your day care provider, though probably once or twice a day is enough. Make sure you and your partner both know the childcare providers numbers, emergency contact numbers and schedules for pick-up times. Some places charge a dollar a minute if you are late.

Breastfeeding and Going Back to the Workplace:
You can continue to breastfeed and go back to work. Before you have your baby, consider how you can set up your workplace in order to pump. When your baby is 4-6 weeks old, you can start pumping and storing breastmilk to build up a reserve supply and to get familiar with pumping.
You will need a good pump, a private place to do this and breaks every few hours (or only once or twice, depending on your baby's age).
An electric pump is most efficient if you will be pumping often. Two good resources for information and advice:

B.A.C.E/Nursing Mothers Council 617-244-5102 free telephone advice. 24 hours.
www.motherwear.com sells pumps and very lovely nursing clothes.

Guidelines for storing breastmilk.

Childcare is an issue for both parents to review and discuss.
Check out Family resources page for child care resources and family networks.

Going back to work, finding quality child care, taking time off from your job are issues that profoundly influence you and your family's well-being. An excellent website for more discussion of these issues is www.mothersoughttohaveequalrights.org (The acronym for that is m o t h e rs).

Please feel free to contact us with resources or advice that you have found helpful.

Family Resources for childcare and family networks