To be looking forward to going back to work?

[Zimm]

I was delighted to start my maternity leave a year ago. And I have enjoyed many aspects of my maternity leave and of course adore DD. But I actually now really looking forward to spending 3 days a week not cooking for someone who throws it on the floor, dealing tantrums and smelly nappies! I think what is bothering me is I am looking forward to the break from DD rather than the work itself and I feel bad. But I think four days with her and 3 not (with 2 of those 4 having DP there as it will be the weekend) is going to mean I enjoy her more. I didn't think I would feel like this...

[Moulesfrites]

Yanbu

[motherinferior]

My love, I lasted four months on maternity leave. And nearly went bonkers in the process. My first day back at work was utter, utter bliss.

(Clarification: I could only take four months in any case, as I'm a freelancer. And although the baby wasn't around - she was at a childminder - I was based at home when I returned to work. But oh god, the sheer relief...)

[Zimm]

Thanks motherinferior!

[GeraldineAubergine]

Yanbu, I do the same as you, work three days at start of the week and four off, except I do one weekend too. It's a really nice balance and you do lots more fun things on your days off ime. Its nice to use your mind again too :)

[echt]

I went back to work full time, and have remained so, when DD was 7 months old, and was fortunate to have excellent childcare. I was and am not cut out to be SAHM, and count myself lucky that things worked out that I could be the best mum I could be.

[FlubbaBubba]

God, no, YANBU. I'm on #3 now but can't afford to go back to work this time and everyone keeps saying ooh, aren't you lucky? , or ooh, how lovely , and I keep thinking oh bollocks! we're going to all drive each other potty!! :(

[wicketkeeper]

Go for it. 3 days a week is perfect, ime. You have more than half of a 7 day week with your daughter, which keeps the guilt fairy away, and more than half of a 5-day working week at work, which keeps the other guilt fairy away.

[LisaD1]

YANBU - I took around 6 months off then became a childminder, it was the worst thing I could have done, the children were lovely but it takes a special kind of person to do that job and to be a sahm, I really am not that person even though I was sure I would be. I now work 3 days a week in a highly pressurised environment and I LOVE it, my home is so much happier now too as I'm not dragging everyone else down and when I'm home I'm more than happy to be.

My youngest is now nearly 4 so I was home for 3yrs, I lost a lot of myself in that time, have been back at work for 10 months and the old me is back.

Good luck and enjoy :-)

[Zimm]

Thank you everyone for your kind words - on AIBU too! :-)