Back to work in two weeks and dreading it!!!!

[Abwab]

My DS is 6mths old today and i go back to work on the 5th April (3 days a week) and I am dreading it. Its not work i am worried about but more leaving my little man. He is going to Nursery 2 days and my mum is having him 1 day. I know he will be fine but I feel like my heart is breaking at the thought of not beeing with him, although I am looking forward to adult company etc....ahhhhh so many mixed feelings, please give me some moral support!!

[tunise]

Hi, just wanted to say i was in this position when i returned to work 3 weeks ago, dreading it.
It will be ok, it just takes a couple of weeks to get used to it. I also think i enjoy spending time with my baby even more because i know that the time is limited.(i also work a 3 day or rather 3 night week but dd goes to a childminder and sometimes my mum and brother.)
Word of warning, the first day is the worst, i cried on the way home after dropping off dd, so if you are going on to work take tissues, mascara that is waterproof and a bit of extra time to calm and chill out before you arrive.
Best of luck!

[Abwab]

Thanks tunise, it makes me feel alot better just to hear from someone else that has gone through it so recently and that it does get better.

[KathH]

it does get easier honest! i go back on 4th April when ds2 will be just over 6 mths - 3 days a week too. DD1, DD2 and DS1 have all gone to childminder from about 4 mths and have been fine. You'll feel it more than he will but once you've been doing it a few weeks it just becomes the norm. My older kids love their childminder so much - i asked them if they wanted to stay at home tomorrow or go to her - guess who they chose! By going back 3 days you'll have the best of both worlds (hopefully - as thats what i keep telling myself)! Good luck.

[KathH]

by the way - thanks for your reply to my suggestions for tea for a 6 month old, have heard edam may be a good one to try!

[pixiefish]

You'll be fine once you're there and back in the swing.

I still hate leaving dd but don't cry anymore .

[HUNKERMUNKER]

I went back in October, Sundays 10-8 and Wednesdays 3.30-11.30. I actually really enjoy being at work - I get to plan my day, can read the paper over lunch, talk about non-baby things and I don't have to change one single nappy. Plus DS gives me the biggest smiles when I come home. Best of both worlds - enjoy it, ladies!

[KathH]

am going to spend the next 2 wks practising adult conversation (obviously dh doesnt count) - just think, i'll be able to hold a coffee cup with 2 hands instead of 1 hand with ds over the other shoulder. Am just going into the kitchen to practice.

[Abwab]

it's sad isn't it...i have started listening to Radio 2 at lunch time for their hot topics of conversation in preperation for adult chat.

Am taking DS to nursery on Tuesday for an hour of so, and then i will leave him there for a bit on another day that week (more for my denifit than his i think).

Just hoping for a lottery win between now and 5th April!

[emmymummy]

Abwab - you'll be fine. I went back to work 4 days per week when my DD was 5 months old and, although I felt guilty leaving her, going back to work was wonderful for my sanity. As Hunkermunker says, you get a chance to read a paper, drink tea and chat with adults about non-baby subjects (oh and maybe do a bit of work too!). Seriously I found going back to work really liberating for me and I knew that dd was getting fantastic care in her nursery. She is now nearly 3 and loves going to 'school' (as she calls it). It has meant that she's become a very socialble little individual who loves playing & interacting with other children. And at nursery she gets the chance to do loads of activities that we don't get time to do at home (hey and I'd rather get someone else to clear up all the paint / playdo / sand / water on a daily basis). So try to see it as a good thing for both of you.

[wysiwyg]

I returned to work full time when DD1 was 6 months old (she is now 5). I can really understand how you are feeling - but in the end I did find the adult conversation, use of brain and the freedom quite worth it!.

Just prepare to be v tired. I'm now in a similar position with DS who is just 5 months. TBH I really miss work, but am also feeling very sad at the thought that my maternity leave is coming to an end (and won't have any more babies).

The way I got through it was - go back to work, then after 6 months see how you are going. You can always drop your hours, or leave - but if you don't go back you'll never know....

Good luck

[moondog]

You'll be fine Abwab!!!
Sounds like a great arrangement-bit of work, bit of mixing with others, and lovely quality time with Grandma.
I loved going off in the morning unhampered by baby stuuf, and it was lovely to pick her up at the end of the day.
I'm an sahm this time around, and for one thing, it's a lot bloody harder!!!
Am doing a bit of freelance work this week, and boy, am I looking forward to hanging out with grownups for a few hours!

[emmatom]

There have been some lucky ladies here for whom going back to work has been good for them but don't feel guilty if you go back and can't bear it.
I had terrible seperation anxiety with my first child, couldn't bear to leave him and in my lunch hours, if I saw another child out with it's mum, I longed to hold my own child.
Things never got a lot better. My own child was constantly at the front of my mind.
I was forced to retire from my career shortly after because of an injury and the relief was overwhelming.
I went on to have another child and never had to go through the leaving thing again and now they are both at school I have no regrets about anything I may have missed out on and those few years have gone so quickly.
Are you in a position to leave returning to work until they are at primary school?
Whatever happens, good luck but do what is right for you.

[emmatom]

Abwab, Just wondering how you are getting on. Hope all is OK with the work situation.

[snowfallinthesahara]

hi abwab just wondering how things are going?hope everythings working out well!need to leave my 6 month old in june-he'll be 7 & 1/2 by then-and im miserable.