What is Maternity Leave Coaching?

For those who are self-employed, taking time off work can be… complicated. But just because your work situation is different than those with “traditional” employment doesn’t mean that parental leave is any less important.

Importance of maternity leave: what we know

More and more individuals and organizations are taking up the cause of paid maternity leave for all American parents because of the overwhelming evidence of its long-term benefits for infants, families, and all parents. These include:

• Better mental health outcomes for mothers

• Better long-term health outcomes for infants

• Prolonged breastfeeding for families who choose to feed their infants this way

But as important as it can be and as much as parents want to take time off, it can feel impossible for those without paid leave benefits. This is where maternity leave coaching comes in.

Concerns for freelancers and business owners

Maternity leave coaches are there to guide you through making a thoughtful maternity leave plan so you can do just that — take some time away from the day-to-day operations of your business. It is possible, especially with a lot of planning and support.

One reason maternity leave coaching is so important is that just like each person and family is different, so is each parent’s situation when it comes to taking time off work for a new baby. Because of this, it is likely that you will have few examples of how to navigate your specific set of circumstances. This is all the more true for those who are self-employed, who freelance, or who might not have any leave benefits with their job.

Our maternity leave coaches are self-employed and have maintained successful businesses while also taking ample time off for parental leave. They can take a close look into your personal situation and help explore questions like:

Will I lose all my clients and all my business?

How in the world will I pull this off?

How long should I take off?

How much do I need to save?

Is it possible to keep any income coming in while I am away?

How does it work?

Typically, maternity leave and parental leave coaching with Baby Caravan takes place in one powerful session that leaves you with a practical action plan to put into place and begin using immediately. A questionnaire will be completed ahead of time that will allow your coach to gain insight into your options and various ways to get creative and serious about making things work. Sessions are held via phone or video call.

Importance of a smooth transition back to work

New parents struggle with returning to work after parental leave time because their lives have completely changed, yet in many cases, their work commitments haven’t. Even the simple act of getting from point A to point B to begin work each morning can feel like a complicated feat to accomplish. Having someone who has been there and who has supported many parents to make the transition can go a long way in easing the blow. And in the midst of learning an entirely new way of life, having someone point out ideas and options to try can make all the difference.

For so many people, their job is something they love and an important part of their identity. A person’s career often means so much to them and represents a lot of hard work and pride. Plus, as a new parent you are probably very reliant on your income, now more than ever. A successful transition back to work improves the likelihood that a new parent will maintain their employment, especially for mothers.

Return to work concerns

Sadly, returning to work after maternity leave is a lot more complicated than leaving your little one with a nanny or at daycare each morning. Maternity leave return to work coaching helps to provide support for a wide range of concerns including:

-How will I keep expressing milk or breastfeeding?

-How am I going to make my new morning and evening routines work?

-What’s better; a day care, or a nanny?

-How will my partner and I split our new responsibilities?

-Will my team or manager be supportive of my new reality?

-How can I ask for greater flexibility at work? Is that fair to everyone else?

-What if I miss my baby too much?

-Will I be able to socialize with my co-workers outside of the office like I used to?

Asking for support always matters

Baby Caravan offers one-on-one return to work coaching sessions via Zoom. These 60-minute calls are a great way to allow someone with extensive knowledge about navigating the return to work path to take a deep dive into the many options and possibilities at your disposal, all while providing objective, loving support for your journey ahead. 

Asking for support is a valuable skill that you will learn as a parent. Allowing yourself to receive some expert guidance at the beginning of your journey will set a great foundation for many years of giving and accepting in the future. 

Ready to book? Get on a time on a calender here. 

More about planning for maternity leave:

Going back to work: how much stash do I need?

What is the Difference Between a Postpartum Doula and A Baby Nurse?

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