When you return to work after becoming a parent, there is a lot to think about, including how you will fit in extra responsibilities. These tips can help you get the most out of your time at home and at work.

It is worth thinking about the balance between your work and the other important things in your life, especially your children and family. A good work-life balance is good for your children and good for you too.

Mindfulness is paying attention to what is happening right now, moment by moment. Mindfulness can boost emotional and physical wellbeing, and help with stress, anxiety and depression. Mindfulness can help children handle the stress of study, work and play as they get older.

Play is key to your child’s learning, development, confidence and well-being.Unstructured, free play is the best type of play for young children. There are many ways you can encourage playful learning at every age.

If you’re bilingual, you use two languages. If you’re multilingual, you use more than two.Raising multilingual or bilingual children has many benefits. It can create strong family and cultural bonds, and it has potential academic benefits as well. Yet raising multilingual or bilingual children may have challenges in time and effort.

Some children take longer or need more help to settle into child care. Share information with your child’s educators about your child’s feelings and experiences at child care. Work with the educators to help your child build a trusting relationship with them.

Try to ease your child into the new child care routine. Make time to stay with your child for the first few mornings. Make sure your child has enough attention and time for rest and quiet play at home. A good relationship with early childhood educators can help children to settle in.

Many children have separation anxiety and fear of strangers when starting child care. These are normal parts of child development. You might feel strong emotions like excitement or anxiety when your child starts care. Be positive around your child and share your worries with friends and families if you need to.

Give your child care service information about your child’s sleep, preferred learning and social activities, allergies and so on. Prepare yourself and your child by spending some time at the service in the days and weeks before you start. Get organised the night before starting child care. This will help the first day go smoothly.

Toys and games for children – how do you know what’s best? Finding toys that your child will enjoy and learn from is about understanding which play ideas suit which age. Toys don't need to be expensive. Some of the best playthings cost little or nothing.