Returning to work after maternity leave is one of the biggest emotional transitions many mothers experience. After months of being your baby’s entire world—feeding them, comforting them, learning their every sound and cue—the idea of spending several hours away can feel overwhelming. Before becoming a mother, I knew I would eventually return to work. Staying home permanently was not an option for me. But knowing something logically and being emotionally ready for it are two completely different things. Unlike many mothers, I was fortunate enough to receive three months of fully paid maternity leave. While I wasn’t as lucky as mothers who have six months or more, I remain incredibly…