Your Mat-Leave Survival Guide by League of Moms

 

A quick note about me; I’m Ronit, the Founder of League of Moms; a directory of services for Greater Toronto Area moms and moms to be with reviews by real moms A.K.A the League!

I started League of Moms because during my first mat leave I had a negative experience with a photographer which made me wish I had more information about all those services that I was entrusting for my family and that was my lightbulb moment.  There are over 300 GTA business listed on www.LeagueofMoms.com from doulas to lactation consultants to babysitter services to various baby programs.  We’ve even got you covered when you want to get back to work with career and life coaches specializing in working with moms and if we don’t have something you are looking for, let me know and we’ll find it!  Enclosed in your Sweet Peas Box is a deal card so you can enjoy some of the awesome deals for League of Moms members – go ahead and check them out! My one ask of you is to help build the community by contributing your own reviews to the site so League of Moms can continue to grow and be a great resource for all moms!

 

Your Mat-Leave Survival Guide by League of Moms 

YOUR MAT-LEAVE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Hey you! Congrats on this amazing and exciting milestone in your life…having a baby!  You will quickly see that this baby thing is a major game changer on sooooo many levels in your life!  One major game changer is mat leave; we are pretty lucky in Canada to get a whole 12 to 18 months off and well I want you to have the most epic experience, so read ahead to find out how you can ROCK it!

I have laid it out for you in terms of 12 months, but you can adapt it based on the number of months you decide to take off. Good luck and enjoy this wild ride!

 

0-3 MONTHS

OBJECTIVE: SURVIVAL & FIND YOUR LEAGUE!

SURVIVAL

Hopefully you already know this but survival is the most important goal in those first few months.  If you manage to put on something more than pyjamas you are a hero! However, once you are ready for more and once you have the confidence to change a diaper in public without fear of getting poop on yourself then I suggest you go out and find your League! For clarity, what I mean by League is your people, your crew, your mama posse!

How to Find Your League

1. Attend awesome events – check out www.momstoronto.com to enjoy lunch with your baby at trendy Toronto restaurants across the city and their annual epic WineFest!
2. Join a local mom group through www.mumnet.ca, www.mommyconnections.ca or various baby classes many of which you can find on LeagueofMoms.com
3. Post an ad on your local moms Facebook group; this was my approach! I posted what sounded like a personal ad that went like this ‘new mom, love long neighbourhood walks’ – I met one mom and then another and another and before I knew it I had a crew!

Your Homework: Write a list of things you can do with your League…here are a few to get you started!

1. DIY music class
2. DIY workout classes
3. Recipe exchange
4. Park picnics
5. Museum dates
6. Crafting parties
7. Baby photoshoots
8. Swimming playdates
9. Visit local parks and walking paths

 

3 – 6 MONTHS

OBJECTIVE: FIND YOURSELF

Ok you’re at the 3-month mark, if you are breastfeeding things might be leveling out a bit, enough that you can actually maybe leave for a little bit? This is where I want you to find yourself…again.   And by that I really mean – play hookie from parenting! If you are lucky to have a partner, parents or in-laws that can step in to babysit, if not, check out Leagueofmoms.com for a bunch of awesome babysitting services.  Now you get to go do something special for you like get a massage, go for lunch, do anything that makes you feel like you again! My first night off was memorable; I went to a see an amateur improv comedy show and I got gelato and I actually cried, I was so happy for that little bit of freedom.

Your Homework:Follow these steps

1. Write down your favourite date ever
2. Write down your favourite friend ever (other than your baby or partner)
3. Call friend (see #2 above) and go on date (see #1 above)

Optional (but not really) – make sure you have a babysitter lined up!

 

6 – 9 MONTHS

OBJECTIVE: THINK ABOUT WHAT’S NEXT?

What are you doing for future you?  Does future you want to take a trip to Spain? Take a Spanish class! Does future you want to run a marathon? Start training! For some it may be a hobby that is your goal and for others it may be career oriented.  Side note; I launched League of Moms while on mat leave and then I didn’t go back to my job. If you are thinking of making a change in career, you can get some support from a career coach (check out www.Careerlove.com) that specializes in moms, whatever it is that is next, use this time to explore your options!

Your Homework:

1. Write down your future goals (i.e. after mat leave)
2. Break down the necessary steps to get there. Set dates to achieve those steps.

 

9 – 12 MONTHS

OBJECTIVE: DOCUMENT & REFLECT!

You are going to thank me for this one, trust me! Start a sweet family tradition with an annual birthday letter to your baby!  Get your partner involved and each of you write a letter to your baby on their birthday to reflect on their year. Include what they have learned, how you have changed and your wishes for them.  You will love reading these over the years! You can decide when you plan to give them to your kids. I am thinking I will wait until my kids turn 18 (assuming I can wait that long!)

Your Homework:

1. Write your baby a letter on their birthday
2. Make your partner write a letter to your baby on their birthday
3. Repeat every year

So there you have it – your matleave! Go rock the heck out of it!

www.Leagueofmoms.com