Does going back to work get easier? Struggling

[Teaaaa]

I’m two months back into work after a year off with my DD. I used annual leave to go part time the first month so I’m back to full hours for the last month.

I hate it. I still feel sad leaving my DD because I want to be with her, she’s thriving at nursery but I feel sad when I take her there as well.

I don’t enjoy my job, my enthusiasm is gone and I don’t enjoy the stress of it anymore. And I don’t feel good at it anymore. I’m finding it hard to get back to how I was before maternity.

I’m in a mentally demanding role so I just find it stressful on top of juggling being a mum and sleep. I want to look for another job but devil the better you know, scared to do it. I’m currently doing 4 days compressed, I can’t reduce hours as we need the money.

does it get better? Will work become easier? hoping for a week where I don’t cry.

Anyone?

It depends. Personally I found going back after one baby really hard for months on end. Others were fine! For me the biggest things was that my mental state was barely together even before I went back. I found being productive makes the biggest difference to feeling like it's worth it but there's only so much that helps if your mental state is in the toilet anyway so you might need professional help if that's the case.

It's really difficult if you don't enjoy the job. I think in your shoes I would start to look for a less stressful role and also have a long thing if you really need the amount of money you are making, or could cope with a bit less for a year or two whilst your child is young. You never get those years back, after all, and a job is just a job.

As above, I’d agree, assess if there is anyway you could manage being at home with dc for a few years. Even reducing your hours can make such a difference and might not cost as much as you think once deductions, childcare and commuting taken into account. We did it and yes £10 baby classes and any non fb new purchase was out of the question, managed to get a bit of adhoc evening and weekend work to help tide us over, was great few years and don’t regret it one bit. As others have said, is such a precious time and sad you’re losing it just being stressed and tired.
Now work part time in job love and feels best of both worlds