It’s a date that’s been in the diary for months, yet nobody has been looking forward to it. The emotional day when a new mum heads back to work at the end of maternity leave.
If you’re lucky enough to have wangled some shared parental leave, so that dad can take over at home, I’m sure it softens the blow slightly. But for the vast majority of new parents, the end of maternity leave means that, for the first time in their life, your little pride and joy will be someone else’s responsibility. And I think every parent that’s been through it can agree, this is a mammoth, highly-charged adjustment for mums (especially) to process.
So to give my wife Rosie the courage to make it through her first week back at work after maternity leave, Teddy and I wrote her a little poem, to ease her mind and remind her of all the things to look forward to about returning to ‘paid employment’.
And, hopefully, for any other new mums going through the same, this poem can also give you little boost too…
You’ve got this mama!
***
A poem for mummy on her first day back at work
You’ve cared for me tirelessly,
since the day I popped out
and I’ve loved every minute,
of that, there’s no doubt.
.
But it’s time now to head back
to your nine to five;
I know it seems scary, but
I know you’ll survive.
.
Just think of the freedom
you’ll have, once you’re there,
with no nappies to change,
or me, pulling your hair.
.
Like drinking a cuppa
before it’s gone cold,
and dealing with grown ups
who do as they’re told.
.
Or grabbing a sandwich
when lunch hour hits,
without having to chop it
into small bite sized bits.
.
And wearing clean clothes
(that I’ve not yet stained),
while mingling with adults
who are all potty trained!
.
Plus, I’ll be just fine mum,
so don’t get distraught.
You’ve prepared me so well
with all that you’ve taught.
.
I won’t scream the place down;
I’ll smile on cue;
I’ll eat all my lunch up
and sleep when asked too.
.
Of course, I’ll miss you,
but the hours will fly by…
so be a brave mummy,
and try not to cry.
.
You’ve left me in safe hands.
It’ll be a right laugh!
I’ll fill you in later,
when you give me my bath…
.
It’s time to head off now,
or else you’ll be late!
Just try to enjoy it…
I know you’ll be great.
.
I see you’re still nervous
but, really, we’ll be alright.
So chin up, head down
and I’ll see you tonight!
xxx
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post! If you are dreading going back to work at the end of maternity leave or, indeed, know anyone going through the same who might get a little kick out of this post, please do share it on your socials to help spread the love!
And for more from me, as always, you can stay in touch with YOU THE DADDY via Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
Sums it up perfectly. I cried reading this on the eve of returning to work. Thank you.
Author
Aww thanks Jenna – glad you liked it and hope your first day back went OK.
That made me cry. I will be going back to work soon and it’s not easy not having your baby with you. A nice peom to prepare me.
Such a Inspirational and emotional poem. Love the way you covered all the things. Keep up the great work.
What a great poem! It has lifted my spirit. I’m returning to work next week after one year maternity. Everyday I encourage myself that everything will be fine with my daughter at nursery. My husband and friends encourage me on a daily basis.
Can’t we all just take our babies to work?
Author
Ah thank you! Would love to take my baba to work too…not sure I’d get much done but would be worth it!
Lovely poem, dreading this in April 🙁
I wrote a little reply
But wait there’s an issue can you guess,
I won’t make it home for your bath I work for the nhs! 🙁
I’ll see you in the morning little one I hope you understand, leaving you for the whole day is not what I had planned,
When my 12 and half working hours are through
my heart will ache from missing you,
so i’ll see you in the morning sleep safe my little tot, and never forget I love you ever such a lot!
Author
Ahhh LOVE IT!!! A great addition xx
Feel your pain being a NHS nurse we never get to leave on time, breaks your heart but all worthwhile I know he’s having fun with grannys and nursery x
Ah this made me cry! I went through this in May and it’s hard and yet I can imagine my children saying this to me!
This poem made me emotional as being a daughter I am thankful to my mom who has always been there for me.The only thing I have to say is “I LOVE YOU MOM”
Amazing! Got tears and went into flashback wen in last November 2016 i joined my ofc leaving my 2.5month baby… it was heart breaking. I was unable to concentrate on work for few days but time heals everything. Still there are days wen i feel to quit work n stay with my son.. to see him growing n not miss on anything… i wish…
This made me cry! It’s so lovely. Hope your wife got on well back at work. I have months leave left with my baby boy so going to enjoy every second!
I love this! Thanks for writing this, its brilliant! I’m going back to work next week and struggling a wee bit but will keep this poem handy, it’ll really help!
This is awesome and so true but after my second maternity leave I am pleased I am taking some extra time out to bring up my babies! Fortunately I get to drink my coffee hot when they both sleep at the same time 🙂
A beautiful well written poem.I went back to work last Sept after 9 months of maternity leave.If you work with children like I do as a nursery officer your still doing all those things but to someone else’s children wishing it was your own child x
I am coming to the end of my maternity leave with my second child. Although I have gone through the ‘return to work after mat leave’ phase before it doesn’t feel any easier second time around. This poem made me smile. Have shared it. Thank you.
Author
Thanks so much Victoria – wishing you lots of luck on your first day back zx
Love this. Brought a tear to my eye. Im a new mum contemplating going back to work… at some point, but the thought of leaving baby is just heart wrenching. Good luck to all the mama’s brave enough to do it!
Author
It really is so tough Hannah but it’s a transition that can have lots of benefits for your baby too – Teddy’s only been away for 3 days now and he’s developed so much already. Hope you manage to find a solution that works for you!
What a great poem!! Nailed it!
Author
Cheers buddy!