You’re a new parent and now the world needs you to get back to your pre-child state and return to work. (Cruel World!) So how will you manage? Beyond the obvious feelings of loss because you have to spend hours (8+) away from your new most favorite thing. This is borderline torture for a new parent, but rest assured, you will survive. You are consumed with a range emotions. This is normal.

Time does change parenting styles, but there are some constants. Use these tactics to get a sense of how others have survived, but please make it your own. There is no routine that is harder to stick to than something that does not feel authentic and true to you. Apply this authentic experience across all your parenting strategies — after all this is your life with children.

Schedules

You are probably quickly learning that a schedule is a constant. You are correct and getting this right will save you from headaches. Take the guesswork out of travel times, feeding times and more by creating a schedule. Even if this is a personal schedule that you don’t share with anyone, create a schedule that accounts for every aspect of your day with baby while at home. Then take that schedule and open it up, adding in time for showering in the morning, dressing routine (iron, I’ll pass) and time it takes to get baby fed, dressed and ready. Remember to consider how long your new route to work will take you. If your job has an official start time, padding your schedule so that it allows times for drop-offs and proper child send-offs (full of kisses) is recommended.

Pro Tip: Schedule in 10 minutes of morning cuddle times with baby. You’re going to do it anyway, might as well make time for it so you are not rushed when it is time to leave for work.

Communication Plan

Now that you are at work all day, the way you communicate with your family and caregiver should be discussed. If you are able, ask your caregiver to set up a text/chat group with you alone or including your partner. This will be the baby lifeline. Most caregivers are more than happy to assist with the “new-parent” transition. Ask for photos in your chat, but please manage your expectations. Three photos is a lot for someone actually caring for children. Ask for moments during specific times that you know are down times, like nap-time photos. That way this can become a routine and not only a temporary first-week thing because of the constant demand.

Dinner discussions with your partner? You will see how important it is to flesh out those details before leaving for the day. Plant the seeds for dinner plans during lunch. The best route would be to plan out your weekly meals on Sunday, but again who can keep up with that. Text or call your S/O (significant other) early so you can map out your drive home and make time for grocery runs.

Better Days are Coming

Those days are named Saturday and Sunday. There is a reason why Fridays are celebrated and Sundays have been renamed as "fundays." These are your days, now as a parent, to lead your best life. On those days, your only concern is the favorite concern — your littles and family. Giving yourself a reason to look forward to the weekend will help with the unavoidable work week burnout. Saturday could include a mommy and baby tumble class, or maybe a family swim. Plan activities that allow you to build family bonds and create early memories to keep your sanity intact.

Another big must — self-care time. However, that may look to you, go for it. Maybe it is time alone or time with your S/O. Whatever your self-care dictates, it is important to make time for this activity, at the very least, bi-weekly. Your new life will consume you. Putting yourself last all the time will get tiring, so combat this by making time for yourself and making this a priority.

Let’s be honest, working parents have their work cut out for them. Ease as much stress as you can by being prepared. Not the fake prepared — the realistic, one-day at a time prepared. That way, you are not missing that new coo your little one is making, aka life’s important stuff.