It is rather difficult for most working women to give up their professional life and enter motherhood. Research suggests that highly qualified women working in top positions in companies are faced with a major dilemma when left to choose between going back to work and being stay-at-home mums after birth.

The truth is that most companies will try their best to retain an employee under all conditions. With new mothers, the chances of taking a sabbatical or quitting the job are quite high. Offers such as ‘work from home’ or ‘short leave’ are quite tempting but hardly ever feasible. At the end of the day, you do end up losing out on some very important moments of your new born baby’s life. Bottom line: motherhood needs time and energy. When you’re constantly exhausted, stressed and irritated, you are likely to feel less excited about being a mother.

But how do you transition from being a full-time professional to a stay home mum? Well, it isn’t as easy as it may sound; at least for some mummies. You’re used to a certain amount of mental stimulation, work discipline and the power that comes with authority.

Here are a few tips that can help you transition more smoothly from your work life to a life at home:

• Reduce the amount of time spent talking to your ex colleagues. This will help you in a lot of different ways. When you are constantly engaging with people from your workplace, you are likely to feel ‘left out’ and isolated.
• Make new ‘mummy friends’. Venture out and find other new mums in your neighborhood or community. It is good to have a circle of women who can share their common joys and woes related to motherhood.
• Try and keep a positive attitude about the change. Tell yourself that this isn’t permanent and that you can go back to work whenever you feel comfortable about leaving your baby with a nanny or can make some other arrangements.