I was a SAHM from when DS was around 18mo until earlier this year, so almost two and a half years in total. In that time we also had a DD.
When I started working again I was part time but over five days (Monday to Friday), leaving home around 12pm and getting home again between 6pm and 7pm. Then they changed the job and I was doing until 8pm in three of the five days.
I spoke to my manager and last month I started doing my hours over three full days instead so I still have every weekend off but now also have two weekdays off too.
On my days off I take DS to/from school myself and while he's there I take DD to playgroup and things. I'm looking forward to school holidays where I can spend more time with them both thanks to these two days off instead of working five days and missing them.
On the three days when I work DM has them, does the school run, goes to playgroup, and is basically great with them. They love her and love going to hers. I drop them at hers at 7am and DH has changed his hours slightly so he finishes at 4 o'clock every night and picks them up by 5pm and feeds them dinner. If they're sick or DM can't have them for any reason or other childcare issues he takes the day off. I get home by 6pm and we all play for a bit then bath, stories and bed for the kids.
For the last 2-3 weeks they've gotten increasingly clingy for me and increasingly upset about me going to work. DS has told me he hates me because I just go to work all the time and he wants me to pick him up from school every day. They both cry when it's time for me to leave. I was off today so dropped DS at school, he spent the entire walk there crying and clinging to my legs, begging me not to leave him. Yesterday DD (2yo) screamed and screamed for me after I left for work, to the point that my DM was on the verge of ringing me to come home as DD was so upset and nothing was calming her.
Could it be the change in hours has thrown their routine a little bit? I feel like shit going to work when they're so upset (and to complicate it more, I'm pregnant so often have a hormonal little weep at the bus stop as I head to work - good job I'm the only one there!) but I changed my hours so I'd have more time with them and the increased income since I went back had really made a difference, DHs salary covers bills and essentials, mine covers all the treats and makes life easier for us all.
Please hand me a grip and tell me it'll pass :(