Maternity leave lasts sixteen weeks for a first or second child in France. It goes by quickly. The return to work often comes just as the family routine has begun to stabilize, and it requires concrete preparation rather than simply putting a date on the calendar.
What to prepare beforehand
Three areas are worth addressing in advance. They are not emotional matters and can be handled with enough time.
Childcare and the adjustment period
The choice of childcare is often made several months in advance, as we explain in our article on childcare in France. The adjustment period, however, needs to be planned separately.
It generally lasts one to two weeks, with gradually increasing separation times. Scheduling this period before the actual return to work avoids having to deal with two new experiences on the same day.
Gradually adjusting schedules
A child used to waking up at eight o'clock will struggle to leave at seven thirty overnight. Shifting schedules by fifteen-minute increments over two weeks makes the transition smoother.
Nap routines also change in group childcare. Our article on organizing naps can help you anticipate this new routine.
Feeding
Returning to work does not necessarily mean stopping breastfeeding. French labor law provides dedicated time for breastfeeding during the child's first year.
The arrangements should be discussed with the employer and vary depending on the facilities available. Our article on breastfeeding outlines the key points to keep in mind.
The first few weeks
The period following a return to work is rarely linear. It is useful to know this before experiencing it.
Night wakings may return
Many children seek more contact in the evening after a day apart. This need to reconnect is temporary and does not undo the progress they had previously made.
The quality of the bond matters more than the number of hours spent together, as shown in our article on secure attachment.
Childcare-related infections
Starting group childcare is often accompanied by a succession of colds during the first few months. Planning a backup solution for days when the child must stay home avoids having to improvise in an emergency.
Organizing everyday logistics
Time is rarely lost where you expect it. Three adjustments can save a great deal of it.
Packing the bags the night before, including your own, eliminates the need to make decisions in the morning. Keeping duplicate essential items at home and at the childcare location avoids unnecessary trips back and forth.
Finally, explicitly dividing tasks between both parents prevents them from automatically falling to just one of them. This dynamic is described in our article on parental mental load.
Making time to reconnect
Coming home is often the busiest part of the day. Setting aside fifteen minutes on the floor with your child before starting dinner changes the tone of the evening.
A play area that is already set up, such as an unfolded play mat, eliminates setup time. Our product approach is explained on our about page.
