Are you stressed or overwhelmed by having to return to the workforce. Here are 5 strategies to successfully help you manage the situation.

1. Brought to you by
SWS Coaching
Emotional Health and Wellbeing coaching and resources
for women dealing with
high stress due to lack of self-worth and lack of
confidence in relationship issues.
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2. 5 Success Strategies for
Moms Returning to Work
By Deborah King, www.secretwomensstuff.com, Emotional Health and Wellbeing Coach

3. Coping with the stress of returning to work
In the current financial climate, meeting financial obligations is not
easy. In an ideal world, Dads work and Moms stay home with the
kids but it’s far from an ideal world and hasn’t been for a long time.
Returning to the workforce can be overwhelming, especially if you
haven’t worked outside the home for many years. The decision
affects not only yourself but your entire family, including extended
family (if they are included in the child care arrangements).
You need simple strategies you and your family can work with
during this important life transition. These strategies will also help if
you are a single Mom having to return to the workforce.
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4. So, you’re returning to the workforce
The hard part’s over, you’ve found yourself “another” job. Now all
you have to do is get there, get home again, get the kids looked
after, the meals cooked, housework done, then do it all again
tomorrow, and the next day and the next day……..EASY
These strategies assume you either have a job to return to or have
negotiated a new job outside the home
I also assume you have the co-operation of your
husband/partner/extended family to enable you to make this
transition
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5. 5 Success Strategies For
Moms Returning To The
Workforce
www.secretwomensstuff.com; www.facebook.com/pinkpowwow; www.pinterest.com/pinkpowwow

6. 1.Make arrangements for child care
This is important. As soon as you know you will be
returning to work, organise child care. It might even be a
good idea if you know what you will do even before
getting a job.
Suggestions: check out if there is a creche at your
workplace, child care centre, family members or friends
Discuss payment for child care or whether you can pay in
kind, ie. returning the favor or even bartering
Make sure you and everyone else is clear on these
arrangements
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7. 2. Organise transport
Decide how you’ll travel to work
Using public transport: make sure you know how long it
will take to get there and home again, including picking
up children if necessary
Allow for possible delays – leave home in plenty of time.
It doesn’t matter if you’re early – rather that than being
late – it shows you’ve made an effort
The first week may be stressful but remind yourself of
the positive reasons you are doing this
By the second week, things will start to get easier
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8. 3. Have a plan – get organised
Plan your wardrobe (clothes) – what will you
need?
Develop a roster for chores etc
Tell your family & friends you are returning to work
– they may be able to help when you most need it
Develop action plans – best case, worst case
scenarios
Openly discuss any fears with your family
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9. 4. Ask for help (if you need to)
Don’t panic – it won’t help you mentally,
emotionally or physically
Identify where you need help
Decide exactly what sort of help you need
Be clear on what you need from others
As in step 3, openly discussing your feelings
helps everyone understand what you’re going
through
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10. 5. Work on your mental, emotional, physical and
spiritual being
This is important – don’t ignore yourself because you’re
too busy “doing” for everyone else
Develop new habits of self care
Take things step by step, cross bridges as you get to
them
Please keep everything in perspective
And remember to B-R-E-A-T-H-E
(everything will be OK)
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11. And life goes on……..
You will get through this, you will cope. Women are capable,
intelligent, sexy, sassy beings but our downfall is doing too
much, giving too much, trying to be everything to everyone
then we get good at building things like walls – around
ourselves and particularly our hearts.
Speak up, don’t expect others to read your mind. Be real, be
passionate, be open, be ready because THIS IS LIFE. I have
been exactly where you are, I know what you are going
through and I wish you every success as you embark on this
new phase in your life.
For further information or to organize a health and wellbeing session go to
www.secretwomensstuff.com ; www.facebook.com/pinkpowwow ; www.pinterest.com/pinkpowwow