Tuesday 8 October 2013

The P&G Everyday Effect


A year ago in July I found myself back in the world of work after taking 13 months off for maternity leave. I have spoken on many occasions about how I felt about returning to work, scared, anxious, excited, nervous, worried and guilty just to name a few of those feelings that were rushing through my body like a tsunami.

I know I cannot be the only parent in the world who has felt a mass array of different emotions about the return to work. For me it felt like it was the end of an era, that special year where I had only my beautiful boy to spend my days with. Everything else was just a million miles away, but it is surprising how quickly the time can fly when you are neck deep in nappies and the real world is anticipating your return.

Going back to work presents you with a whole new set of things to feel guilty about, the milestones you may miss. The smiles and laughs that are poised for someone else, the general day to day life that you have built together is turned up side down and given a vigorous shake.

 Were you worried about going back to work after having children? Around 85% of mums have come forward to feeling like this, they felt nervous about their return to work. But a few simple acts can make all the difference to that first day back in the office…

Almost a third of mums said that a new hairstyle gave them more confidence when returning to work, whilst another 30% thought the same about new clothes. Even something as small as having an early night made a quarter of the mums we spoke to feel better about the day ahead.

P&G think that by doing ordinary things, we can make a difference to our own and the lives of those around us. P&G calls the impact of these seemingly ordinary moments the “Everyday Effect”.


So, to try and make a little difference in your day, P&G would like to treat one lucky reader a selection of P&G goodies so that you can enjoy a bit of the Everyday Effect too!

Here is what you will find in your P&G goodie selection.



To be in with a chance of winning this P&G Goodie selection all you need to do is follow the Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck, and if you are returning to work soon. Enjoy!



Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com

224 comments:

  1. i absolutely hated returning to work after my first child (1 yr maternity) but with my second i took 2 years maternity and returning to work was even worse x

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  2. Was one of the hardest things i had to do

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  3. I am due to go off in Feb but think ill only be off for 6 months :(

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  5. Never had to take time off work for children, but i did for long term sickness for a while. Going back was terrifying, but satisfying

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  6. Having to go back to work after maternity leave and leaving my little girl was truly devastating.

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  7. I hated my return to work, I only had 2 weeks off, which was annual leave not paternity leave. hated leaving my Wife and little baby.

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  8. i enjoyed adult company again

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  9. I hated going back to work too :-(

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  10. not great but got to be done

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  11. I enjoyed going back to work , first baby was actually very difficult , reflux, colic, poor sleeper so on my 2 days at work I actually felt less stressed .

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  12. I was very nervous. Whilst I had been off the office had changed and I didn't go back to the same job.

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  13. I was worried how my son would cope without me as he was only 8 months at the time.

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  14. Really worried that I wouldn't be able to do job as well

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  15. Being a mum is hard but worth it

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  16. couldn't wait the 3rd time round !

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  17. I felt apprehensive and guilty

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  18. Mixed emotions but was very hard to tear myself away fro my daughter but glad of adult company

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  19. I didn't go back to work until my daughter was 3. We lived cheaply, and my partner was starting out in his career, so we moved often. It was easier for me to stay at home with her. I was certainly ready for some adult company, and my daughter was ready for company of others too. Hard work, but the right thing for us.

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  20. I was so, so ready to go back to work - my girl was 2 and 3 months. But now I'm back, I miss her so much. I miss my life before. Nearly a year later and I'm still unsure as to whether I made the right decision

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  21. I dreaded it! I follow as mummy24

    Ashleigh Allan

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  22. I went back as soon as i could, otherwise the longer you leave it the worse it is and i think you can loose your confidence a little. I missed the adult company as well, work brings!

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  23. i felt really upset when i returned to work and missed my son terribly and also suffered guilt at times :(

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  24. dreaded it! still don't want to be there but need the pennies

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  25. Good to get back to adult company and feeling like a normal person again!

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  26. guilty- so much so, I gave it up!

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  27. Not gone back yet as had to find another job but I am not looking forward to it its the missingv out on her doing things for the first time

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  28. Nervous about leaving the little one. Was concerned about safety, as previously I had been there responsible for safety etc and doing my best. Now I wasn't there I was anxious with this experience, though feelings really mixed. As I was also trying to reassure myself that we had done our best to ensure all was well, and it was likely that everything was fine. Takes time to readjust.

    Rachel Craig

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  29. going back to work was hard but I am more than just a mum and my daughter was in the care of my mum which was lovely as they are so close now victoriahine@hotmail.co.uk

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  30. oh Nervous initially but also I believe a better mum for it

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  31. I felt petrified going back to work but after a few weeks it got easier

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  32. enthusiastic but slightly stressed!

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  33. Very nervous! I'm quite an anxious person anyway but once I got there I was ok but anxious about what was going on at home!

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  34. following via gfc as angieh

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  35. I'm scared but will appreciate some adult talk!

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  36. not looking forward to it at all, dont want to be apart from him xxx

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  37. I haven't, I decided to stay home and I never regretted it x

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  38. I haven't gone back yet!

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  39. Not gone yet!

    Isabel O'Brien
    @yyesidolikecake

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  40. Not gone yet!

    Isabel O'Brien
    @yyesidolikecake

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  41. I just felt so guilty at leaving my son with a childminder

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  42. I enjoyed it-I knew my son had a great childminder and all the time we spent together was quality time

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  43. mixed feelings - hated leaving my child and felt guilty, but loved having some adult conversation and brain stimulation x

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  44. I love working & it make me make the most of the time I do have with my son. I have no guilt because I have no choice financially...it's be a stay at home mum OR pay the mortgage...not both.

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  45. I returned when my young son started school :)

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  46. I hate it and I love it at the same time...

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  47. it's hard but it helps you provide for your children

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  48. Hated it, but needs, needed

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  49. Exciting and balanced with home life.

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  50. My friend hated it but I think she's got used to it now the children are older :)

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  51. I was a full time mum for years so I felt great getting back to work earning again and meeting people

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  52. Following on GFC as Soozy Hall

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  53. I haven't had it yet but I dread it

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  54. I dreaded it but I had a good support network so knew baby was ok while I was at work

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  55. I decided to start a business from home so I could be there for my kids & keep on top of looking after the house. Also i could arrange appointments when it suited me. This worked for me but being at home alot can drive you mad!

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  56. Really difficult, but in some ways it was nice to have a bit of 'me' back again. xx

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  57. I dreaded it ... so I became freelance and worked from home ... its much harder and my day is really long - but I love every minute of my freedom

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  58. Trying to look for work after taking 10 years off to have and raise my 2 kids!! Finding it so hard to get out there as Ive no experience and there are very little jobs to be had!

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  59. I didn't return till the youngest was 4, so it was OK, but only because I was only working school hours

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  60. returned at three months. big mistake

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  61. tina edwards tina9stan@gmail.com

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  62. Really hated it and knew I'd have soo much to do when I got home as I couldn't trust the ex to do anything

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  63. haven't gone back to work its a full time job looking after 3 kids

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  64. Following on GFC epricetemp at gmail.com

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  65. Was very gradual as working for myself from home and didn't really notice it because started at a couple of hours per week.

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  66. I didn't mind so much, part time so best of both worlds

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  67. it was hard leaving kids at first but gradually got into the swing of it

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  68. working only part time as feel guilty leaving her to much

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  69. I had to return to work twice. Each time I felt excited going back and being challenged daily using my brain. But each time I missed my little men so much.

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  70. I hated it and gave up work again.

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  71. I hated every minute of it, would much rather have stayed at home but could never afford it, and I still work full time many years later - don't know how I did it looking back

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  72. Hated it, so decided to be a stay at home mum instead.

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  73. i loved work but left because i wanted to be the one to raise my kids. after i had my son i went back to work for a while. was very nervous but was nice to get some time to myself. i then got pregnant with my daughter and stopped working again. im in the process of looking for a job now and feeling very nervous :) fingers crossed i here something soon :)

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  74. Scared - but looked forward to getting into the swing of it again.

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  75. My return to work (x2) was a little different as my pregnancies weren't successful. My first time I couldn't wait to go back, the second time I was dreading it. Of course, both times were fine as I've been working in the same office for 10 years and the people there are fab! x

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  76. I've never had to have time off for kids but I think I'd struggle!

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  77. I was ready to go back to work for some adult company and conversation but my child was in the workplace nursery and I could go there during breaks so not complete separation, it got easier to leave longer between my visits as I got more engrossed in work

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  78. I didn't go back to work after having Jacob. He has to have lots of hospital appointments and my health is not great after my c-section so it was decided I would stay home to care for the wee boy. I do miss work sometimes, and being amongst adults.

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  79. hated going back, but needed the money

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  80. I haven't, and am quite happy that way!

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  81. thanks for the giveaway studownham@aol.com

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  82. ive had to stay at home as no one to look after kids and childcare too expensive

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  83. Felt like a kid after the six weeks holiday, full of nerves.

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  84. Shaky - everything moves on and you've been left behind.

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  85. emma Thackery
    emmathackery88@gmail.com

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  86. I had very mixed emotions, but it had to be done

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  87. Following on GFC laurastewardcomp

    I was happy to go back to work as I feel a real sense of achievement & enjoy managing my team - I also appreciate fully the time I spend with my son.

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  88. LittleMissSunshine01@Outlook.com

    I felt sad going back to work, and still feel guilty most days. But..needs must! x

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  89. I hated it, I was working at the local council and no one would talk to me as they saw my maternity leave as one big holiday.

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  90. I missed my little boy but it was good to return to a normal adult enviornment

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  91. I felt so guilty and rushed to pick him up straight away, however, on the plus side, I had adult conversation again and felt like me!

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  92. I hated it but is now nice to get away sometimes

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  93. I haven't yet - don't want to haha

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  94. I had very similar feelings to you but once your first week is over all the fears subside.

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  95. I am due to go back soon very nervous don't want to admit they are growing up

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  96. Quite good, I went back when my daughter was 4 months old and she has become a very sociable little girl due to nursery :)

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  97. thankfully i haven't had to yet x

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  98. thankfully i didnt have to leave my babies when they were young to go back to work it would of been gut wrenching to leave them every day when they were so small and needed their mother

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  99. I hated going back to work, but needs must!

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  100. I didn't! But that was 10 years ago, now expecting again, but think I will look forward to returning this time...

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  101. Kirsty Slow
    Im going back on Saturday...Im really excited x

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  102. I dreaded it. The day seemed to drag, it was the longest day of my life

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  103. Dreadful - I felt the best place for my daughter was with me and only I could give her the care she needed

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  104. Gutted at leaving my beautiful blue eyed boy :)

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  105. I haven't returned to work yet, but when I do I will feel really apprehensive, and worried, but in another sense I cant wait either!

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  106. I hated the thought of returning to work - for a week before hand i found myself getting nervous and anxious and the night before, i cried my eyes out. Luckily the thought of returning was worse than the real thing. Although its a struggle to juggle everything, i enjoy the chat and office banter and have a new appreciation for how mums juggle everything once little ones come into your life.

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  107. Very mixed emotions. I was so sad to be leaving my little one with mum, but looked forward to mixing again with grown ups.

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  108. I don't have children of my own but I can imagine how hard it must be...We have just had a girl return to work after a year of maternity leave and she found it really hard. She said that it was so hard to drop him off with family or at daycare and walk away. On the other hand she did say that it was nice to be around adults again and have a normal conversation without having to watch what he was doing.

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  109. nervous, and didn't want to leave her at nursery. It did my daughter good though

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  110. Sarah Huddlestone25 October 2013 at 20:54

    I expected it to be easier 2nd time around but it was actually harder. More nerve wracking and less confidence. After a few weeks felt settled in.

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  111. decided not to at the last minute

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  112. I only returned afterward being told I would have to have to repay some extra maternity money I was given, but I'm now glad I did.

    Kel

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  113. very scary my son is only 2 and im very nervous but i know he'l be fine and it's the right thing to do

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  114. I went back to work after 7 months as I missed it!

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  115. I was lucky that when i went back my mum was looking after my boys - it makes a difference if you have confidence in your childcare

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  116. I'm still a SAHM but I'm not looking forward to returning to work, I just find it so daunting.

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  117. felt guilty - but couldn't afford to stay home :(

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  118. I felt that I had to be more than a mum, but walked around like I had a limb missing, it was very hard

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  119. Relieved in one way and a little guilty too.

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  120. It was hard, however you have to do it .

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  121. Hated it. Went back after 2 virtually consecutive maternity leaves (I was actually already pregnant when I returned after having Melody). I still hate it, even though it's only part time.

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  122. Following via GFC. Linda Hobbis lindahobbis38@hotmail.co.uk

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  123. Haven't gone back to work yet and am dreading it.

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  124. currently pregnant so haven't gone back yet

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  125. I found it difficult to juggle work and home life

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  126. i felt preoccupied about my baby

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  127. I hated returning to work and it was so hard leaving my daughter with someone else to watch.

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  128. i hated going back! still hating it!

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  129. i havnt yet had to go back as im currently 33weeks, nervous and think il be quite upset about leaving baby once the time comes though

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  130. I was a bit anxious about her being in nursery one of the days I work but happy to get my brain working fully and have some grown up company again (and I get to go to the loo on my own!)

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  131. Hated it, felt like you'd lost a limb. Would have loved to have been able to stay at home

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  132. Well, I preferred being at home...

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  133. When I returned back to work after the first 2 children it was awful I was full time and by the time I collected them and gave them tea it was bed time. When we had our 3rd we agreed I would become a SAHM.

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  134. Ive just had a month off from holiday and that was like being flogged!

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  135. I felt gutted your torn nither giving your all at work or at home

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  136. I was lucky enough to have been able to finish work, so didn't have the upset of leaving my little one x

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  137. I am due to go off in Feb but think ill only be off for 6 months :(

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  138. missed my little one so much had to keep phoning the nursery to check she was ok!!

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  139. First time round I was very nervous as my son was only 6 weeks old (the days when you only got 12 weeks off). Second time round I hadn't worked since my son was 16 mths old and returned when my daughter was 9mths....I was much more geared up and only worked 100 metres from home so was ok with it.

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  140. hated it first time round so much so that ive decided to wait this time till my little one are at school full time, its a struggle but worth it, all 3 boys love me being at home!

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  141. I'm feeling really nervous about it, but I found a good childminder so it takes away some of the nerves! x

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  142. Only 9 weeks yet, so not really thinking about it

    @oneisjamie

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  143. Excited but apprehensive although I don't know why I was working at home doing odd bits

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  144. I've never had any children but I have had to return to work after being widowed, twice. It was truly awful.

    It's amazing how many people have the hump with you when you've been off for a couple of months through no fault of your own, but before you left, they were full of sympathy, take as much time as you need & all that.

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  145. I was lucky enough to go back part time so it eased me back in.

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  146. Hated it was tired and had Mummy brain couldn't even remember codes to get in work!

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  147. I was happy to be back and have not regretted it but I do only work 4 days a week.

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  148. My wife did work for a little while, but depending on your job it can be more stress than it's worth!

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  149. Really difficult in fact I hated it and felt so guilty!

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  150. I loved being with my two children, but at the same time, I couldn't wait to get back to work. I think it's crucial to get back into the work force early on. When you have a mortgage to pay and you want to provide the best a child can get, not material things, just plenty of food, clothing, good education etc. The current government has pursued policies that encourage more parents of young children to enter the workplace and put the demands of their careers before the needs of their children. It would be foolish not to keep your foot in the door regarding your career: nearly half of all mums will end up as single parents, and with the gender pay gap still more than 12 per cent, if you let your skills lapse and don’t go to work at all in your children’s early years, this gap widens even further. sheils_glass@hotmail.com

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  151. Positive as I enjoy the best of both worlds and want the best for my children so need to earn the pennies. I also think its a good example to you children and encourages children to be more social by leaving mummy for a few hours each day!

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  152. I'm dreading the thought, I feel pregnant very quickly after my first. Baby 2 due in January, don't know how I'm going to cope going back when I've got 2 little angels at home

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  153. I dreaded it - but it was made easier by my daughter loving nursery

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  154. I had equal parts dread and excitement. It was nice to use my brain again and get back to some normality.

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I love hearing your thoughts, so please feel free to leave me a comment :)