To lie when asked was it hard coming back to work after maternity leave.

[Charleybear]

So I just returned last week, and every single person has asked me was it terrible coming back and did I hate leaving the DC. So I do the customary 'it's awful, I really didn't want to come back', but really it wasn't. In fact I was looking forward to it, I needed 'me' back again and I enjoy it now I'm back.

Would I sound a totally awful mum for telling the truth?

Nope I know a friend of mine felt completely the same, she was looking forward to it too and she's felt loads better as herself since she did

There are 6 women in my office. 5 of us have children. 4 of us have admitted we couldn't wait to get back, the 5th is the most senior.

Tbh, it pissed me off that the men kept asking these inane questions about the baby!

couldn't wait to get back to work to save my sanity.
DCs were far happier in good nursery than stuck at home with miserable and resentful mother.
doesn't seem to have done them any damage....

I do the opposite, have hated going back (2nd time, different job) and lie to colleagues by saying I'm glad to be back etc. if told truth this wouldn't look good career-wise.

Not in my book you wouldn't. I felt exactly the same. Did not feel guilty about DS either as he goes to the best nursery ever with the best staff.

I was bit fed up at home and am more fed up at work

I also feel so much more productive at home now I'm back to work. I value my time more because there is less of it With all that time off I din't have any urgency to get things done, so it never did.

Dozer - I'm exactly the same. Was getting a little bored at home all the time but am even more bored at work. Might have to have another baby . . . ! :)

I loved going back to work! But I think it was easier for me than most people as I was able to go back pt and initially ds stayed with DH on those days so I didn't have the "double whammy" of leaving my PFB and having to deal with putting him in childcare at the same time.

I got a few raised eyebrows when I told people how much I was enjoying being back, but screw them!

Nope I just say, I miss my DC's but I love my job (tis true - started my keeping in touch days this week and loved it!) Although hated every second of it with DS1

I'm back in 6 weeks and I can't wait I work long shifts though, so although I'm full time I only do 3 days. As DS was prem I've got loads of hols I didn't manage to use though, so doing 1 day for 2 weeks then 2 days for 4 weeks, to ease me in gently!

Nah - proper grown up time! We did shocking things like go to the pub on a Friday lunchtime. It was most excellent. My dd is 8 next month, top of the class and lovely. She doesn't seem to have suffered for it.

My standard reply was "yeah, it's hell being at work and being able to drink a whole cup of tea without it going cold, or eat my lunch and read a magazine without interruption".

YABU to have lied. Some of your colleagues may agree with you, and be happy to not have to pretend that the only "correct" way to be a mother is to want to be with your child 24/7. By lying you are perpetuating the myth.

why not tell the truth? that way you can bond with people on your wavelength... and be honest at the same time???

I couldn't wait to get back to work, and like you everyone was asking if I found it hard. I just said that I love my DD to pieces and miss her but that I like being there as it's nice to be concentrating on something not baby orientated.
I hardly had any adult company during my m/l so find it so nice to have adult chit chat as well.

I love being back, don't tell people though. Work for myself and was back to my full 3.5 days a week by 4 months... Yes I'm a bad mummy. I just value the time with my children so much more. Don't think I'd feel the same full time though.

Loved going back to work both times. Was part-time though so good work/life balance and not much guilt as I think I may have felt if full time. SAHM is not for everybody, I admire women who do and who enjoy it and manage to keep calm and patient!