Time to Trade in the Sweatsuit for a Blazer: My Return to Work After Maternity Leave

After a year of cuddles, playdates, and endless diaper changes, the time has come to trade in my sweatsuit for a blazer. Maternity leave is officially over, and I’m heading back to work. But this time, the transition feels different—much different.

When I returned to work after my first maternity leave, I was eager for the adult conversations, the chance to get dressed up, and the sense of purpose that work brought. I knew that, in a little while, my husband and I would be starting the journey of trying for another baby, so I viewed my return as temporary. It was a short break before diving back into the beautiful chaos of motherhood.

Now? We’re a family of four. And unless there’s a surprise baby waiting in the wings, I think we’re done. This time, my return to work feels like a new chapter, one that I know will be filled with challenges as I balance a career, two kids, and everything else in between.

Am I excited? Yes, in a way. There’s something so fulfilling about getting back to work, using my mind to problem solve in a different way, and having a space to call my own. But I’m also a little nostalgic for the simplicity of the last year—the quiet mornings with my babies, the unhurried afternoons spent in the park, and the feeling of being completely in tune with my little ones.

How do working moms balance it all? I’m really asking—how do you manage the juggling act? I want to be a present mama while still pursuing my career, but I know it won’t be easy. Some days, I know I’ll feel like I’m being pulled in a thousand different directions. But I also know I’ll find my way—just as so many other moms do.

Motherhood - please share your advice. While the future may seem a little overwhelming right now, I’m ready to embrace this next step, with all its messy, beautiful moments.