The Taskful Mom: Navigating the Reality of Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

You’ve mastered midnight feedings, learned to decode a hundred different baby cries, and survived days fuelled solely by coffee and love. Now, the next big milestone is here: going back to work.

For many moms in Canada, returning to work after maternity leave is a mix of excitement, dread, guilt, and hope, all tangled together. You might be wondering: Will I still be good at my job? Will I miss my baby too much? Will my workplace understand this new version of me?

This transition is about more than just walking back into your office. It’s about reshaping your life, your routines, and your identity in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

The Emotional Landscape of Returning to Work

No matter how much you love your job, the moment you hand your baby to a caregiver for the first time can feel like your heart is being pulled in two directions. Many moms describe an invisible weight, mom guilt returning to work after maternity leave, that lingers even when they know they’re making the right choice for their family.

And it’s not just the emotions. The logistics can be exhausting: securing childcare months in advance, adjusting to new routines, and sometimes facing workplaces that aren’t fully prepared to support new parents.

The truth? You’re not alone. Research shows most Canadian moms wish for more structured return-to-work plans, yet many are left to figure it out themselves. That’s why building community and accessing the right resources can be a game-changer.

Practical Strategies for a Smoother Transition

Here are a few steps that can help you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed:

1. Plan childcare early.
   Spaces can be limited, and starting your search months ahead can ease last-minute stress. If possible, arrange short “practice” days so your child can adjust gradually before your first full workday.
2. Create a routine before you return.
   Morning rushes, evening wind-downs, and even your commute feel different with a baby in the mix. Trial runs can help everyone in the household find their rhythm.
3. Ask about a phased return.
   A gradual return to work approach, starting with part-time hours or reduced duties, can give you space to adjust emotionally and physically. Even small accommodations can make a big difference to your well-being.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

While schedules and childcare are important, your emotional health matters just as much. Going back to work can feel like losing the daily closeness you’ve had with your baby. It can also stir up anxiety about whether you’re “doing enough” at home or at work.

Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s survival. Whether it’s therapy, joining a support group, or carving out quiet moments for yourself, giving attention to your mental health will help you navigate the transition with more clarity and less guilt.

For breastfeeding parents, returning to work also brings practical challenges. Breastfeeding at work in Canada policies vary, and some workplaces still lack private spaces or flexible breaks. Knowing your rights and planning ahead can make this process smoother.

What Real Support Looks Like

Ideally, workplaces should offer:

• Honest conversations before your return date about your needs and expectations
• Flexible hours, remote work options, or job-sharing arrangements
• A gradual return to work plan that eases you back into your role
• An understanding that your identity as both a mother and a professional matters

But when workplaces fall short, that’s where counselling, peer groups, and specialized workshops can step in to fill the gap.

The Taskful Mom: More Than a Workshop

At Be Free Counselling and Wellness, we know the transition from maternity leave to returning back to your career isn’t just about “picking up where you left off.” It’s about stepping into a new chapter — one that asks you to balance career ambitions with the demands of motherhood, while taking care of yourself in the process.

That’s exactly why we created The Taskful Mom, a 90-minute, in-person group experience for mothers returning to work after maternity leave.

Together, we will:

• Create a safe, empowering space to explore the truth and reality of going back to work
• Talk openly about the emotional ups and downs of this transition
• Share strategies for managing mom guilt and finding balance
• Explore ways to advocate for flexibility and workplace support
• Build connections with other moms who truly understand

✨ During this session, you’ll also receive professional guidance from a licensed Mental Health Therapist who will help you work through expectations, debunk myths, and replace fears with facts.

And here’s something important: All attendees will receive a signed receipt that can be used for insurance reimbursement through your benefits provider.

Event Details

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, August 27 · 9:30 – 11:00 AM EDT
📍 Location: 260 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON (Free parking available)
🎟 Cost: $75 (Insurance receipts available)
👩‍👩‍👧 Who it’s for: Moms in Canada preparing to return to work after maternity leave

“I cannot wait to connect with women on this next chapter of their life. It is scary and isolating and very often dismissed. I am hoping to break this belief and offer women a place where they can be informed. Where they can feel advocated for and most importantly, offer a space where they can feel seen.” – Alena, Be Free Counselling & Wellness

You Deserve Support in This Transition

Going back to work after maternity leave isn’t just about showing up at your desk on Monday morning, it’s about finding a new balance that honours you, your family, and your career. With preparation, emotional support, and a community that understands, you can step into this next chapter with confidence.

➡ Reserve your spot for The Taskful Mom here, or contact us at reception@befreecounselling.ca to learn more about how Be Free can support you through this important life change.

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