34 How to Negotiate, Set Boundaries & Make Work Work After Maternity Leave

Welcome to Mama’s Flight Path The podcast for you mama, who looked around after maternity leave and thought: “Wait… who am I now?’’Hosted by Jools Tyrer, this space unpacks what really happens when motherhood and career collide.Every week, you’ll hear from working mums who’ve questioned the default path and making work well, work! Expert insights and tools to help you find clarity when everything feels up in the air.☀️This week In this conversation, Jools and Jessica Chivers discuss the challenges faced by mothers returning to work after maternity leave, the importance of flexible work environments, and how to navigate conversations with line managers. They explore the emotional toll of balancing work and parenting, the need for supportive workplace cultures, and the role of community and mentorship in facilitating successful transitions back to work. Jessica shares personal stories and insights from her experience as a coach, emphasizing the importance of being curious and open-minded in discussions about work flexibility.More from Jess:Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicachivers/Insta https://www.instagram.com/comebackcommuk/ Want coaching that hits deep? ⁠⁠⁠Work with me⁠⁠⁠💛 Like what you hear? Follow the show, drop a comment, and send it to that friend Stay connected: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⚠️Disclaimer: This podcast may cause career breakthroughs and life enrichment⚠️Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: From Motherhood to Career Advocacy03:47 The Evolution of Workplace Flexibility06:53 The Cost of Returning: Financial and Emotional Factors12:19 Creating Supportive Work Environments15:04 Navigating Conversations with Line Managers25:12 Understanding Flexible Work Requests26:24 Navigating Workplace Relationships28:47 The Importance of Open Conversations30:21 Empowering Conversations Through Storytelling32:17 Personal Reflections and Heartaches34:10 The Impact of Neurodiversity on Professional Life36:31 Lessons from Family and Role Models37:52 Hope for Shared Parenting Responsibilities