Having a baby is an exciting time with lots of changes to prepare for. Taking steps to get ready can ensure a smoother transition into parental leave and back to work when it's over. Here are some tips on how to plan:

Talk to your manager.

Let your manager know that you plan to take parental leave. It's often best practice to let your manager know before anyone else at work; this gives you time to plan. Having an open discussion can help you create a transition plan and identify any tasks that need to be finished before leave starts. Your manager may also talk through options like remote work or flexible working arrangements that can help make coming back from parental leave easier.

Communicate with your team.

Talk to your team members about who will take on what tasks while you're away and which tasks need to be finished before you leave. Set up a timeline detailing when tasks need to be completed so everyone is on the same page. It can also be helpful to list who will be responsible for which duties while you're away.

Finish projects.

Figure out what you can complete before you go on leave, and take some time to finish what you can. This might mean prioritizing projects that are almost done, tying up loose ends, delegating work, and letting your team know what's ready for the next step.

Brief people on unfinished projects.

If you have unfinished projects, brief the people who will take over while you're gone. Provide as much background information and instructions as possible so they can easily pick up where you left off.

Decide when to start parental leave.

Do you want to start parental leave on a specific date or wait until the baby arrives? Be as clear as possible about when you plan to go on parental leave so everyone involved knows what to expect. This includes notifying HR, if applicable, as well as your manager and team.

Pack a hospital bag.

When you start getting close to the date, pack a hospital bag with items you'll need during your stay, such as extra clothes and toiletries. This way, you'll be ready to go whenever the time comes.

Plan for the future.

Preparing for parental leave also means thinking about what happens after it ends. Consider how you will handle coming back to work. This is also a good time to think about financial specifics such as daycare options, saving for college, and what your emergency fund looks like. You may also want to consider getting life insurance to ensure financial security should anything happen. New parents often choose term life insurance policies that cover them until their children reach adulthood.

Take care of yourself.

It's easy to get lost in everything that goes into preparing for a baby. Don't forget to take time for yourself to relax and prepare mentally for the upcoming changes. Talk to family and friends, get enough rest, and find ways to de-stress.

Source: iQuanti