Unique Gifts for Moms Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

Inside: Do you have a mom in your life who is returning to work after maternity leave? Find her the best gift to make going back to work much easier.

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Put simply, returning to work after maternity leave is really, really hard.

Like “ugly cry on the way into the office but also happy to be there” level hard. Conflicting emotions, expectations, worries and stress levels are all super high.

I know that for me I was a total mess of feelings as I returned to work after both of my maternity leaves, but what helped the most were other moms who understood.

Gifts for Moms Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

If there is a woman in your life who will be returning to work after maternity leave soon, let her know that you totally get that this is a tricky time in her life and send her back to the office with one of these gifts.

And then go give her a big hug from me. It’s not weird, I’m just another mom who wants her to know she’s doing great!

Best Gifts for Busy Moms She’ll Actually Use

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oNecklace Personalized Jewelry

Most moms returning to work after maternity leave are not bringing their kids with them physically, but they are for sure coming with them in their minds. Let her know you totally get that and give her a gift that keeps those kiddos close to her heart all day.

oNecklace has beautiful personalized gifts perfect for moms that you can customize with children’s names. They gifted me this lovely necklace that I absolutely love and plan to make a staple of my work-from-the-office and work-from-home wardrobe.

Audible Subscription

For many moms, returning to work after maternity leave means much more time in the car commuting. Those minutes could be spent feeling all the mom guilt, or all the stress, or they could be spent with a good book. Let’s go with the good book option!

Giving the gift of Audible is also like giving the gift of time. If she was a book worm before kids, she might miss her stack of books on the nightstand and extra time to read them. Helping her use that time in the car for something she loves is awesome!

When Mommy Grows Up

Speaking of books, if the working mom in your life prefers a book in her hands over a book in her ears, can I make a recommendation?

When Mommy Grows Up is a laugh-out-loud, feel all the feels, help you make some career moves book that’s a perfect gift for moms returning to work after maternity leave.

What can lessons we teach our kids like “you need to share” and “make new friends” teach us about our own career happiness? A lot actually! Author, Career Coach, and Mom, Becca Carnahan (that’s me) shares her own story of making changes in her career to find more fulfillment after having kids and helps other moms do the same.

Just Let Me Lie Down – Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom

And while we’re talking books, here’s one more!

Just Let Me Lie Down is a hilarious book by author and former editor-in-chief of Real Simple magazine, Kristin Van Ogtrop. She’s a brilliantly funny writer who speaks directly into the heart and mind of working moms.

This fun read is the perfect “back to work” present to let your mom friend know she isn’t alone in this whirling swirling world of working motherhood.

Read More Book Recommendations for Books for Moms By Moms

Instacart Subscription or Giftcard

Groceries seem like a weird gift, but are they? Really? We all need them, and many of us don’t want to get to the store to have them. Sounds like a great gift to me!

Instacart is my favorite invention of, well, ever. As a working mom with a packed schedule, you’ll very rarely find me in a grocery store anymore now that I have a subscription to Instacart and my groceries arrive on my doorstep. It’s a huge time saver that allows me more time with my family and less time navigating aisles.

Gift your friend or family member a yearly Instacart subscription which pays for deliveries, or a gift card for a smaller amount so that she can buy herself some good chocolate, guilt-free and hand-delivered!

Read more on my love affair with Instacart.

Mama Bear Shirt

Is this Mama Bear shirt “office appropriate?” Well no, not really. But when I work from home without any meetings on the docket you’d best believe that I’m rocking this shirt and leggings.

And probably to bed that night because it’s cozy.

My sister-in-law and brother gifted me this shirt (the pink one with pockets) for my birthday and it’s such a great reminder that even when I’m not with my kids, I’m being the best mama bear I can be to my little cubs.

Mom Mug

Lack of sleep is not a working mom only problem. Nor is an affinity for coffee a working mom only trait. But, I know that caffeine and a warm beverage go a long way for getting many working moms up and going as they hit the office.

For your mom friend who is returning to work after maternity leave, a good mug might be exactly what she needs. There are some great finds on Etsy, some personal favorites from With Love, Becca below, and of course, you can Amazon it up with this cute little number!

A New Flexible Job

Yes, you read that one right. You can help your friend make a career move as she makes big moves in her life!

Check out this free training, How to Land a Fulfilling Job You Love Without Giving Up the Flexibility You Need, designed specifically for parents. The training will walk you through the three mistakes job seekers make and how to fix them AND provide a four-step framework for finding a new flexible and fulfilling job.

Now how can you give this as a gift for a mom returning to work from maternity leave? Great question. Forward her the free training too or grab a cup of coffee and watch together.