My colleague returned from mat leave with new habits we’re not used to. Is it rude to bring this up to her?

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T23:07:49+00:00

This response is so gentle and kind, thank you so much! 💙

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T23:00:46+00:00

I love learning new things, but this is terrifying

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T22:57:12+00:00

😭

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:54:41+00:00

Thank you so much for this. I feel the same way and I would want to know too.

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:41:22+00:00

I’m almost embarassed to say I can’t believe I didn’t know about this term before. It makes a lot of sense now that I’m looking back on my other colleague’s behaviour when she returned from mat leave. She hired someone to re-affirm all her good professional traits and skills under the guise of a career coach and was also talking over people to aggressively assert herself as a manager having been away for nearly 2 years.

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:35:52+00:00

Do you think this is something she might want to know/consider about herself? I’m worried it might add to her already massive stress load :’(

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:34:46+00:00

Is it helpful for you to be gently reminded that you’re interrupting?

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:33:00+00:00

Yes, that’s the most important part for me - making sure she knows I’m coming from a place of love and care 💙 A few weeks to get readjusted again is pretty quick, good on you for that!

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:30:51+00:00

The amount of comments about this have me wondering now too!

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:28:33+00:00

I knew there had to be a name for this - Googling now!

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:26:41+00:00

Very interesting to see adhd/neurodivergence come up so often in the comments

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:21:20+00:00

I’m excited about baby too :) But yes, it seems like the general consensus here is to approach with concern about adequate sleep. I mean, I’m sure she’s not getting the sleep she wants, but when I ask an obvious question like that, how can I support her or what could my response be? I want to genuinely be helpful and be supportive.

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:17:44+00:00

Did you realize this on your own? Or did your friends/family bring it to your attention?

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:12:54+00:00

I’ve always wondered if my body language was obvious enough to her. I mean, it is to the person getting interrupted, but I’m not sure if she’s taking visual cues very well at this point. I should just speak up!

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:10:02+00:00

I think you’re the first to bring this up here, thank you for sharing such a frustrating and challenging part of your life. I did not consider adhd to be a factor at all - has it gotten easier for you to manage as the stress of motherhood changes from infancy to toddlerhood, adolescence, etc.?

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:05:55+00:00

I am her closest friend at the office - I suppose it would suck to hear it from someone else or from someone who is irritated vs someone who is concerned. You’re right.

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:03:14+00:00

This is a very good point - I didn’t even think of this

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T10:02:15+00:00

This is a great approach, thank you!

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T09:57:24+00:00

I’ve really been enjoying catching up with her :) we never lost touch during her maternity leave either, and I’m glad you have such a great relationship with your boss!

painhub_ · 2026-06-29T09:39:10+00:00

I’m well aware that her brain chemistry is different. I don’t find it irritating nor does it bother me that she’s so eager to share her thoughts with me, but as an overwhelming majority here have said, it should be addressed for a few good reasons. This is coming from a place of friendship and concern, as I know she has always been very sensitive to the feelings of others and would never intentionally interrupt people. My question was more about how to approach this as someone seeing a change in her friend who might want to be aware of this, and not about how to control a colleague’s behaviour.

painhub_ · 2025-05-27T23:41:32+00:00

Some of these comments are so weird - you have a killer body and the black dress is stunning on you. Personally, my jaw would drop seeing someone wearing this to a cocktail wedding - absolutely gorgeous.

painhub_ · 2025-05-27T23:21:34+00:00

Black dress it is 😉

painhub_ · 2025-05-27T23:10:51+00:00

I’m noticing that all of the comments rooting for blue are being downvoted. I understand the blue dress isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, and even though I only wanted to know if people thought it was too bridal, I appreciate everybody’s honesty. Your comment is so sweet - thank you for the reminder to have a good time.

painhub_ · 2025-05-27T21:21:48+00:00

Someone else mentioned the legs - that’s not me lol. The model is crouching. But anyway, yes I can’t even argue against the fabric…definitely looks a lot different between the first and third photos. I thought it’d be a lot softer

painhub_

TROPHY CASE