Don't want the maternity leave bubble to burst? When you've spent the past few months attached to your baby 24/7, hanging out at mother and baby groups and going for walks in the park, the idea of facing the real world, with its packed commuter trains, demanding bosses, long working hours and office politics, can seem a little daunting to say the least.
But while looking after a baby might involve a lot of walking in the park, it certainly isn't the proverbial 'walk in the park'. A newborn baby can be more demanding than even the most difficult boss - and as for long hours, try 24 hours a day.
It may take a while to get back into the swing of working life - particularly when you're juggling a job with a family - but there are plenty of benefits, too. From reclaiming your independence and identity to the little things, such as sneaking off to the shops in your lunch hour, work can take on a whole new meaning when you have a baby to come home to each night.