DD (2) has been going to nursery since she was 11months old. She’s learned a lot there and has a lot of fun but returning to work after mat leave was one of the most challenging years of my life. Constant illness for all of us, hours of my little girl screaming before/ after nursery from overtiredness or the latest bug/ cold she’d caught. Going to work on a few hours sleep.
Then DH gets furloughed and she didn’t go to nursery for 4 months. She’s been so happy, like a different child and the runny nose stopped. She was rarely overtired and had far less tantrums. We went for lots of walks and spent time together. It’s been so lovely to watch her little personality develop.
She’s been back about 5 weeks now and has been off several days already with a bug and now a cold. I’ve worked all day and have had to listen to her scream all evening. It just feels heartbreaking and like I’m basically subjecting her to constant illness. She does 3 full days and gets overstimulated easily and I’m worried it’s just too much. We had a very difficult time when she was a baby and I feel like I’m not enjoying my quality time with her anymore, and I feel guilty.
She generally loves nursery and is excited to go, but then she keeps having meltdowns at home again and it’s gone back to how it was before lockdown (which we thought was normal at the time!).
I just feel like the past few months have completely changed my thinking, that I’m just not sure it’s all been worth it. Anyone else with young children feel the same?