Returning to work after a baby can feel both familiar and utterly foreign. You may find yourself overwhelmed, exhausted, and even questioning who you are. Rest assured, you are not alone.

Recent surveys show that up to 94% of new mums feel nervous about returning to work thehrdirector.com, and most of them (97%) end up working extra hours off the clock thehrdirector.com.

Many mothers realise that their old career path no longer fits their new life – one study found 87% of working moms said parenthood cost them promotions or opportunities, and 90% have adjusted their career path due to having children hrdive.com.

*Work as if you do not have children and parent like you do not have a job*

Anxiety & Burnout: Juggling work and family takes a heavy toll. In one survey, 67% of mums reported feeling exhausted and burnt out juggling these roles momsfirst.us.
Almost all new mothers describe feeling anxious
94% felt nervous returning after leave thehrdirector.com
97% admit they had to check in on work during personal time thehrdirector.com.
Invisible & Undervalued: 65% of returning mothers fear they’ll be “out of the loop” at work thehrdirector.com.

In practice, many feel invisible. I have heard this far too many time in my coaching “I am not giving 100% to my work… a mediocre mother and not good enough at work” . A gut-wrenching sign of how invisible their transformations are becoming. A comment from Jo Reeves from Mama’s Flightpath Podcast that stuck with me was ‘Work as if you do not have children and parent like you do not have a job’.
Career Misalignment: Motherhood often brings new values. Dr. Giselle Goodwin describes it as a “powerful tug toward something more meaningful” mamasflightpath.com. It’s common to feel that your purpose has shifted. (Not surprisingly, 79% of new mums in another study say flexible hours would help them most thehrdirector.com, underscoring that yesterday’s full-time model often no longer fits.)
Systemic Barriers: Importantly, none of this is your fault. The difficulty isn’t that you’re not trying hard enough – it’s that the system wasn’t built for modern motherhood. As Dr. Goodwin bluntly puts it: “I felt broken trying to go back and be the same person after maternity leave. But I wasn’t broken. The system is.”mamasflightpath.com. UK data backs this up: only about 24% of women even attempt to return to full-time work after babies, and of those, 79% end up leaving within 2 years because it’s impossible to juggle full-time hours and childcare wearethecity.com.

The reality for many new mothers is that they’re expected to climb a mountain with little support. As I describe it, “returning to work can feel like a iceberg – above the sea level there are all the transactional things to do but underneath the surface we are experiencing identity shifts, sleep deprivation, emotional load which we often leave untouched”mamasflightpath.com. In other words, the old landscape of your career has changed beneath your feet. Workplaces often don’t recognise the huge transformation you’ve undergone – your perspectives, values and priorities. That’s why many mothers find themselves without clear direction or support, caught between the person they were and the parent they’ve become.

Introducing the Return Reset™ – Your SHINE Pathway

You can change course. Instead of plowing back into “business as usual,” you might consider a Return Reset™, a conscious reboot of your work-life plan. This coaching-led process (now available as a free journal on Mama’s Flightpath mamasflightpath.com) guides you through reflection and realignment. It’s built around the SHINE framework:

S – Self : Start by rediscovering who you are now. What matters most to you? Your core values and strengths may have shifted; acknowledging this isn’t a weakness, it’s wisdom. Clarifying your purpose can reignite passion. (Remember, 98% of new mums want to work in some way wearethecity.com, but we often need to redefine how and why we work.)
H – Heart: Give yourself permission to feel. As a new mama, we often carry guilt, fear, and doubt. By intentionally naming these emotions – whether joy at being back, anxiety about leaving the baby, or grief over your old career identity – you reduce their power. Honor that it’s normal to have mixed feelings about this big life transition.
I – Intention: Decide where you’re heading. What do you want your work life to look like now? Is it a flexible schedule, a new role, or a different career entirely? Maybe you don’t want to work right now. Set clear intentions that align with your updated values. Having this vision creates direction and hope.
N – Navigate: Identify realistic strategies and boundaries that make your career sustainable. For example, negotiate for flexibility, say no to 24/7 availability, or plan reliable childcare. (The research is clear: 79% of returning mothers name flexible hours as the top support they need thehrdirector.com.) This step is about building a practical map: how can you fit work around your life, instead of life around work?
E – Empower: Finally, take action. Small, consistent steps build confidence and momentum. Empower yourself by celebrating wins – like asking for that part-time arrangement or speaking up about your needs. With each step, you reclaim your power and professional identity.

By following SHINE, you’re not left guessing – you have a coach-guided process to reflect, reset, and realign your journey. My clients kind words evidence that this support makes all the difference. For example, one mum shared: “Jools’ kindness and exceptional listening offered the space I needed, she supported me with compassion and insight.” mamasflightpath.com This kind of empathetic, expert guidance can turn confusion into clarity.

Your Next Steps: Take Flight with Jools

You deserve a work-life built to fit you, not the other way around. I am a certified coach and working mum here to walk along side you with whatever you bring. I bring “over a decade of career guidance, high-level coaching credentials, and lived experience” to help you navigate this season with clarity and confidence mamasflightpath.com. In short, I know this journey inside out and can help you write a new chapter.

Ready to start? Download the free Return Reset™ Journal from Mama’s Flightpath mamasflightpath.com. It’s a practical first step toward clarity, with guided journal prompts to uncover your priorities and plan your path. When you’re ready to go deeper, consider booking a 1:1 coaching session with Jools. In her sessions, you get a safe, supportive space to untangle the knots that are holding you back so you can move forward with with alignment and not on auto pilot.

Remember: the workplace wasn’t designed for mothers, but you were. You have insights, strength and creativity that only a mother brings. With compassionate coaching and a clear framework, you can reclaim your power and shape a career and life that enrich each other and truly fits who you are now.

Take flight today – download your free journal at mamasflightpath.com mamasflightpath.com and reach out to me for the support you need.

🎧 Tune into the latest episode of Mama’s Flightpath Podcast where we talk to Real Mama’s who have experienced this journey and expert insights.

Rediscover Your Purpose: A Return Reset™ for New Mums

Introducing the Return Reset™ – Your SHINE Pathway

Your Next Steps: Take Flight with Jools

✨ From Mama to Mission: How Motherhood Sparked Dr. Rebecca Troy’s Movement

Mama’s Flightpath