Maternity leave! Depending on who you ask, it’s either blissful or nightmarish. The one consistent quality that maternity leave seems to possess is that it’s always too short! It can be tricky making sure you’ve absolutely made the most of your allocated parental leave, so to help you out, we’ve put together a list of things you should focus on during your maternity leave. Read on to ensure you’re spending this precious time doing the things that really matter.
Stay active
We recommend that you start with your baby joggers first before you get back on any treadmills. However, if you’re a first-time parent, chances are quite high you haven’t even had the mental energy to think about embarking on a trip to your gym. The first-ever hurdle to being a new parent is rediscovering your ‘me time’, and by extension, finding the time to stay fit and active. But the fantastic thing about having a baby is that you can easily work morning strolls into your daily schedule and then – once you and your baby are feeling ready – move on up to brisk jogs with a quality active pram or stroller. In fact, there are actually an array of different ways you can be active as a new parent, and some can be enjoyed in the company of your home. It’s all about finding what works best for you.
Visit friends
It’s totally natural to miss being at work and eating lunch with your colleagues. But having a new baby should by no means turn you into a hermit. You should encourage yourself to take your baby out in a stroller equipped with a canopy to ensure that you can feel free to visit a little corner cafe during baby’s nap time rather than stay at home all on your own. But if your baby’s still too young for lengthy outings, you could consider asking your outside support (like your parents and in-laws) to babysit so you could have an afternoon out, or potentially even ask some of your friends and loved ones to come and visit you in your home. It’s recommended that you do set some house rules for your visitors prior to their arrival, however, just to ensure that you and your baby stay comfortable during this delicate period of time.
Get creative
A lot of new mums experience a fair amount of anxiety during their parental leave periods, simply because navigating the new territory that is parenthood can be incredibly difficult, especially if your partner’s at work and you’re in the zone all on your own. It’s a good rule of thumb to try and leave the house once a day or, failing that, do something that makes you feel like you. Head to a craft store and buy some watercolour pencils and a sketchpad, or some small canvases, and do a little bit of light drawing or painting wherever you can. Allowing yourself to be creative in your own time can be a fantastic way of practising mindfulness in even the most chaotic daily schedule.
Family time
Finally, it’s not just enough to take some time for yourself alone. It’s vital that you and your immediate family spend some quality family time together at least once a week. If your partner’s working full-time hours, this time will most likely be on the weekends. Which is fantastic! All you need to do is look for family-friendly activities that are taking place in your locality. Websites and forums like your local council pages and What’s On in Melbourne can be wonderful resources when it comes to finding family-friendly activities.
Even if you’re able to follow all these tips and tricks, there will most likely still be days where you’ll feel like the time is just passing you by. But these are your baby’s first few magical days in this world, and it’s up to you as their parent to cherish every single moment, even the ones that may be tough for you. And take comfort in the fact that your loved ones will surely take time out to support you in turn.
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