To working mummies... your maternity leave tips please

[kerry.finlay]

I'm on a 2 month countdown to returning to work in October... boo. But at just shy of a year off, I can't really complain.

Of course it's come around so quickly, and all those other cliches.

But when I'm sitting in my drab office 8 hours a day again, staring at a computer screen, I know I'll wish I'd done more.

So those of you who've been there, done that, got the regrets... what are your top 'make the most of your maternity leave' tips?

[ladywotlunches]

With weather like today, its got to be get out in the sunshine and enjoy long, lazy lunches with friends. When you get back to work you won't believe how short an hour is (if you're lucky enough to get a whole hour!)

[sanity girl]

Definitely just enjoy being able to socialise with other mums and babies and just spending time with your baby - at home, at the park, wherever! I am missing those mum and baby coffees and lunches now, and when the weather is like this I wish I could just be sitting in a nice shady spot in a park somewhere with a blanket and a few toys enjoying peaceful baby time!

[uptime]

I had my first day back at work today after 8 and a half months off. I was really looking forward to it but by 4pm I was clock watching and I practically ran home from the station so I could put my baby to bed! Anyway, the thing that I didn't do which I wish I had done was go to the mother and baby cinema screenings. The chances of me having the time to go to the flicks now are zero. Appreciate that you might want to wait until the weather turns though.

[crystal7]

Agree with the baby cinema, I used to go even if the film didn't look amazing and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed doing things in central London, Diana Memorial Plaground, Coram's Fields, Science Museum. I work 3 days now but on my days 'off' there always seems to be too much to do to leave ED.

[Moos]

This is going to cement my reputation as Bad Mummy of the forum, but one thing you will find time for if it kills you is playing with your baby, putting your baby to bed, and so on. Your life will soon become bouncing between getting enough time at work and getting enough time at home - it can be fun, and it can be a great balance between the job you like and the baby you love, but...

...what you won't have time for is You. So my advice is have lunch, have coffee, have a pedicure, get a haircut, read a book while bubs is sleeping.

Oh, and either get super-organised with laundry, housework and so on, or get used to the mess and ignore it.

Best of luck. It does work, honest.

[verds]

I agree - you won't have any time for yourself! Use the time to have a wardrobe sort-out. That will also make mornings easier, when you've got two people to get dressed.

And go to the South Bank beach and other places outside East Dulwich so that when you have the odd day of work you won't feel so bad about just having a relax.

And then look forward to work, where you can drink a whole cup of tea while it's still hot!

Good luck.

[Beany]

My days at work are characterised by rushing - rushing to give bubs some milk, rushing to get her dressed and rushing to get out in time. So my recommendation is to take it slowly while you can! Stay in your PJs and roll about on the bed with the LO as long as you like, then amble about and meet mummy friends, have picnics etc...

Also, yes, try to get a bit of you time!! Sometimes we feel guilty going back to work - and so forget about our own needs altogether.

So, enjoy your return to work - undisturbed coffee and loo breaks hopefully!

[womanofdulwich]

try to do other things than baby things - keep up with arts/ news/ sports so that when you go out with work people you dont talk about being a mum all the time. they hate it, they really do.

[sandy_rose]

Take afternoon naps!

[Moos]

Enjoy your relatively calm & ordered life. Try to live in the moment. And don't forget to book that last free dentist checkup!

[kerry.finlay]

great tips ladies :-)

thank you

i shall become a lazy layabout who siestas in the park all afternoon!