How to return to work with confidence with No7 & Mumsnet – #No7Ready

Returning to work after baby can be quite challenging. Vraiment, a bit frightening pour être honnête. You are not the same woman who left work before having a child. You don’t have the same priorities and quite frankly both your body and your emotions have been through a lot. Whatever happened during your pregnancy and the time off after, you have been through many events that you were not even imagining before! You can read all the books you want to be la maman parfaite, it’s just a learning curve that you take along. On Monday, I was lucky enough to attend a No7 Event with Mumsnet and Boots UK. Not only the night was filled with bubbles and amazing makeup, but we also listened to some fab ladies about how to return to work with confidence.

Here are what I retained from the fabulous evening. All the guests, Mother Pukka, The Step Up Club, Jade Parfitt and Carrie Longton were fabulous and so inspiring. Like any other woman returning to work after a baby, I had my doubts and my fears. Mais those great dames reminded me that I was doing some great stuff. And yes, I am confident to return to work! With honesty and taking examples from their own experiences, the guests recomforted me in many ways. Here are is how to return to work with confidence.

How to return to work with confidence. It’s all in here!

Be in control of your career and stick to it without feeling guilty

All the participants made it very clear: whatever you decide to do, stick to it even if it’s not always easy! Mother Pukka admitted without shame that she used to judge other women that were leaving work early before she became herself a mum. I have been there. I kept it quiet but I remember thinking how lucky were the mamans in my department to be part-time. Quite frankly, I thought that they were having it easy! How wrong was I! Since becoming a mum and having to juggle with this title as well as my work (and a Frenchie blog to entertain my readers on a regular basis), I now realise how difficult it is!

So yes, I am leaving work earlier than usual, but guess what? I am working from home later at night after a long day and my duties finished. It’s not easier!

And I used to feel guilty to leave work before 5 pm. But I have no reason whatsoever to do so. I work as hard as other people without children. And you should feel the same if you are a mummy. Decide what you want to do, how flexible you want to be and stick to it! This is your life and you are in control of it. Whatever people think of you doesn’t matter. After all, they will even change their mind when they are in the same position as you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

I have already expressed my opinion about the dream that girls run the world and we can have it all. Une grande illusion! It’s not always possible. There are times when you are tired and you can’t do it all! You already sacrificed a lot for your children: your look (at least temporary), your life, your sleep and so much more.

Are you not a chef in the kitchen? Is your house not always tidy? Who cares!? You are allowed to have a break and ask for help. Being an expat I don’t have my family to support me. However, Grumpy Boyfriend has always been here when I needed him.

My partner does so much. He drops Baba at the nursery so that I can start working before 7.30 am. He also picks him up as I am not always home early. Mon homme plays with le bébé a lot. He cooks for me if I am ill or I don’t feel like it. He gets up at night when le petit monstre is screaming. We share it all and I am proud of him. Because he is a good dad and he is fully involved in Baba’s education.

I have never felt guilty about asking for help. Many times, Grumpy Boyfriend’s family took the little one away so that we could have some ‘me time’ and I am thankful for that. Because that means that I can rest. It will make me a better mum because I will be ready for whatever is next. No point to transform yourself into a wreck, wanting to do it all. Une maman fatiguée is not a good deal…

Take time for yourself

Equally, it’s important to take some time for yourself. I have done it many times. I loved being pampered, going out in a town like I was young and beautiful… And it was good! I enjoyed it. Many of us make the mistake not to think about ourselves when it’s so important to feel good both in your body and in your mind. Being happy is not always easy, but it’s possible if you step back and let others do it for you! Whatever is your thing (having a  bath, shopping, going out for a coffee with a friend), do it regularly. You are not only a mummy so why would you only do the chores and the activities around your children?

Just going to the No7 Event this week was fabulous. After having my makeup done, I truly felt like une star de cinéma! A bit of mascara or some new clothes can make you a new woman. Bien sûr, that’s it not all. Being positive in your mind is also primordial. But it’s a start!

Feeling good in your skin starts with a bit of pampering!

Feeling like starting your own business?

I am not considering running my own business. I am happy being a teacher for the moment. But all the guests at the No7 Event with Mumsnet and Boots UK gave some fabulous tips that you should know if you consider taking the plunge. I particularly loved Mother Pukka’s anecdote about her running a walking dogs service before creating her blog. Guess the name of the business? Doggy Style 🙂

So here are some ideas for mummies who want to run their own company:

  • Build it up step by step: it sometimes takes a while to build an empire but it is worth it! Carrie Longton told us that for the first 6 years, Mumsnet was not making profits. And look at it now! It is such a success, the reference for many bloggers and mummies!
  • Be bold: some people might tell you that your idea is crazy but if you feel that you have THE ONE, go fo it! The same people will look at you with envy when you are the success of the year. Yeah, just that; let’s be modest!
  • Have a backup plan: you have a family and it might take a while to make money. So maybe do it progressively. Don’t quit your job overnight. Be flexible and see your business growing. Start working 4 days a week and use the rest of time on your company. When it is big, go for it!!!
Fab ladies on a mission! Watch out, people!

That’s it from me folks! I hope you enjoyed reading this post about how to return to work with confidence. All the ideas I listed here might not be rocking science but I think that sometimes things need to be reminded. I really enjoyed attending the No7 Event with Mumsnet and Boots UK. It was so inspiring and it helped me remember that I rock it!

Frenchie Mummy was well impressed with the panel at #No7Ready

Thank you so much to Anna Whitehouse, Alice Olins, Phanella Mayall Fine, Jade Parfitt and Carrie Longton for this fabulous and inspirational talk! I reckon you gave some #girlpower to many women that night! And merci as well to Boots UK and Mumsnet for the bubbles, the lovely food and the makeup!!!!

A new woman with lipstick on 🙂

We also loved our goodie bag… Off to try the new makeup tips I learnt at the event this week!

 

14 Comments

  1. Alana - Burnished Chaos
    April 3, 2017 / 5:47 am

    Fabulous tips, especially asking for help, we can’t do it all alone. Looks like you had a great time amongst some truly inspiring women.
    Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

  2. April 3, 2017 / 1:49 pm

    love this as you include tips that are actually actionable! what a lovely experience to get your make up done too – like you say, just a few small changes can make the world of difference! and yes, you do rock it ! #KCACOLS

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      April 3, 2017 / 9:41 pm

      merci you are always so nice xxx

  3. Kelly | and Jacob makes three
    April 3, 2017 / 4:17 pm

    Great tips. I’m terrified and excited in equal measure about going back to work #KCACOLS

  4. Mrs Morgan Plus 3
    April 3, 2017 / 6:28 pm

    What fab tips 🙂 #kcacols xx

  5. April 4, 2017 / 10:08 am

    I wish i’d known about this event. I’m going back to work full time in July and am very nervous about getting a balance to make sure I am also spending quality time with my little one. All positive vibes welcomed! #KCACOLS

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      April 5, 2017 / 8:22 pm

      I am sure you will be fine. The first few weeks will be a bit hard as you need to adjust to a new routine but it all becomes ok! You can do it! x

  6. April 5, 2017 / 7:23 pm

    Some awesome tips – I too was guilty of thinking working mums had it easy when they left early, even being jealous of their days off! Now I’m a little jealous that they’re in the peace and quiet of work when I’m chasing a baby around! #kcacols

  7. Pen
    April 10, 2017 / 7:41 am

    Great tips. Returning to work was tough. I am definitely back in the swing of it now though. Your tips on gradually starting up a business were useful. My work offers flexible hours which is great but I cannot work from home. I am increasingly aware that I need to build up a side income so that I can earn in the evenings. Pen x #KCACOLS

  8. Ali Duke
    April 11, 2017 / 7:49 pm

    These are great tips! Asking for help I think is the one thing us mum’s struggle with the most. And a bit of lipstick is an amazing confidence boost.
    #KCACOLS

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      April 13, 2017 / 10:42 am

      yeah you are absolutely right. Thanks for reading x

  9. April 13, 2017 / 7:44 pm

    Fab post, and really useful advice. I love the part about making your decisions and not feeling guilty about them. x #KCACOLS

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      April 14, 2017 / 11:41 am

      this is prob the most difficult but so true x

  10. Natalie Crossan
    November 21, 2017 / 8:42 pm

    Good advice, especially about having a back up plan xxx

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