Mumsnet Talk

I'm now three weeks away from returning to work and having been through the usual crises and anxieties, I'm now keen to focus on the positives. So I wondered what you all thought was the best thing about returning to work after maternity leave. At the moment, I'm thinking:

1. Gossip - catching up with the office scandal (and from what I hear, there's been some good stuff going on in my absence!)

2. Being able to dig out the killer heels again, although I fear that pregnancy and new motherhood may have permanently destroyed my ability to balance on them.

3. Doing something on my own, rather than being a constant chaperone for the little guy (like those minders who escort around Hollywood stars and are generally ignored whilst the star of the show laps up the attention).

4. Being asked questions that I can confidently give an answer to, rather than "do you think he's tired/cold/hungry?" or "should he be doing that?" or "why is his poo that colour?"

What else should I be looking forward to?

having a cup of tea without someone needing something, or trying to grab it

Going to the loo unaccompanied.

Every time you pick up ds or dd from whatever daycare they have it's like getting the best present ever.

Money - though only slightly better after childcare costs than SMP. Nothing else. Work is hard, unrelenting, stressful, long day with commute. Much rather not be doing it but needs must.

Quiet time. I have an office to myself and with 3 small children 5 hours of relative silence is pure bliss.

And I love putting my shift dresses on and knowing for the next 5 hours or so no one is going to dribble, puke or wipe their nose on it!

I used to like being able to close the toilet door and not having to share my lunch

- "You" time, even if it's not exactly they type of you time you'd choose to have.
- Adult conversation - I adore my mummy friends but chat always goes back to sleep /poo / milk etc
- Being paid!
- Actvtities that don't involve chasing a toddler round a climbing frame or singing nursery rhymes.
- Having time alone, be it on the commute, in the loo, buying your lunch.

I don't particularly like my job and wasn't looking forward to going back. But, I went back part time, and that was the best of both worlds for me. Mind you, I'm back on mat leave soon!

Oh and being able to eat a chocolate bar or a cake openly, not feeling guilty!

I get breaks - a quick one in the morning then a full 1/2 hour for lunch.

Those alone are worth going for

The drive there and back - which is totally your own time. Oh and lunch breaks - bliss. And people who know you as ginmakesitallok and not ginmakesitallok's daughters' mummy.

Gin - not if your dc go to your workplaces' onsite nursery, no time to switch off at all!

Ah yes the drive to and from work! Radio on or off, my choice of station and not having to listen to the same Adele song over and over and over and over again so DD3 can learn all the words.

I am looking forward to wearing high heels and choosing outfits without having to consider ease of boob access!

Agree with the commute - this is my first week back after a years mat leave and I have a 40 min train ride in to work. The other day there were major delays so I got almost 1.5 hours of uninterrupted reading time! Lovely!

Eating your lunch with no interuptions.

If on public transport being able to take a book and read.

- those little quiet moments during the working day when you remember you are going home to your baby. I've been back at work for a year now, and these moments still make my tummy flutter with excitement.

Taking paid holiday when the kids are already booked into childcare that you have to pay for whether they go or not, so you might as well send them and have a day to yourself.............

'Tis the biggest thing I miss now I'm a SAHM

Oh yes Jojay - those days are very special

Having quiet time and being able to sit down and "think".

Mainly money though and the realisation that without me working 3 days we wouldn't be able to afford a lot of things - that thought actually scares me a bit!!!

Peace and quiet. I now work at home (DD in nursery) but even working in a noisy office it was easier to tune out colleagues c.f. a toddler.

You will appreciate the time you get with your DC so much.

Cups of tea drunk without interruption. No food strains on your clothes. Lunchbreaks.

Mooching around the shops without a buggy at lunchtime, eating a whole sandwich without being harassed for a taste!

I have a great job. I love -
The money
The days off
Annual leave