It’s a strange feeling – leaving behind a world of baby snuggles, snack cups, and “Super Simple Songs” to step back into one of meetings, deadlines, and coffee that’s actually hot. Going back to work feels both familiar and foreign all at once.
While you’ve been home, you’ve learned to juggle all of the household duties while raising a tiny human and you’ve adapted to that challenge. You’ve learned all of the different baby cries and you’ve nailed down the perfect nap-feeding-play schedule, while managing to have healthy meals ready and a (mostly) clean house.
Do you remember feeling like you’d never figure it out?
Like you’d never come out of the newborn fog?
Like you’d never sleep again?
But you did.
You figured it out, and that same strength will carry you through this next chapter. You’ve built a life around your little one, and now everything is shifting again—and even when it’s the next right step, it can still feel hard.
The Shock of Transition
Transitioning from being a stay-at-home-mom to working a 9-5 can feel daunting—it’s not like you trade one for the other—the work at home doesn’t stop. The office world is different than what you’ve gotten used to at home too.
Much like bringing home a new baby and adjusting to a new routine, you’ll do that again when you go back to the office.
There will be things you have to learn or re-learn, new schedules and routines to adjust to, and even a new work language. But just like the change of bringing a newborn baby home, adding a 40-hour work week to your already packed schedule will come with its own adjustments too.
I remember the advice given to my husband and me when we took our newborn home from the hospital:
“It will take time.”
“You will adjust.”
“You will sleep again.”
The same things can be said about going back to work. You’ve done the hard thing of bringing a newborn home, and God has strengthened you and given you exactly what you needed for that season. He can and will do it again, by his power.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
What I Wish I Knew
So how do you walk through this season without losing your sanity or your joy? Here are a few things I wish I knew when I stepped back into the office.
- The juggling act will feel like its own part time job. I knew it would be an adjustment going back to work, so how did I prepare? I made a couple of freezer meals that lasted only a couple of weeks. Then I had to figure out something else to do for dinner.
Everything is going to feel like you’re starting all over again. Just keep it simple, and don’t try to adjust everything all at the same time. You may have to eat takeout for a while until you can figure out how to work your meal planning into your schedule again.
Start small, adjust as you go, and give yourself grace. Let your husband know when you need help, or better yet, have him help with preparing a couple of meals during the week.
Tip: When you first go back to work, budget a little extra money for restaurants. Trust me, you’ll need it.
- Mom guilt is real. Whether you’re away from home or stay at home, you’re going to feel guilty about not getting it right.
But you’ll feel guilty no matter what you do. Don’t believe the lie that only “good” moms stay home with their kids. As moms, we always feel like we’re not doing or “being” enough. You can work and be a good mom – two things can be true at the same time.
This is where you have to overcome the battle in your mind. Take captive every one of your thoughts and make them obedient to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). Set your mind on things above (see Colossians 3:2). Think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable (see Philippians 4:8).
Tip: Memorize Romans 12:2 or one or more of these referenced scriptures so that when you are worried or feeling weak, you can renew your mind and reframe your worries with truth and gratitude.
- Perfection is the enemy. You’ve GOT to let go of perfection. You are going to think you have to do it all – work your 40 hours and keep your house up to your SAHM-standards. You can’t.
I wish I had accepted this reality sooner. I spent so much brain energy stressing over my house, trying to keep up with my old, way-more-time-on-my-hands standards, and it made me miserable. The sooner you remind yourself that you’re doing your best, and that you’re not alone, the heavy burden of thinking it’s all on your shoulders will feel lighter.
This was probably the hardest for me – letting go of the imaginary perfect-mom-housewife expectations. Take a deep breath, that laundry will get done – eventually.
Tip: Get off of social media. Stop the doom-scrolling. Set a limit – whatever you have to do. Looking at pictures of perfectly put together homes will only make you feel less than. Replace your social media scrolling with something productive.
- Comparison won’t help you advance; it will only hold you back from what God has for only you to do (see Ephesians 2:10). You’ll see other moms at work who are (on the surface) crushing it, and you’ll wonder why you can’t be more like them – why are you so tired but they seem to have endless energy?!
Don’t compare your starting point to their middle. Remember, they’ve been doing it for much longer than you – and you never know what’s going on under the surface.
Truth – there will always be someone better, smarter, prettier, doing more, but then, you will always have it better than many others too. Your goal is not to compete against other working moms – or women, but to be better than the person you were yesterday.
Tip: Don’t try to do exactly what “they” are doing. It won’t work for you. Start with just one thing you can do that works for your life. They get up at 5 am every day, but you’re not a morning person? Good for them! Workout after work or walk during your lunch break. Find what works for you and stay at it.
Overcoming Fear & Finding Your Rhythm
Here’s the good news: you’re not starting from scratch. You’re stepping forward stronger. The skills that got you through sleepless nights and toddler meltdowns are the same ones that will make you thrive at work.
The best thing about coming back to work now as a mom? You can do anything that is put in front of you. You’ve been through the late-night feedings, the endless spit-up, blowouts, and lack of sleep—and all the crying—from your baby too (lol).
Multi-tasking? Coordinating several projects at once? Competing priorities? Your boss needs you to just figure it out?
No problem.
You’re more resourceful and creative and persistent than ever before, and the biggest impact on your work will be that you know it’s not all about you anymore. You won’t waste time on the things that don’t add value at work or in your life. You know where your priorities lie. You know your “why.” Being a mom puts you at a great advantage.
So what do you do when the guilt hits, the laundry piles up, and you’re running on caffeine and prayer?
You take it one day at a time.
Remember that you’re not alone.
God is with you. He will sustain you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Start small.
Give yourself grace.
Don’t try to conquer everything all at once. Anchor your days with scripture and prioritize reading your Bible every morning. You get this one thing right, and I promise you your days and your to-do lists will feel lighter. Your other priorities will fall into place.
You can do this – not because it’s easy and not because you are strong, but because He is (see 2 Corinthians 12:9) and He equips you for every season.
Final Thoughts
I remember sitting in my car after my first full day back at work, feeling so overwhelmed with fear of not getting it right — at work, at home, at being a mom. But then I remembered: God had carried me before, and He would carry me again.
One day at a time, the fog started to lift. Learning the job became easier, balancing the juggling act at home became more manageable, and I cared less and less about what others thought. It didn’t happen overnight. It took time, but slowly I started feeling like myself again.
That season was only a few short years ago, and it seems like I’ve come so far since then. But I can only tell you that I’m still learning and adjusting to whatever life throws at me. The only constant through it all has been God.
He is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (see Psalm 46:1). Look to Jesus and trust him.
Reflection
- What is your source of strength and your foundation in difficult times?
- What promises of God do you cling to when life is challenging?
- What Bible verse can you memorize and go back to when you’re feeling stressed?
- What one new habit can you put into place that will help you mentally prepare to go back to work?
- What unproductive habit do you need to stop?
- Who can you ask for help?
Are you nervous about going back to work and don’t know how you’re going to do it all? Are you exhausted by the weight of expectations? Find rest in Jesus (see Matthew 11:28-30). The burden of perfection is heavy; the standards of this world do not sustain. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. God’s got you.
Run your race on purpose. Stay faithful. Finish well.
Faithful Working Mom 