Daycare drop-off after maternity leave checklist
The first daycare drop-off after maternity leave can make the whole workday wobble.
You can love your child, trust the carers, and still cry in the car park. The aim is not to feel fine. The aim is to reduce the number of decisions you have to make while your heart is loud.
The night before
Pack the bag before dinner if you can. Put the spare clothes, nappies, milk, forms, comfort item, and your own work badge near the door.
The morning script
Use one sentence with your baby and one sentence with yourself. For the baby: I love you, and I will come back after work. For yourself: this is hard, and I can do the next ten minutes.
The workday check
Choose one check-in time with daycare. Do not refresh your phone every seven minutes. Your nervous system needs a boundary too.
The paid next step
Your Return-to-Work Blueprint is £18.99 through Payhip. It helps you plan the first week back, the childcare handoff, and the conversations you need at work.
Get the £18.99 blueprintIf you want the wider plan first, read the return-to-work guide.