To not miss my baby?

[fieldofdaisies]

I feel awful even writing that question... my baby is 7 months old and I've just started back at work. Of course I've had the inevitable comments - "oh you must be really missing her" I feel like there is an expected response to that question and I find myself making out that I'm missing her more than I actually am. Am I a horrible mother for secretly enjoying my 'me-time' at work or should I feel guilty that I'm not pining after my little one all day?

I felt like a freak for wanting to be at home, so... Nobody wins this game.

I went back to work after 6 months with my first and 5 months with my second. I am busy at work and don't have time to miss them.

What bothers me are the people who act like I'm a martyr: "I don't know how you can do it", "You must be so strong" etc. I do it to pay the bills but I also enjoy my job. DH is a SAHD and we got a lot longer with two of us at home than we would if I'd been the SAHP!

Fathers returning to work get a bit of acknowledgement about sleepless nights but not seen to be doing something "brave".