First day back after maternity leave checklist
The first day back can feel bigger than the job itself. This page gives you one short list for the night before, the morning rush, and the first conversation with your manager.
The single guide is £19.99. The four-guide bundle is £39.99 and adds recovery, marriage support, and 90 Days of Grace in one checkout. The free checklist still gives her one useful page before any bigger decision.
Print this if you are not ready to buy
If you landed here late at night, start with the one-page PDF. Put it on the fridge, add your childcare notes by hand, then come back for the full guide when you want the manager scripts and first-week plan.
The night before
- Pack the nursery or childminder bag before dinner, not at bedtime.
- Write one backup-care name and number on paper, then put it in your work bag.
- Set out your clothes, the baby's clothes, milk or food, and any pump parts.
- Choose the one work task that matters most for the first morning.
The morning
- Leave ten minutes earlier than your old normal. The new normal needs space.
- Send childcare notes in one message, not in five worried bursts.
- Eat something small before you open your inbox.
- Put one family photo where you can see it, then get on with the first task.
What to say to your manager
Try this if you freeze:
I am glad to be back. For the first two weeks I would like us to be clear on priorities, working patterns, and anything urgent that changed while I was away.
The full guide gives you scripts for workload, flexible work, pumping, sick days, and the awkward moment when people expect you to work like nothing changed.
If you want the full plan
Start with the return-to-work guide if this is the one plan you need next. If you also want recovery, marriage support, and 90 Days of Grace, the bundle keeps all four guides together in one checkout.