Returning to work after maternity leave or after spending a few years at home with the is a big transition period with many changes to manages. Listed below are several strategies that be kept in mind, so that you feel in control and competent. Create your packing list. You will quickly learn that if you have a list of things to pack, you will feel more confident and less stressed in the morning. You will feel confident walking out the door and not nervous that you forgot something. If you were not a list-maker before you had a baby, it is worth becoming one. Plan a short day trip with it is like to pack up your baby. It will feel like you are heading out to work. Get yourself ready first and then get the baby ready. Feed her breakfast, get her dressed, pack up her things and then head out. While you are at it, time yourself to see how long this takes you. Once you are out of the door, go enjoy yourself for the day. You may feel a bit tired, but it is surely a nice test run and get to have fun with your little one for the morning. Try a trial run, both for you and your child. Schedule a day with your child care provider to do a trial run. Drop your child off for a new hours. You would not feel the pressure you may feel about, for example, shopping, haircut and so on. When you pick up your child, schedule some time to visit and help your child adjust to a new caregiver. Make sleep a priority. Your first week back will probably be draining, no matter how prepared you are. Go to bed as soon as possible. Prioritize ruthlessly. Working parents need to aim to be brutally efficient. To help be ruthless about it, identify the few key tasks that must be completed to get you speed at work. Do not be hard on yourself. You never know for sure how will feel during your transitional challenge, but do not make any hasty decisions about your future in the very first week. Instead, notice how you feel and what you like or dislike. Store these observations for later reflection. If uneasy feelings persist after a few weeks, you may want to change your work or care situation. Give yourself a reward for a job well done. After all of this planning and transition, you deserve a treat.