Trying to declutter toys in a family home is quite a daunting task. If there’s one thing that accumulates quickly when you have kids, it’s toys. It can feel overwhelming to try and keep on top of the number of them coming into your home. As children grow and their interests change, toys can multiply! From birthday parties, Christmas, and well-meaning relatives, it can seem that they come into our homes in a steady flow.
We’re joined by Suz Sawtell from Declutter and Breathe, who is here to share her top tips for decluttering a family home of toys.
1. Choose Your Moment
The end of the summer holidays, the beginning of December or a few weeks before a birthday can be great moments to declutter the toys in your home.
Most importantly choose a time when you can bring a positive, focused attitude into your decluttering session. If tackling all the toys in your home feels like far too much at once, set a timer for 10-15 minutes to start with. As you succeed in decluttering it will spur you on to tackle sections which previously felt like a challenge.
2. Go For The Easy Wins
To get off on the right foot, start by decluttering toys that are broken, that have been outgrown or that you’ve not seen your child play with for a while. These are all categories that may require less thought before letting them go and are therefore the ‘quick win’.
3. Work With Your Children
It can feel quite challenging to involve your child in the process, but giving them ownership over their toys will help to create good habits young.
Help your child to focus on the toys they have outgrown or have broken beyond repair. Encourage your child to identify the toys they love and want to create space for. Talk to your child about passing toys on to younger children they know who might appreciate them or to children who might not have as many toys.
This can be a really powerful way of helping them to engage in the process.
4. Create Your Exit Strategies And Plan Them Into Your Diary
Before you begin to declutter the toys in your home, identify how you can get rid of your toys, and which ones are correct for each. Items that are broken and need to go in the bin are easiest to sort. But if booking a trip to the recycling centre / a charity shop drop / donation to a local toy drive is needed, then book a date into your diary at your earliest opportunity.
You would be surprised the toys that children suddenly find interest in again when they know they need to leave the house! Aim to have the decluttered toys out of the house as quickly as possible.
5. Toy Rotation Can Help
If your child is struggling with overwhelm when it comes to playing, consider whether you could rotate the toys that you have available for them at any one time. Reducing the number of toys your children have ready access to can help them to focus in their playing and fully explore a toy. Rotate toys periodically to keep their interest in the toys they have available.
6. Categorise Your Toys
It’s a great idea to have a basket for each toy type. Think cars in one basket, animals in another, dolls in yet another. Using picture labels with a descriptive word of what is inside can not only help increase your child’s independence in accessing their toys but also hopefully in tidying away after a play session.
Having your child’s toys categorised will also help you to notice whether you have too much of something. If this is the case, using a ‘one-in-one-out’ rule can be helpful. This means that as a new toy is brought into your home, you use it to replace something you already had.
7. Organise Them With Your Child In Mind
Consider how best your child plays and how they like to access their toys, make it easy for them as this will increase independence as they grow. You may also have toys that you are happy for your child to access without supervision. Whilst arts and crafts (for example) might be kept separately to avoid these being used without support. Make it easy for your child to put their toys away and it will help you to reset their toy area at the end of the day.
Finally, creating a decluttering routine can be a helpful way of preventing overwhelm and ensuring your home remains manageable. And don’t forget to reward yourself with your favourite snack or self-care routine after your declutter!
Thanks To Suz – Declutter And Breathe
Declutter & Breathe is a Professional Organising Service providing support to busy families, helping them to create a space in which the whole family thrives. Founder, Suz Sawtell, is a registered Social Worker and Trauma Informed Practitioner with extensive experience in supporting families through transitions, working with parents and children aged 0-18. Declutter & Breathe provides compassionate and non-judgemental support to families in person, throughout Essex and online across the UK.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Sometimes the thought of doing experiments with your toddler can fill even the most adventurous parent with dread. The very thought of collecting every spare container in your house, a hunt for ingredients you haven’t got for an experiment that only lasts a minute or two or doesn’t work at all can be pretty disheartening.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Science is really only exploring the world around you and as our under 5’s are natural explorers, you don’t need a lot of expensive (or messy) stuff to do some great science with them.
We’re joined by Abigail White, founder and franchisor of LoveScience & Mini Boffins, who has 5 easy experiments to do with your toddler that won’t cost you a penny.
1 – Changing Shadows
You need: a toy, pens and paper
Choose a fairly large toy, the taller and more unique the shape, the easier it is to see.
Lay some pieces of paper on the floor in the sun and place the toy on it so that you can see the shadow it casts. (As it ist highly likely that toy will be in demand at some point during the day, remember to mark out where you have put it)
Draw around the shadow that the toy makes.
Wait about an hour and check the toy again, the shadow will have moved and changed shape, draw around it again.
Keep going all day and you will have a lovely arc of toy shapes.
The science: as the sun moves across the sky the toy will block the light at a slightly different angle. This makes the shadow move around in an arc.
2. Magic Diamonds
You need: paper, scissors, pencils and a bowl of water
Cut out a square of paper about 3cm x 3cm.
Colour it in and draw a picture in the middle.
To make the diamond, fold the corners of the square into the middle so that the picture is covered up – make sure the points don’t overlap.
Very carefully place the diamond in the water with the points on the top. The points of the diamond will start to open out as if by magic and your picture will be revealed.
You could extend this by changing the size of the squares or the type of paper.
The science: paper is essentially woven so there are tiny gaps between the strands. When it gets wet, these strands swell up and push against each other forcing the folded points to open.
3. Invisible Ink Pictures
You need: paper, lemon juice, a hairdryer, or cotton bud
Using the cotton bud, draw a picture on a piece of paper in lemon juice.
Leave it until all the wet spots have dried out.
Put the hairdryer on its highest heat setting and use it to heat up the paper.
As the paper gets hotter, the picture will start to appear.
You can also iron the paper or put it in the oven to get the same effect.
This is also a great way to ‘age’ paper for older children’s school projects.
The science: When the lemon juice is heated up, it starts to break down and carbon is released. When this carbon reacts with oxygen in the air, it turns the lemon juice a darker colour.
4. Release The Frozen Toys – Toddler Experiments
You need: water, a freezable bowl, plastic toys, salt, a squeezy bottle, optional food colouring
Arrange all the toys in the bowl. You can just use your favourite toys or use leaves and animals to make a jungle theme, planets, spaceships and cut-out stars to make a space theme – you get the idea.
Fill the bowl with water and put it in the freezer – if you use cooled, boiled water, you will get clearer ice.
When it has frozen, take it out of the freezer and turn it out onto a tray – you will have a frozen dome with your toys trapped in the middle.
Fill the squeezy bottle with water, and food colouring if you like, and add a couple of teaspoons of salt.
Squirt the salty water all over the frozen dome, it will start to melt and you will be able to rescue the trapped toys!
If you don’t have a squeezy bottle, you can use a medicine syringe or a jug to pour the water over the dome.
The science: using salt makes the ice melt at a lower temperature . Think about putting salt on the roads in the winter. This means that the dome will start to melt quickly – you can use warm water to speed the process up even further.
5. Chromatography Art
You need: dark felt tip pens, kitchen roll, water
Lay the kitchen towel out on a plate or tray and draw penny-sized blobs with the felt tip pens, make sure you leave plenty of white space in between the blobs
Now dip your finger in the water and put it in the middle of one of the blobs. The water will be absorbed by the kitchen towel and the ink will start to run. When it stops spreading, dip your finger in the water again and put it towards the edge of the blob to keep extending it out.
Repeat with all the blobs.
Dark colours will separate out into different colours and you’ll get a lovely tie dye type effect.
When it dries, the kitchen towel will also be slightly see-through. You can cut it into shapes or draw a frame around it to look like a stained glass window. They look lovely stuck to a window on a sunny day.
The science: felt tip pens are made up of different colour inks. When they dissolve in the water, they start to spead along the kitchen towel. The ink with the smallest molecules will travel farther that the bigger ones and so the colours all spread out.
Thanks to Abigail – LoveScience
Abigail is a former secondary science teacher who set up LoveScience in 2013 to give primary and nursery-aged children access to good quality practical science. It is now an award-winning franchise that runs clubs for thousands of children a year across Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Scotland. We’re more than grateful for these toddler science experiments and hope you enjoy them too!
**Disclaimer** The toddler experiments listed here are suggested activities only and should always be carried out under adult supervision. It remains the responsibility of the parent/carer to assess the suitability of any activity carried out with children based on their age and ability. Evolution Education Ltd (t/a LoveScience) cannot be held responsible for any accidents or injuries caused during carrying out these experiments
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Thinking of heading to your first baby class but not sure what happens? Feeling baffled by the sheer number of options to choose from? Or have you chosen something / been invited by a friend, but have no idea what to expect?
We get it – sometimes just leaving the house with a baby can feel overwhelming, let alone turning up at a new place. These answers to some of the most frequently asked questions should help you feel at ease as you take that first step into the world of baby classes.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
What Happens At A Baby Class?
With so many wonderful classes now available to choose from, what happens at your baby class very much depends on what you have gone along to!
Broadly speaking, structured classes (like baby sensory, massage, yoga or signing) will involve the class provider leading the class with songs, movement and props.
Typically the adults and babies will sit (or lie!) in a circle, with the person leading in the middle or sitting as part of the circle, so everyone is facing each other.
Often the class will follow roughly the same structure every week, so you’ll get used to the songs and activities. Babies thrive on repetition!
More unstructured sessions (like stay-and-plays, messy play and playgroups) are ones where children choose their activities, perhaps with a more structured portion at the end for tidying up and songs. These give you more of an opportunity to chat with other parents, or just relax with a cup of tea and a biscuit while your baby explores! Also look out for Rhyme Times in your local libraries, which are a lovely place to kick-start your little one’s love of reading, too.
Lots of parents attend a mix of structured and unstructured classes throughout the week.
‘I want to meet other mums and other babies. People at the same stage of life, going through the same thing. If I’m at home alone by myself, I don’t get that.’ (Sonia, Happity parent)
How Do I Choose A Class?
It can be hard to pick when you’ve never been to any classes. Especially when there is so much to choose from! Running a quick search on Happity will give you a pretty comprehensive list of everything on near you, and is a good place to start.
For a little more guidance, check out this article about lovely things to try for every stage and age.
Pro tip: Got a venue you particularly like or which is easy to get to for you? Click on the venue name on Happity to see all classes which run there.
What If My Baby Cries?
Rest assured, classes are some of the most supportive, safe spaces you can be in. They are a great place to build your confidence if you’re just getting back to leaving the house more often again.
If your baby cries, you are free to soothe them in whatever way you would normally. Whether that’s feeding, getting up and bouncing, rocking in the pram. You might choose to stay ‘in the circle’, or get up and move away: both are totally fine. Class providers are totally used to babies crying in their classes – and so are other parents, too!
It can be better than being in a cafe or other public space, as you know everyone in a baby class is there for the same reason – to support each other and their babies.
‘I’d arrive at Baby Rhyme Time at the local Children’s Centre feeling flustered after pushing the pram up the hill. I’d always be welcomed in and encouraged to sit down. One member of staff would often help me comfort my baby while I had a much-needed break and cup of tea!’ (Liz, Team Happity)
What If My Baby Falls Asleep?
They very likely will. Especially if you are in the newborn phase!
What happens at most baby classes is that at least one or two babies will be caught sleeping. It’s very common. Remember: the benefits of getting out, socialising in a group and creating routines are for both of you.
Wellness and post-natal fitness, yoga and pilates classes are great to try when your baby is still sleeping for large parts of the day. You’ll typically find babies will lie or sleep on a mat on the floor while parents exercise in the space next to them. It’s a great way of starting to feel more like you while your baby is getting their much-needed sleep. Buggy Fitness is another fun (and outdoor) option for if your baby is sleeping loads. You can get fit while they snooze!
Alternatively, Bring your baby classes have a great variety of flexible and fun activities. Everything from guided walks in London to baby-friendly cinema screenings.
Do I Need To Book In Advance?
Once you’ve made up your mind to go, it’s a good idea to book. This lets the class provider know you’re coming, and ensures there is space for you when you get there. Most classes can be booked right up until they start – it doesn’t have to be weeks in advance.
If the class allows drop-ins, it will say on their Happity page.
Will Everyone Else Already Know Each Other?
No, not at all! While many friendships are made at classes, and sometimes people go together, most parents go along to classes by themselves (with their baby/toddler, obviously).
If people are chatting in the class when you go along, it’s probably because they met each other there last week for the first time!
Classes where you book in for a course or a whole term give good opportunities to make friends. You’ll see the same group week-to-week. Also, class providers will often create a WhatsApp group or some way for you to chat to each other outside of class.
‘The most popular class here is at a lady’s house. She offers coffee and tea afterwards, and you can chat. It’s a really nice atmosphere.’ (Anastasia, Happity parent)
Is My Baby Ready To Start Classes?
Your baby is never too young to start spending dedicated, quality time with you. Whenever you’re ready to start getting out and about, they are too.
If you feel they enjoy ‘people-watching’ or movement, light and colours, there’s likely to be a class out there you’ll both enjoy, such as baby sensory. There’s really no specific age to start. Some people start as early as 6-8 weeks, often waiting until after the first set of vaccinations.
That said, there’s no need to pressure yourself to start attending classes until you are ready. It can take time to feel comfortable and confident leaving the house, and time spent cuddling on the sofa, or playing peek-a-boo on the playmat, is just as valuable for your baby.
‘Around 4 months I started to notice Clara had more engagement with sensory toys. And friends also said their babies were getting more out of classes at that age, too. So that’s when I started looking.’ (Anastasia, Happity Parent)
Have a read of our article about lovely things to try for every stage.
Is It Too Late To Start Classes With My Toddler?
Definitely not! Taking older babies and toddlers to classes can be even more rewarding, as they start to sing along, join in with actions, and anticipate their favourite parts of the class – especially if you go to the same thing every week.
There are so many social and developmental benefits to taking your toddler along to classes, including getting used to other children and adults, turn taking, empathy and following simple instructions.
Please note the names of Happity parents have been changed to protect their privacy.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
As parents, one of the most challenging aspects of raising a baby is managing their sleep schedule. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, your little one decides it’s time for a change. Nap transitions are a natural part of your baby’s development, but they can be confusing and sometimes frustrating for parents.
In this comprehensive guide created by our partner, Onoco, we’ll explore the ins and outs of nap transitions for your baby, backed by scientific research and expert opinions, to help you navigate this important phase of your baby’s growth.
The Science Behind Baby Naps
Before diving into nap transitions for your baby, it’s crucial to understand why naps are so important Dr. Erin Evans, a pediatric sleep specialist, explains, “Naps play a vital role in a baby’s physical and cognitive development. During sleep, babies consolidate memories, process information, and even grow.”
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that naps help babies learn and remember new information. The researchers discovered that infants who napped after learning a new skill were more likely to remember it compared to those who didn’t nap.
Moreover, a review in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews highlighted that adequate daytime sleep in infants is associated with better nighttime sleep, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive performance.
The Typical Nap Transition Timeline
While every baby is unique, most follow a similar pattern when it comes to nap transitions. Here’s a general timeline based on information from the American Academy of Pediatrics and sleep expert Dr. Marc Weissbluth:
Newborn to 3 months: 4-5 naps per day 3-4 months: 4 naps per day 5-6 months: Drop to 3 naps 7-9 months: Drop to 2 naps 12-18 months: Drop to 1 nap 3-5 years: Drop the last nap
It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and your baby may transition earlier or later than these ranges.
Comfortable bedding for infant children. Newborn baby boy in bed sleeping under gray knitted soft blanket napping for newborns in bed
What Are The Signs?!
4 to 3 Naps Transition (5-6 months)
This transition often coincides with the 4-month sleep regression. Your baby’s sleep cycles are maturing, and they can stay awake for longer periods.
Signs it’s time:
Baby fights the fourth nap
The last nap of the day interferes with bedtime
Night sleep becomes disrupted
How to manage:
Gradually extend wake windows
Push the third nap later if needed
Adjust bedtime earlier temporarily
3 to 2 Naps Transition (7-9 months)
This transition can be tricky as your baby might not be quite ready for just two naps but struggles with three.
Signs it’s time:
Baby consistently refuses the third nap
Bedtime becomes very late with three naps
Morning wake-up time becomes earlier
How to manage:
Start by pushing the first nap a little later
Aim for two longer naps instead of three shorter ones
Be prepared for a slightly earlier bedtime
2 to 1 Nap Transition (12-18 months)
This is often the most challenging transition for both babies and parents.
Signs it’s time:
Baby consistently refuses one of the naps
Nighttime sleep is affected (early waking or difficulty falling asleep)
One nap becomes significantly shorter than the other
How to manage:
Gradually push the morning nap later
Aim for one long midday nap
Adjust bedtime earlier initially to prevent overtiredness
Dropping The Last Nap (3-5 years)
This final transition can happen gradually over several months or even years.
Signs it’s time:
Child has difficulty falling asleep at night
Naps interfere with bedtime
Child can go without a nap and not be overly tired
How to manage:
Start with occasional “no nap” days
Replace nap time with quiet time
Be prepared for earlier bedtimes on no-nap days
The Role Of Sleep Pressure And Circadian Rhythm
Understanding sleep pressure and circadian rhythm can help you navigate nap transitions more effectively. Dr. Craig Canapari, Director of the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center, explains, “Sleep pressure builds up the longer a child is awake. At the same time, their internal clock (circadian rhythm) influences when they feel sleepy.”
As your baby grows, their ability to tolerate sleep pressure increases, allowing for longer wake windows. Meanwhile, their circadian rhythm becomes more established, leading to more predictable sleep patterns.
Common Challenges During Nap Transitions
Overtiredness: During transitions, babies can easily become overtired, leading to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Short Naps: As babies adjust to new schedules, naps may initially be shorter. Inconsistency: Babies might alternate between old and new nap patterns for several weeks. Night Sleep Disruptions: Changes in daytime sleep can temporarily affect nighttime sleep.
How Onoco App Can Help With Nap Transitions
Navigating nap transitions can be complex, but tools like the Onoco app can significantly simplify the process. Onoco is designed to help parents track their baby’s sleep patterns, making it easier to identify when a nap transition is beginning and how it’s progressing. Key features of Onoco that assist with nap transitions include:
Sleep Tracking: Log nap times, durations, and nighttime sleep to spot emerging patterns.
Data Visualization: See changes in your baby’s sleep patterns over time through easy-to-understand graphs and charts.
Customizable Schedules: Adjust your baby’s schedule as nap needs change, ensuring you always have an up-to-date plan
Wake Window Tracking: Monitor the time between naps to help you adjust wake windows appropriately during transitions.
Sleep Analysis: Receive insights about your baby’s sleep trends, helping you make informed decisions about nap transitions.
Reminders: Set alerts for nap times and bedtimes to maintain consistency during transitions.
By using Onoco, parents can take a data-driven approach to nap transitions for their baby, reducing guesswork and stress. The app’s comprehensive tracking features allow you to see the bigger picture of your baby’s sleep patterns, making it easier to identify when a transition is occurring and how to best manage it. Visit onoco.com to learn more about this app.
Conclusion
Nap transitions for a baby are a normal and necessary part of development. While they can be challenging, understanding the process, recognizing the signs, and having the right tools can make these transitions smoother for both you and your baby.
Remember that every baby is unique, and flexibility is key. What works for one child may not work for another. Be patient with your little one and yourself as you navigate these changes. With careful observation, consistent routines, and the help of tracking tools like Onoco, you can successfully guide your baby through each nap transition, ensuring they get the sleep they need for healthy growth and development.
As your baby grows and their sleep needs evolve, celebrate these milestones. Each nap transition brings you one step closer to a more predictable schedule and, eventually, a full night’s sleep. Stay positive, stay informed, and remember that this phase, like all others in parenting, is temporary.
Thanks To This Month’s Partner: Onoco
Onoco is an all-in-one baby and newborn tracker, designed to help you record, track and share your baby’s care with ease.
With integrated breastfeeding, bottle and solids trackers; plus sleep, growth, potty training, and custom logs for everything from tummy time to tantrums; Onoco also includes milestones and developmental tips, family calendar, AI predictive nap times, and so much more.
It’s no wonder this super-app was named Apple’s ‘Next Best Things’ for parents.
Disclaimer: Onoco are our partner brand for July 2024. This partnership will help us in our goal of connecting more parents with classes and to help find support near them.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Lisa from Mountain HR shares her advice on when to tell your employer that you’re pregnant. We hope that her tips and advice will help!
Pregnancy Often Comes With Questions
Celebrating a new pregnancy is an exciting time! But along with the excitement, there are often anxieties and your head will be full of questions. One of the biggest questions you’ll face is when to tell your boss the good news. I remember the nervousness of sharing my pregnancy news at work; not knowing that I had already given the game away by eating ginger nuts at 9am.
The timing of this announcement is extremely personal and you need to do it on your terms, in your own way. You may be worried that becoming a mum will affect your career or your relationship with your employer.
Being pregnant doesn’t have to mean putting your career on hold. You have important rights that ensure fair treatment and support throughout your pregnancy. This includes protection from dismissal or discrimination due to your condition, paid time off for prenatal appointments, and generous maternity leave options. Your employer is also responsible for keeping your workplace safe for you and your baby.
These five tips will help you to share the news in the best way possible!
1. Get Informed Before the Conversation
This advice extends to all areas of pregnancy – it empowers you to make choices and navigate your pregnancy and maternity with confidence.
Before you chat with your manager, read through your company’s maternity policies and guides and find out what leave and pay benefits they offer and whether you are eligible.
As well as pay and leave, you also have protection against unfair treatment and the right to reasonable adjustments to ensure your safety and well-being at work. So, have a read through those policies too or speak to your HR team in confidence.
2. Think About Your Health and Safety
Your health and your baby’s health should always come first. If your job involves heavy lifting, dangerous situations, or high levels of stress, it’s smart to tell your employer that you’re pregnant sooner so they can make necessary adjustments to keep you safe.
3. Timing the Announcement
When you tell people you are pregnant is completely up to you in the first few months, and there are many personal reasons to delay sharing the news. Don’t feel pressured to follow what you think you ‘should’ do—do what’s best for you. As long as you inform your employer at least 15 weeks before your baby is due, the timing is totally up to you!
Here are some reasons why telling them sooner may work for you:
Morning Sickness, Fatigue, or Other Symptoms: If you have morning sickness, fatigue, or other symptoms, they can provide adjustments and support.
Maternity Pay and Leave: You can start to ask questions about maternity pay and leave and begin planning.
Physical or Hazardous Work: If you do physical or hazardous work, you might want an early risk assessment.
Focus on Your Family: You can focus on your growing family without the added stress of hiding your pregnancy or managing symptoms alone at work.
You can tell a trusted HR colleague in confidence if you need answers but aren’t ready to tell your boss just yet. Whoever you tell, let them know it is in confidence and that you are not ready to share widely just yet.
You should never feel pressure to tell them before you are ready! You can wait until the legal timeframe if that feels right for you.
4. Planning the Conversation
When you’re ready to tell your employer that you’re pregnant, having a plan can help:
Pick the Right Time: Let them know in a one-to-one or set up a private meeting with your manager so you have enough time to talk without interruptions.
Be Prepared: Know your due date and have some initial thoughts about your maternity leave. This will set expectations from the start and help you to stay in control of the process.
Stay Positive: This is happy news, so don’t feel the need to apologise! Keep the conversation upbeat and be positive about helping to find your maternity cover and giving them a great handover.
Discuss Adjustments: If you need any changes to your role or working conditions right away, bring them up during the conversation. Your employer is required to make reasonable adjustments, and you should feel comfortable discussing them.
5. Handling Reactions
People will react differently to your news. Most will be happy for you, but some might worry about the impact on the team or have personal reasons why the news is difficult. If they do express concerns about any impacts, simply reassure them that you’re keen to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Once you tell your employer that you’re pregnant, you will need to give them your MATB1 when you receive it later on in your pregnancy and have regular check-ins about the transition as well as your well-being.
Good Luck!
Telling your employer about your pregnancy requires some thought and planning, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. If you feel anxious or receive an unexpected reaction, seek support from HR or a trusted third party immediately. Remember, you are not alone, and inappropriate behaviour is never your fault.
Knowing your rights and doing a bit of planning will set you off in the best possible way. Prioritise your health and well-being, and remember that your employer should support you during this exciting time.
Thanks To Lisa – Mountain HR
If you have any questions or need more support, get in touch to learn about my Pregnancy & Maternity E-Book or my Pregnancy & Return to Work Coaching sessions. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and best of luck on this wonderful journey ahead!
Lisa Thompson is the owner of Mountain HR, an HR, Training & Coaching Consultancy based in London and Kent. Through her work with individuals and businesses, she helps to create safe and supportive workplaces for women and new parents. You can find out more on her website or on her socials Instagram / LinkedIn. You can also email her at [email protected].
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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