Work-Life Balance After Maternity Leave: What It Really Looks Like

Title: Work-Life Balance After Maternity Leave: What It Really Looks Like

Coming back to work after maternity leave is a big deal. You’re stepping into a familiar world, but you’re not the same person anymore. Your identity has shifted, your priorities have changed, and your energy — well, that’s probably fluctuating too.

I work with parents in exactly this moment — navigating the messy, emotional, and very real transition from parental leave back to work. And one of the biggest themes that comes up again and again? Work-life balance after maternity leave — and what that even means now.

Let’s Talk About Balance (For Real)

The idea of “balance” gets thrown around a lot, but here’s the truth: it’s not about doing everything perfectly. And it definitely isn’t about having equal time for work, home, and yourself every single day.

Balance is fluid. It shifts. Some days will lean more toward your child. Some days toward your job. And some days — hopefully — toward yourself. That’s not failure. That’s real life.

Why Balance Feels So Hard After Maternity Leave

You’re not imagining it — this is a complicated moment. And there are a few very real reasons it can feel harder than expected:

1. You’ve changed.

Even if you're returning to the same job, you’re returning as a different person. Your role as a parent now sits alongside your professional identity, and that can shift your values, your ambitions, and your bandwidth.

2. The lines blur quickly.

When work messages ping during nap time or your thoughts drift to baby milestones during meetings, it’s easy to feel like you’re never fully “on” anywhere.

3. The pressure is intense.

There’s often a silent expectation to bounce back, be the same, prove yourself — all while managing the mental load of home life. It’s a lot.

What’s Helped Me — and My Clients — Find a Healthier Balance

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but here are some things I often share with the parents I coach:

1. Redefine success.

What does a “good” day or week look like in this season of life? It doesn’t have to be a full to-do list. Maybe it’s getting out the door without forgetting your laptop and the nappy bag. That’s a win.

2. Set gentle boundaries.

You don’t need rigid rules — just small, intentional habits. For me, it’s no emails before my morning coffee, and a five-minute reset after work before I transition into mum mode.

3. Ask for support (and accept it).

Whether it’s at work, at home, or through coaching — support makes a difference. You don’t have to do it all alone. In fact, you’re not meant to.

4. Make time for yourself (yes, really).

Even 10–15 minutes of something that’s just for you — reading, walking, breathing — can be enough to feel a little more human again.

5. Keep checking in.

Work-life balance isn’t a fixed target. As your child grows and your work evolves, you’ll need to adjust things. That’s not backsliding. That’s being responsive — and wise.

You’re Not Failing — You’re Rebalancing

If this season feels wobbly or overwhelming, I want you to know: it’s not just about logistics. This is an emotional shift. A new chapter. And it makes complete sense that it takes time to find your rhythm again.

You're not going back to how things were. You're moving forward into something new — something that can work for you, if you give yourself permission to do things differently.

Looking for support as you return to work after parental leave?
That’s exactly what I do at Nest & Next — coaching parents like you through the practical, emotional, and professional parts of this transition.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’m here — and I get it.