Much of the advice available to parents returning to work focuses on the child: how will they settle, how quickly will they adjust. Far less is written about the parent doing the returning. Yet the evidence and the lived experience of thousands of families tell us the same thing: your transition matters just as much, and preparing for it deliberately makes the whole experience smoother for your family.
The emotional shift is real, and expected
Returning to work after leave is consistently described, across parenting research and family support literature, as a significant life transition rather than a simple scheduling change. Raising Children Network(opens in new tab) describes it as a genuine adjustment period, and recommends drawing on the experience of other parents who've recently returned, since hearing how someone else navigated the same mix of emotions can be genuinely reassuring.
It's common to feel two things at once: looking forward to re-engaging with work and identity outside parenting, while also mourning the slower, more present pace of leave. Naming this rather than pushing it aside tends to make the transition considerably easier.
Preparation: what the research-informed approach looks like
Trial and orientation sessions
A gradual introduction, rather than a single full day, gives your child time to build familiarity with their educators and environment before you're relying on care for a full working day. Our settling-in approach is built around this principle, and our team will work with you to design a settling schedule that suits your child's temperament and your return-to-work timeline.
A considered feeding plan
If breastfeeding or expressing is part of your routine, planning ahead, with both your workplace and your child's educators, makes continuing far more manageable. Raising Children Network(opens in new tab)'s guidance on breastfeeding and returning to work outlines what's worth discussing with your employer in advance, from lactation breaks to storage of expressed milk, so nothing has to be figured out on day one.
Open communication with your centre
The more your child's educators know before your return date, sleep patterns, comfort routines, feeding times, the more consistent your child's day can be with what they're used to at home. Our family handbook sets out exactly what information is genuinely useful to share, and when.
Understand the current Child Care Subsidy settings
Since January 2026, the 3 Day Guarantee has meant CCS-eligible families are entitled to a minimum of three subsidised days per week(opens in new tab), independent of work hours, replacing the previous activity-test model. This is worth revisiting even if you checked your entitlements before your leave began, as your eligible days may now differ. Our Child Care Subsidy page can help you work out what this looks like for your family.
Your right to ask for flexibility
Eligible employees returning from parental leave can formally request flexible working arrangements, adjusted hours, a phased return, or changed start and finish times. Fair Work Ombudsman(opens in new tab) outlines how to make this request in writing and what your employer is required to consider. Raising this conversation early, ideally before your return date is locked in, gives both you and your employer time to plan properly.
What the first few weeks commonly look like
Children often need two to three weeks to settle into a new rhythm, and so, quite reasonably, do parents. Expect some unsettled evenings, some teary drop-offs, and a general sense of recalibration at home. Consistency, in your child's daily rhythm and in your own self-compassion, tends to be the thing that shortens this window. At Papilio, our Lifelong Learning Curriculum places real emphasis on secure, predictable relationships between children and their educators, which is precisely what supports children through change like this.
Building in margin for the first week
Where possible, avoid scheduling major commitments for your first day or two back at work. A quieter re-entry gives you capacity to manage a teary drop-off, a call from your centre, or simply the mental load of a new routine bedding in. Many parents find that treating the first week as a soft launch, rather than a full-speed return, reduces pressure on everyone in the family considerably.
Lean on your educators
Your child's educators have supported many families through exactly this transition. If you're unsure how a feeding plan will work, how settling is going, or simply want reassurance, start the conversation with them. That relationship is one of the most valuable resources you have during this period.