Put simply, returning to work after maternity leave is really, really hard.
Like “ugly cry on the way into the office but also happy to be there” level hard. Conflicting emotions, expectations, worries and stress levels are all super high.
I know that for me I was a total mess of feelings as I returned to work after both of my maternity leaves, but what helped the most were other moms who understood.
Gifts for Moms Returning to Work After Maternity Leave
If there is a woman in your life who will be returning to work after maternity leave soon, let her know that you totally get that this is a tricky time in her life and send her back to the office with one of these gifts.
And then go give her a big hug from me. It’s not weird, I’m just another mom who wants her to know she’s doing great!
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oNecklace Personalized Jewlery
Most moms returning to work after maternity leave are not bringing their kids with them physically, but they are for sure coming with them in their minds. Let her know you totally get that and give her a gift that keeps those kiddos close to her heart all day.
oNecklace has beautiful personalized gifts perfect for moms that you can customize with children’s names. They gifted me this lovely necklace that I absolutely love and plan to make a staple of my work from the office and work from home wardrobe.
Audible Subscription
For many moms, returning to work after maternity leave means much more time in the car commuting. Those minutes could be spent feeling all the mom guilt, or all the stress, or they could be spent with a good book. Let’s go with the good book option!
Giving the gift of Audible is also like giving the gift of time. If she was a book worm before kids, she might miss her stack of books on the nightstand and extra time to read them. Helping her use that time in the car for something she loves is awesome!
Just Let Me Lie Down – Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom
Speaking of books, if the working mom in your life prefers a book in her hands over a book in her ears, can I recommend a favorite?
Just Let Me Lie Down is a hilarious book by author and former editor in chief of Real Simple magazine, Kristin Van Ogtrop. She’s a brilliantly funny writer who speaks directly into the heart and mind of working moms.
This fun read is the perfect “back to work” present to let your mom friend know she isn’t alone in this whirling swirling world of working motherhood.
Read More Book Recommendations for Books for Moms By Moms
Instacart Subscription or Giftcard
Groceries seem like a weird gift, but are they? Really? We all need them, and many of us don’t want to get to the store to have them. Sounds like a great gift to me!
Instacart is my favorite invention of, well, ever. As a working mom with a packed schedule, you’ll very rarely find me in a grocery store anymore now that I have a subscription to Instacart and my groceries arrive on my doorstep. It’s a huge time saver that allows me more time with my family and less time navigating aisles.
Gift your friend or family member a yearly Instacart subscription which pays for deliveries, or a gift card for a smaller amount so that she can buy herself some good chocolate, guilt-free and hand-delivered!
Read more on my love affair with Instacart.
Mama Bear Shirt
Is this Mama Bear shirt “office appropriate?” Well no, not really. But I work from home two days a week and you’d best believe that I’m rocking this shirt and leggings at least one of those days.
And probably to bed that night because it’s cozy.
My sister-in-law and brother gifted me this shirt (the pink one with pockets) for my birthday and it’s such a great reminder that even when I’m not with my kids, I’m being the best mama bear I can be to my little cubs.
Mom Mug
Lack of sleep is not a working mom only problem. Nor is an affinity for coffee a working mom only trait. But, I know that caffeine and a warm beverage go a long way for getting many working moms up and going as they hit the office.
For your mom friend who is returning to work after maternity leave, a good mug might be exactly what she needs. There are some great finds on Etsy, but I’d especially recommend checking out the handmade options from my friend Melissa at Foster & Feed. She’s a working mom and potter whose beautiful creations are the perfect gift for anyone.
Mom’s One Line a Day Journal
If there was a fire in my house I would grab my kids, my husband, and my one line a day journals. And a snack if there was a time.
I’ve been keeping a one line a day journal for seven years now and these two little books contain so many memories of my kids’ lives. From milestones to silly things they said, it’s all captured in these books. I also write about my husband, my family, my friends, and my professional flubs and achievements.
Since she has limited time on her hands these days, the one line a day journal is the perfect gift for a new mom who wants to capture the memories but isn’t going to be doing a whole lot of scrapbooking.
Quinn’s Cookies – Lactation Cookies for New Moms
Now, of course, you could send your mom friend back to work with some homemade cookies, and that would be amazing. Who doesn’t love cookies?
But if you’re not a baker or you want to level up on this one, check out Quinn’s Cookies, and make sure to order some for yourself because they are delicious.
Bonus, they specifically offer lactation cookies for new moms! A huge challenge for many breastfeeding moms returning to work after maternity leave is keeping up their breastmilk supply. The ingredients in these cookies will help with that, and make for a great snack in the car.
Picture Frame
When I went back to work after maternity leave I brought my laptop, my Dr. Scholl’s flats, and about 3 trillion pictures of my kids.
Many of those pictures are tacked up on my bulletin board, making it appear like I actually have at least a dozen children, but a few have made their way into frames too which I love.
You know your mom friend has a phone filled with pictures of her sweet new baby; give her something to display those baby blues/greens/browns in proudly on her desk.
Happy Returning to Work After Maternity Leave Gifting!
How awesome are you for Googling “best gifts for a mom returning to work after maternity leave”? Seriously, what a cool friend you are!
Hope you found what you were looking for and do let me know if you have other great suggestions!
Read More Posts for Returning to Work After Maternity Leave:
The 1 Thing That Saved My First Day Back to Work After Maternity Leave
This Working Mom Will Be Five Minutes Late
15 Inspirational Working Mom Quotes to Give You a Boost
13 Game-Changing Working Mom Hacks to Make Life Easier and More Fun
Picture frames are a great idea!