I've been on maternity leave since New Year, awaiting arrival of first baby at the end of the month. I enjoyed my job, but i'm not bothered about not actually working at the moment especially, and the commute was really knackering me out tbh.
Trouble is, i'm sort of rattling around at home- getting loads of chores done and last minute baby bits/ washing so i'm busy enough, but it just feels, well, weird not actually having to do anything until the baby arrives. Daytime TV generally sucks, and I feel scared that when the little one arrives I'll be trapped in Daytime TV/ not getting dressed hell. I also feel like I should be doing important things and feel bad lazing around 
Yesterday I spent all afternoon driving myself nuts looking at ideas for new careers/jobs, and getting stressed about it, when i'm not going to be returning to work until at least 2012, if at all, as I feel I should be actively contributing (even though I don't need to be) 
(i'm obviously more of an uptight person than I thought!)
Please someone tell me that it's okay to flop around and read a book/ watch box sets/ Mumsnet all day without feeling guilty! DP comes home from work and asks me how my day is (there's no pressure or impetus from him btw) and I feel odd and a little guilty saying that I haven't actually done much!
How did you cope with going from working full time to being at home alone with baby all day? Any advice much appreciated as finding it hard to adjust...
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Pregnancy
Maternity leave freaking me out- please tell me i'm weird!
CheeseChomper · 11/01/2011 14:11
Thanks all, I know deep down that it's okay to not do much, but I think I (and lots of women in society in general) have been conditioned to 'get a career' and when you stop working it takes time to adjust- like Shelbee I didn't realise that perhaps my sense of 'me' has been tied up in working, which is odd as although I like my job, it certainly wasn't the career I set out to do and I don't love it!
Have been getting up with DP too as start feeling like a student again laying in too much! 
Think what I'll do is use the mornings for chores and getting stuff done, and then spend the afternoon relaxing (guilt free!)
I had the major guilts when I started mat leave. I even made lists of what I'd achieved to show DP when he got home and then I learned to chill the fuck out.
What you're doing now (i.e. not much) is the best and most important thing you can do (well.. that and some chuff massage)
When the baby first arrives, don't put pressure on yourself to fill your day with anything other than being with your new being :)
A little while down the line, just make sure that you get out and go to baby groups, see old friends and accept all offers of babysitting so you can keep one eye on your 'grown-up' interests (keeping up to date with your career area, carrying on a hobby, or even just getting out to the flicks with DP)
all the best
OMG I remember it well. I work in care so had to go on maternity leave 2 months before due date cos my back just couldnt handle the lifting etc anymore.
I remember watching loads of films and the huge freezer was stocked to the very top with nothing but tupperware containers of everything I cooked
Enjoy it while you can cos its theres no such thing as me time when LO comes.
Dont be too hard on your self. I lost my job about 7+ months ago (never been out of work since I was 15 now 33) and just after I found out I was pregnant I have been looking for jobs and trying to get one since then and no one wants a preggers woman. I was so bored but then had so much other stuff going on it was crazy! I have a 5yrs old DS (which was with my ex husband) and im now 28 weeks with 2nd (with my DP of 3 yrs). With DS I was off work for materninty leave but I had dissloacated my knee as well so I found it really hard as could not get about at all my leg was in a cast for 6 weeks then loads of painful physio. This pregnancy is ok so far just backache and looking after DS housework and keeping the house running and keeping up with a property I own and rent out at a loss so me and DP can be together. Maybe take up a hobby I have been making makeup and trying to get some information together to run my own buisness. Or maybe a short course to do from home to maybe help with your next career move? But lets face it most days you will not feel like all of those things. And you will have no time to your self once LO arrives so enjoy going for a coffee or out to meet friends or somewhere without thinking have I checked the nappy? Do I have milk? Do I have thier fav toy? Do I have my bag full of all the things I need before you go out of the front door!
I think the sudden adjustment can be very hard, but try to wind down into enjoying it. Daytime TV is dire, but the longer you are home the less dire it is - funny how that works
Shop for things you might like when the baby gets here (box sets, especially if you are going to BF), take up a new hobby (cross stitch, knitting - something easy to do while sitting), catch up with friends, batch cook & freeze, sort out the linen cupboard... I'm sure there are loads of things you can do :)
However, resting is the best thing you can do for you and baby, with a little light yoga thrown in!
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