Being a chef is an incredibly stressful yet rewarding career that can take up a lot of your physical and mental energy. While this might not have been a problem previously, once you become a mum, it can be difficult to juggle your family life and your career as a chef. If you’re getting to the end of your maternity leave, you may be thinking about returning from maternity leave as a chef. Here are some top tips for returning to the kitchen while still being able to share treasured time with your child.
Try a Phased Return
Rather than leaping straight back into the deep end, you should consider opting for a phased return to work. This can give you a chance to adjust back to the long hours and to refine your skills once more, rather than allowing the stress of your job to overwhelm you. This will also mean that you can establish what childcare you need and get used to the way that your routine will now look, without distressing your new baby too much.
You’ll then be able to build up your hours again gradually once you feel able to take on more. This is even more important if you still have some lingering health issues, including fatigue, after your pregnancy.
Get Non-Slip Shoes
It’s vital that you look after yourself as a chef and a mum, and this means preventing slip and fall incidents that could leave you injured. This is especially the case since some new mums experience conditions such as post-partum vertigo which can knock you off your feet and make you feel as if the room is spinning.
The answer to this is to invest in non-slip shoes that can support you throughout the working day and can take the strain off your muscles and joints. These can prevent you from getting so tired by the end of the day and can help you to sustain your energy levels. This means that you should look online for excellent non-slip kitchen shoes for chefs from specialist websites.
Arrange Reliable Childcare
One of the major conflicts that you’ll face when you’re heading back to work is finding childcare for your new baby, especially since chefs work such unsociable hours. While you might not be able to find a childcare facility that meets your needs, you might be able to employ a trustworthy babysitter who can come around to your house when you need them. You might also talk to your relatives about whether they can take on more responsibility while you get your career going again. However, you must ensure that this childcare is reliable or else you might find that you have to take days off at a moment’s notice and that some workplaces might not be understanding of this.
Speak to Your Manager
When you’re trying to head back to work as a chef, you need to sit down and have a serious discussion with your manager about your needs. For instance, you might request flexibility, shorter shifts, or shifts within daylight hours. By communicating with your manager, even by email, you’re more likely to get what you want, after a little bit of compromise, and will be ensuring that you’re both on the same page.
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