Returning to work after maternity leave is a significant transition for any mother, but stepping into a new role adds a unique set of challenges. For many, it’s not just about picking up where they left off but navigating entirely new responsibilities, dynamics, and expectations. Maturn spoke to nine women leaders who navigated the return to work in a different role and they shared with us their experiences, challenges and advice.
One common challenge is the feeling of starting over, even in familiar environments. Ellen, who returned to a similar role with new responsibilities, shared, “I was surprised by how much I had to relearn despite years of experience. It felt like I was starting from scratch, and I felt this intense pressure to prove that I could handle everything—being a good mother and excelling at work.”
For others, the return to work is accompanied by a shift in personal values, which creates tension between professional commitments and the need to prioritize family. Christine reflected on her experience, saying, “I didn’t realize how much my values had changed until I was back at work. I struggled with setting boundaries, which led to burnout. I wanted to be there for my family, but I also felt obligated to give 110% at work.”
Balancing new professional responsibilities with personal life is another challenge many mothers cited. Lindsay, who stepped into a high-intensity role as an event director, recalled “leading a multi-day conference while managing two young kids was overwhelming. I pushed through long hours, but it took a toll on my health. Finding balance was nearly impossible.”
Denise spoke about grieving the loss of her previous role while adjusting to new responsibilities as a working mother. “I felt a deep discomfort navigating the unknown in a new role while also handling the pressures of motherhood. It was one of the most challenging periods, but looking back, I see how much I grew during that time.”
Laura, who returned to work at a new company, described the emotional complexity of her transition: “I was eager to prove myself to my new team, but I also felt a pang of guilt every time I missed a milestone in my child’s life. It’s hard to balance those competing priorities.”
Amanda, who returned to work after 12 years of self-employment, shared her unique challenges. “When I returned to work, I wasn’t only in a new role at a new company, but I was also returning to regular employment after 12 years of working for myself. The idea of having a job where I could focus on a functional role (and performing that role well!) as opposed to stressing about running a business was incredibly appealing. On the flip side, working for someone else for the first time in over a decade was incredibly daunting. Would I be a good employee? Would I feel a loss of independence? And more than anything, could I still do the work after years of being an entrepreneur? It took me a few months to shake off the ‘scaries,’ but once I did, I knew I was in the right place. I feel really lucky to work somewhere that is both supportive and flexible, so I can enjoy my work and feel unapologetic about being a parent.”
Joanne faced challenges after both her maternity leaves, stepping into significantly different roles each time. “The first time, I was frustrated to be placed in a smaller role. The second time, I had to navigate a business separation. In both cases, I had to advocate for myself to ensure I had a role that was meaningful.”
Recommendations from Women Leaders for a Successful Transition
Navigating the return to work in a new role can be overwhelming, and so here are some recommendations from Maturn contributors on how to ease the transition.
Do’s:
- Do Communicate Early: As Laura suggests, “Plan the logistics around childcare and commute ahead of time, and communicate early with your leader to understand the new role’s expectations.” This helps set the stage for a smoother transition.
- Do Advocate for Yourself: Joanne emphasizes, “Advocate for yourself and proactively reach out to ensure your role is meaningful and aligned with your career goals.” Being proactive about your needs and career aspirations can make a significant difference.
- Do Set Boundaries: Christine advises, “Be clear about your values and don’t feel pressured to prove yourself. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial to avoid burnout.” Boundaries are essential for managing both professional and personal responsibilities.
- Do Prioritize Self-Care: Lindsay highlights the importance of health, saying, “Prioritize your health and find ways to ease back into work, such as gradually increasing your work hours.” Taking care of yourself ensures you can perform well in both your role as a mother and as a professional.
- Do Seek Support: “Having a supportive team and asking for help from your partner, family, or network can make a big difference,” says Amy. Don’t hesitate to lean on your support network during this transition.
Don’ts:
- Don’t Try to Do It All: Ellen cautions against putting too much pressure on yourself. “I felt this intense pressure to prove that I could handle everything—being a good mother and excelling at work. It’s important to recognize that you don’t have to do it all at once.”
- Don’t Ignore Your Changed Priorities: “I didn’t realize how much my values had changed until I was back at work,” says Christine. Don’t overlook the shift in your priorities. Acknowledge them and make adjustments as needed.
- Don’t Neglect Communication: Laura notes the importance of early communication. “Failing to communicate your needs or concerns early on can lead to misunderstandings and added stress.”
- Don’t Rush the Transition: “Finding balance was nearly impossible,” recalls Lindsay. Don’t rush back into full-time work if it’s not necessary. A gradual return can help you find your footing.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Reevaluate Your Career Path: Marsha reflects, “It’s okay to prioritize family when needed. Career paths can be flexible to accommodate different life stages.” Don’t hesitate to make career adjustments if they better align with your new priorities.
Tips for Preparing to Return to Work
As these mothers have shared, the journey back to work in a new role can be challenging, but there are strategies that can help ease the transition:
- Stay Connected: Ellen found that keeping in touch with colleagues and staying updated on work developments during her leave made her return smoother, reducing the feeling of starting from scratch.
- Set Clear Boundaries: Christine emphasizes the importance of being clear about your values and not feeling pressured to prove yourself. This can help in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and avoiding burnout.
- Take Care of Yourself: For Lindsay, prioritizing health and finding ways to ease back into work, such as gradually increasing work hours, proved beneficial in managing the demands of a new role.
- Manage Expectations: Denise suggests setting realistic goals and being gentle with yourself as you adjust to both a new role and the responsibilities of being a working mother.
- Plan Ahead: Laura advises planning logistics around childcare and commute ahead of time, and communicating early with your leader to understand the new role’s expectations.
- Seek Support: Amy’s story highlights the importance of having a supportive team and asking for help from your partner, family, or network, especially during the early weeks of transitioning back to work.
- Self-Advocate: Joanne’s experience underscores the need to advocate for yourself and proactively reach out to ensure your role is meaningful and aligned with your career goals.
- Evaluate Your Priorities: Marsha’s journey reminds us that it’s okay to prioritize family when needed and that career paths can be flexible to accommodate different life stages.
- Be Patient with Yourself: Amanda recommends patience and self-compassion. “Be patient and non-judgmental of yourself. Remember, you didn’t know how to be a parent until you were one, and you figured that out. You’ll figure this out, too.” She also emphasizes the value of exploring alternative return-to-work schedules, which can ease the transition for the entire family.
Conclusion
Returning to work in a new role after maternity leave is a journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and the right support system. These stories highlight the importance of easing into the transition, setting realistic expectations, and leaning on the resources and people around you. Remember, it’s okay to give yourself grace and recognize that you are navigating both a new role at work and a new role as a mother.
At Maturn, we understand these challenges and are here to help. Whether it’s through our coaching programs, community support, or practical resources, we’re committed to empowering mothers like you. Embrace this new chapter with confidence, knowing that you have the strength and resilience to succeed—and Maturn is here to support you every step of the way.
Contributing Authors:
- Ellen Wheeler – Vice President of Sales at Alive Publishing Group
- Christine Mayston – Vice President, Member Experience at Vancity
- Lindsay Chan – Vice President, Marketing & Communications at B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE)
- Denise Jolley – Senior Manager, Wholesale Business Process at Arc’teryx Equipment
- Laura Marescu – Director, People Operations & Total Rewards at O2E Brands
- Amy Tailby – Senior Benefits Program Manager at OpenText
- Joanne Bolt – Co-Founder and Co-Host at Decarbonated (Podcast)
- Marsha D’Angelo – Founder & Principal at Apostrophe
- Amanda Haines Lazeski – Director of Communications at PUBLiSH Partners
