What’s Matrescence got to do with it?!

There’s a moment—maybe it happens in the middle of the night, cradling your baby in the dark, or maybe it hits when you are sat on the floor singing along to The Wiggles while squeezing expensive looking ‘dog’ toys —when you realise you are not the same person anymore.

It’s not just the sleepless nights or the new responsibilities. Something deeper has shifted. Your brain feels different. Your priorities have rearranged themselves in ways you never expected. The world around you looks the same, but you are not the same.

Not completely different, but not quite the old you either.

Anthropologist Dana Raphael calls it matrescence—the process of becoming a mother. Like adolescence, it’s a period of profound physical, emotional and cognitive change. Scientists have even found that a mother’s brain physically restructures, with reductions in grey matter in areas linked to social cognition—likely to sharpen maternal instincts and deepen bonding (Source: Nature).

Hormones like oxytocin surge, strengthening the bond with your baby. Meanwhile, estrogen and progesterone levels plummet, sometimes leaving you feeling emotionally unsteady—elated one moment, overwhelmed the next (Source: Elpasis).

And then, just as you start to adjust to this new version of yourself, another change looms: returning to work.

The Rollercoaster of Returning

For many mamas, going back to work brings a mix of emotions—excitement, relief, anxiety, guilt.

Excitement because you get to reclaim a part of yourself—the part that thrives on adult conversation, challenges, and, let’s be honest, coffee that’s still hot. I personally couldn’t wait for someone to tell me I was doing a good job again—because let’s face it, babies aren’t exactly known for letting you know your contribution was valued.

But then there’s the guilt. The heart-wrenching drop in your stomach as you leave your baby at nursery for the first time. The self-doubt—Can I still do my job as well as before (I turned up to work with T shirt on back to front today so I still question myself!) What if my priorities have changed too much?

And let’s not forget the sheer logistics of it all—meetings, deadlines, childcare pickups, the constant mental load of remembering what pack, not just ofr yourself but your small human too and how will I ever get to work on time?!

You’re not alone in feeling this way. Studies show that more than 80% of working mamas struggle with their return, often citing a lack of support from their employers (Source: HR BREW). Another 31% find it harder than expected (Source: Springer Healthcare IME), and 1 in 10 mamas return within four months simply because of financial pressures (Source: The Independent).

Rewriting the Flight Plan

Here’s the truth: Returning to work after baby isn’t about “going back” to who you were before. It’s about stepping forward—into the new, expanded version of yourself and refining success.

And that’s where Mama’s Flightpath comes in.

This podcast isn’t just about returning to work - it’s about finding a way forward that works for you. Through expert conversations, real-life stories, and coaching tools, this podcast is here to help you navigate this transition with confidence and clarity.

If you’re wondering, What’s next for me?—you’re in the right place. Because while matrescence shakes everything up, it also hands you a rare opportunity: to build a career and life that truly fit the person you’re becoming

With 75.6% of U.K mamas in work, reaching its highest in 20 years you are not flying solo . Let’s navigate it together.

What’s Next?

🎙️ In upcoming blogs and podcast episodes, we’ll be diving into real return-to-work stories, tackling topics like career confidence, identity shifts, navigating the mental load alongside tools so you can navigate your flight path.

🦩 I’d love to hear from you! What’s been your biggest challenge in returning to work? Drop a comment or message me—I want to make sure Mama’s Flight Path reflects the real stories of working mums.

Here’s to flying high and shining bright together.

Love and kindness

Jools