If you've returned to work

[Sonicknuckles]

Have you returned to work after years as a SAHM?
What has your experience been? Has it been positive or do you regret it?

[Sonicknuckles]

Bumping

[WeeLors]

I returned to work when my youngest ds started school, after about 8yrs as a SAHM. I worked part time at first for about a year and then about 4mths ago started a new job full time. It's honestly been fine, I really enjoy my job and my kids have been great with it. I'm very lucky though in that both mine and dp's dms are retired and happy to share after school care of my kids for a couple of hours each day.
The main thing I've struggled with is meal planning for definite. I say I'm going to plan and prep each Sunday for the week but rarely actually get round to it so there's a lot of very quick dinners going on through the week. Other than that, it makes me a bit sad that I don't get to pick them up from school anymore (I miss the wee afternoons chats I used to get on the way home from school) and that I can't make the things that might go on at school during the day (open days, assemblies, helping out in class etc) but it's not the end of the world, I really enjoy being back at work.

[justasyouare]

I had about ten years at home, which was much longer than anticipated at the beginning but was due to circumstances. When I started looking for jobs I soon realised that it was going to be an uphill struggle, so I went to college to improve my chances.
I found a job after a few months and then continued my qualification for 3 years. A couple of jobs later I am now full time and love working again!
My kids are teenagers now so we don’t need childcare etc.

[daisyboocantoo]

I am returning to work next month after 6 years as a SAHM.

Am excited!

[Veryveryouting]

I returned recently after nearly 5 years.

I work part time but even that was a shock to the system. Once the "yay I'm working again" buzz wore off I started to feel quite tired!

I still miss my lazy mornings. Even with my eldest I could drop her off at preschool and then head home with my youngest. So the initial rush wasn't so bad because I would have been back home in no time anyway.

But that is all I miss really.

Overall, it's taking some getting used to but I don't regret it at all. I appreciate the time with DC more and it's good to be in a better financial and more independent position.

[Sonicknuckles]

I'm very lucky though in that both mine and dp's dms are retired and happy to share after school care of my kids for a couple of hours each day

You see unfortunately this is something I don't have and I don't want to have to put them in after school club all the time.