Returning to work after maternity

[Yaya88]

I’m due to go back to work in July. I am a singe mum and my baby will be almost 9 months old when I go back to work. I feel guilty about going back to work full time (4 days per week) which is financially better for us rather than going back part time (3 days per week) and having an extra day with him through the week. He stays at his dads every other weekend so the weekends he is at his dads I will only see him evenings and then 1 day through the week.

I would love to spend as much time with him as I can once I go back to work but financially I need to go back full time.

Just wanting people’s advice on what they did about returning to work after maternity.

Thank you in advance!

Going back to work is tough especially when he's little and spending time with his dad. It'll get easier as he gets older and bedtime stretches to 7pm (and later).
I felt guilty going back to work (I initially did 4 long days and now do full time over 5 days) however it's important that you're financially solvent and also it's good to show the kids that you have to work to buy things. In time once I was settled in routine it was actually a welcome break going somewhere I could have a hot cuppa without worrying about it scalding the kids or it going cold while I chased around after them!

I think that everyone takes the financial dilemma differently.
I'm a lone parent and opted to not return until lo started school. There were times this was really challenging, but I wouldn't have had it any other way as for me 8 could manage financially not returning but we were obviously far worse off. The time that we had however for me was worth all the money in the world.

When lo started school I went to work, working school hours and part time. This has had a financial hit, but means that I am always there when needed/wanted in school assemblies, activity days etc.

Only you will know whether working 4 longer days is best for you and your baby or whether actually that would be ideal financially but not ideal emotionally, especially when you're going a run of 6 days before you get a day with your own child. Taking into account that Monday to Friday morning and evenings will be manic and very little quality time, plus you will probably feel very stretched and possibly as though you're not excelling in any area. So will need to ease up on the inevitable guilt but also possibly try to remain open minded and if it's not working to change it, even if only short term that you work less.

Good luck.