Of course! Here is a high-quality, comprehensive listicle article on "maternity leave wishes," crafted by an expert creative writer.
Watching a colleague, friend, or team member pack up their desk to embark on their maternity leave is a moment filled with a unique mix of emotions. It's a temporary "see you later" to a valued teammate and a huge "congratulations" on the incredible journey ahead. Finding the right words to express your excitement for them, while also acknowledging their contribution at work, can be tricky. You want to be warm, supportive, and sincere, whether you're signing a group card, sending an email, or giving a personal gift.
This guide is here to help you find the perfect message. We’ve curated a list of maternity leave wishes tailored for every kind of workplace relationship, from your work bestie to your boss. Use these as a starting point to celebrate this wonderful transition and send your mom-to-be off with a smile, a full heart, and the reassurance that she is celebrated and supported.
Heartfelt & Sweet Wishes for a Wonderful New Chapter

These messages are warm, sincere, and focus on the joy of the occasion. They are perfect for a close colleague, a work friend, or anyone you want to share a genuinely heartfelt sentiment with.
1. Wishing you all the best as you step into this beautiful new chapter. Enjoy every single moment of this special time.
2. It has been such a pleasure working with you. We’ll miss you dearly, but we are so incredibly excited for you and your growing family.
3. May your maternity leave be a peaceful, restful, and beautiful time of bonding with your new little one. Congratulations!
4. Sending you so much love and our warmest wishes as you prepare to welcome your baby. Enjoy this precious time!
5. Congratulations on your little one on the way! Wishing you a maternity leave full of sweet snuggles, happy moments, and cherished memories.
6. The office won’t be the same without you, but we can’t wait to meet the new tiny team member! Enjoy every second of this new adventure.
7. Wishing you a smooth delivery and a wonderful time getting to know your new baby. We’re all thinking of you and sending our best.
8. Enjoy the journey into motherhood! We are so thrilled for you and wish you nothing but happiness in the coming months.
9. This is such a magical time, and we're so happy to celebrate it with you. Wishing you a calm and joyful maternity leave.
Funny & Realistic Messages for the Mom-to-Be

Perfect for a work bestie or a colleague with a great sense of humor. These messages mix congratulations with a lighthearted, realistic take on parenthood and office life.
1. Enjoy your ‘vacation’! We’ll try not to be too jealous of all the sleeping in you’ll be doing. (Just kidding!) So excited for you!
2. Congratulations on your temporary escape from spreadsheets and deadlines! Your new boss is much cuter but probably more demanding.
3. Get ready to trade your conference calls for baby coos and your coffee breaks for nap times. We’ll miss you, but we’re so thrilled for you!
4. Wishing you a maternity leave that is more peaceful than our weekly team meetings. Enjoy the snuggles!
5. Here’s to a successful project launch! (Code name: Baby!) Can’t wait for the post-launch debrief... and photos!
6. Enjoy swapping your work bag for a diaper bag! We’ll hold down the fort until you get back. Have the best time!
7. Congratulations! May your coffee be strong, your baby’s naps be long, and your return to work be far, far away.
8. I can't wait to hear all about your new, tiny, screaming boss. Best of luck with the new management!
9. Sleep is for the weak! You've got this. We're so excited for you to embark on this wild, wonderful, and sleep-deprived adventure!
Messages for a Valued Colleague or Team Member

These wishes strike the perfect balance between professional and warm. They are ideal for a team card or for a colleague you respect and enjoy working with.
1. Your contributions to this team have been invaluable. We’ll miss your expertise and positive attitude, but we’re so excited for you. Wishing you all the best.
2. Congratulations on this exciting new journey! The whole team is sending you their best wishes for a happy and healthy maternity leave.
3. We'll do our best to keep things running smoothly while you're away, but your presence will definitely be missed. Enjoy this special time with your family!
4. Wishing you a restful and wonderful maternity leave. We’re all so happy for you and can't wait to see pictures of the new arrival!
5. Thank you for all your hard work preparing for your leave. Now it's time to relax and focus on your new adventure. Congratulations!
6. It’s been an honor to work alongside you. Wishing you and your family all the joy in the world as you welcome your new baby.
7. The team won't be the same without you! We wish you all the best for a smooth delivery and a beautiful time with your new little one.
8. On behalf of the entire department, congratulations! We are so excited for you and wish you a peaceful and happy maternity leave.
Supportive & Reassuring Wishes for Your Boss or Employee

Navigating this message requires a specific tone. For a boss, it’s about respect and reassurance. For an employee, it’s about empowerment and support.
For a Boss/Manager:
1. Wishing you all the best on your maternity leave. Thank you for your leadership and guidance. We’ll keep everything on track while you’re away.
2. Congratulations on your growing family! We are so happy for you. Enjoy this precious time away from the office, and don't worry about a thing here.
3. May your maternity leave be a wonderful and relaxing time. We're all wishing you the very best as you start this new chapter.
4. Thank you for being such a great mentor. We’re so excited for you to take on your new role as 'Mom'!
5. Wishing you a joyful and stress-free maternity leave. We’ve got this! Looking forward to hearing your happy news.
For a Direct Report/Employee:
1. You have been a tremendous asset to this team, and we are so excited for you. Please completely unplug and enjoy every moment. Your work will be waiting for you, but this time is for you and your family.
2. Congratulations! Wishing you a restful and worry-free maternity leave. We fully support you taking this time to focus on what matters most.
3. We're so thrilled for you! Please know that we are here to support you. Now, go enjoy those baby cuddles and forget all about us!
4. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. You’ve more than earned this special time. Wishing you a beautiful maternity leave.
5. It’s been a joy to watch you prepare for this moment. We wish you all the happiness in the world. See you next year!
Short & Sweet Messages for a Group Card or Quick Email

Sometimes, less is more. These concise messages are perfect for signing a card that’s making the rounds, or for a quick and friendly Slack or Teams message.
1. So thrilled for you! Enjoy every second.
2. Wishing you all the best on your new adventure!
3. Congratulations and enjoy your maternity leave!
4. We’ll miss you! Have a wonderful time.
5. Best of luck with everything. So happy for you!
6. Enjoy the baby snuggles!
7. Can’t wait to meet your little one. Congrats!
8. Wishing you a peaceful and happy maternity leave.
9. So much love to you and your growing family!
10. Congratulations on your new "promotion" to Mom!
### A Final Thought
The best messages come from the heart. Feel free to mix and match these wishes or add a personal touch—perhaps a small inside joke or a memory of a project you worked on together. Your colleague is about to start one of life’s most profound and rewarding journeys, and a simple, sincere message of support can mean the world as they step away from one family to grow another.