When were you ready to go back to work after DC1?

[KLG3101]

When did you feel ready to go back to work (part time)?

[sananbaz]

When ds was 9 months. It was more for my sanity than anything else, but the money came in handy too! It was 20 hrs a week in an office, but could be worked flexibly - perfect really.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

I went back FT when DC1 was 4 months old. With DC2 I waited until 8 months and went back PT, with DC3 I went back PT at 5 months. Stayed PT until DC3 was 7yrs old.

[KLG3101]

DD is 7 months and I'm starting to fee like I need to use my brain! I'm returning at 11 months 21 hours a week although I feel like I could go sooner (I do love my DD dearly!!)

[Munstermonchgirl]

I think 6 months would have been ideal - though with dc1 I went back at 3 months, because paid maternity leave was so much shorter back then. It was what most of my friends did, so I didn't stress over it too much, but it was hard work, particularly fitting in bf before the morning drop off. 6 months would have been good. I don't think I could cope with a whole year off, which some of my colleagues have now... I imagine that's long enough that I might feel completely as if id moved into a different life and it would be difficult to switch back into work mode. It also seems to coincide with a peak of separation anxiety for children

[divafever99]

Both dc were 12 months when I returned to work, 4 days after dd 1, and will be going back 3 days next week as my maternity leave has just ended. I know what you mean op, I feel ready to use my brain and return to work. I have felt very isolated at times too. Does your employer do KIT (keeping in touch day). I did 6 during my mat leave and found then really helpful. You get paid too. With sufficient notice you can also go back to work earlier too.

[BikeRunSki]

I went back the week before his first birthday (had been off a year and a week), but has been bored for about 3 months. I could face gone back after 9 months, but I was using accumulated leave try n the past 4 years and was at "use it or lose it" stage.

Ironically, second time, I had 15 months off and WA still reluctant to return.