21/11/2025
A full circle (and pinch me) moment…
In 2017, I returned to work from maternity leave for the first time and it was bloody hard on so many levels. I wasn’t prepared for the battle for flexibility, the guilt and the extreme emotion. And I had no idea where to turn for support.
In 2019 I did it for a second time - better, but still hard, plus I was feeling resentful of still being with an unsupportive employer. I also discovered , learnt all about the motherhood penalty and it lit a fire in my belly.
So getting the opportunity to meet with someone whose work I have followed and admired for years, really meant a lot! ✨
We talked about the lack of support when mums are retuning to work and how I might contribute to her amazing .uk support programme.
Also education, how inflexible the world of teaching can be and how many experienced female teachers are leaving the profession as a result. Thankfully the is doing fantastic work to address this, including funded support for parents.
For any mum standing at the edge of returning to work, navigating confidence wobbles, self doubt and identity shifts, you are not alone!
My modest contribution is The Relaxed Return, a workshop designed to support women feel calm, confident and in control as they prepare to return to work from maternity leave. If you’re Nottingham-based, the next workshop is taking place 18th January (details in my bio).
Definitely feeling a renewed sense of purpose and grateful for the inspiring women leading the way. It really is needed! 🙌🏽
