After nearly a decade of managing my household and raising my children, I am finally prepared to step back into the professional realm. It took a lot of persuasion to arrive at this decision; after all, who would want to hire someone who has grown accustomed to days without showering and who casually employs phrases like “snickerdoodle” as a fierce form of expression? Yet, here I am, trading in my yoga pants for a smart outfit, dusting off my briefcase, and pondering whether pantyhose are still a staple in modern workplaces.
Before my first day, my partner reminded me to avoid “mommy” behavior in everyday work situations. With apprehension about embarrassing myself, I made a mental checklist of behaviors to avoid:
- Avoid Threatening Colleagues with Time-Outs.
As tempting as it might be to threaten a co-worker with a time-out for inappropriate behavior, I have to wonder if human resources would intervene if I tried such a tactic in a corporate environment. Despite mastering the “disappointed mom” face, it might be best to keep that in check on my first day. - Don’t Overshare Praise.
I must resist the instinct to exclaim, “Wow, that’s amazing! Great job!” in response to any announcement from my superior, as this level of enthusiasm can easily be misconstrued as sarcasm by adults. This knee-jerk reaction, born from years of parenting, could lead to misunderstandings. - Refrain from Napkin-Wielding During Lunches.
Even if my colleague, Mike, is struggling to keep his food off his well-groomed beard, I must resist the urge to chase after crumbs with a tissue or, heaven forbid, saliva and a napkin. No, this is not acceptable workplace behavior! - Avoid Third-Person References.
I can envision it now—Lisa from across the aisle rolling her eyes at me for forgetting to refill the office printer, and my response being, “Emily doesn’t appreciate your comments, Lisa! Keep it up, and Emily might have to take action!” This behavior is simply unacceptable in a professional setting. - Leave the Sticker Charts at Home.
Despite the urge to implement a reward system to uplift team spirits, stickers are unlikely to inspire anyone over the age of nine. While my sticker charts worked wonders for potty training, I doubt that handing out gold stars during meetings would be taken seriously. After all, isn’t that what snacks in the break room are for? - Never Resort to Bribery.
No matter how tense the situation becomes, I must avoid any form of bribery, as this could lead to serious repercussions in the workplace. I highly doubt that a cheese stick or a handful of outdated jellybeans will motivate adults.
While the prospect of returning to work after years spent tending to my family excites me, I can’t help but feel a pang of anxiety about leaving my children in someone else’s care.
The day has finally arrived; I am equipped with a professional outfit, a packed lunch that doesn’t include yogurt tubes or juice boxes, and a hopeful mindset. I just hope I don’t embarrass myself with comments like, “Thank you for being so polite!”
If you are also considering taking this step, you might find valuable insights in our other blog post about navigating the journey of parenthood, such as this one. For further information on fertility and reproductive health, check out this resource, and for those looking into insemination kits, this guide is an authority on the topic.
In summary, transitioning back into the workforce after being a stay-at-home parent can be daunting, but with the right mindset and strategies, it’s possible to navigate this new chapter successfully.
Keyphrase: Transitioning Back to Work After Being a Stay-at-Home Parent
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