To think going back to work is the break I need.

[uglybugball08]

I’m currently on maternity leave and finding things hard.

My son is 12 months old. Ive never had any time away from him.
No support from family.

My husband had a promotion at work 3 months ago and since then he’s out of the house from 7am - 6pm.

By the time he’s home. He will eat his tea and have 20/30 minutes with our soon before it’s time for bath and bed.

He will help with the bath but my son feeds to sleep (breastfed) so my husband can’t help with that so that’s his que to leave and go down

I just feel like I never stop. From waking up I’m constantly on the go.

I’m cleaning the kitchen and dining room 3 times a day (after breakfast lunch and dinner)
I’ve got all laundry to do, the cleaning to do.

Chasing after my son, playing, going for walks.

I’ve tried doing my cleaning / laundry on a weekend but it just seems to eat into the day and I don’t want to be in the habit of using weekends to clean (especially when things are a bit more “normal” and we can go places)

My son is a real Velcro baby and takes both of his day naps on me (believe me, I have tried otherwise) so I can’t do much when he’s napping.

I just feel physically and mentally exhausted and there’s days where I feel really snappy and resentful toward my husband.

I’m due back to work in 8 weeks and I just keep thinking maybe this is the break I need.
Maybe this is my time to myself.

I’m only going back 3 days a week and I feel so
guilty for feeling this way.

I feel you completely!! Due to go back in 5 weeks my little one is almost 1 and I have. 3 year old.

Feel like I'm really struggling at the moment losing all interest in doing anything it's the same shit everyday! Don't get me wrong I love my children dearly but it's very monotonous with covid it's not been the same maternity leave I experienced first time round but I've tried to make the most of it. When your back at work the weeks will fly by. I think covid has just changed things and for us mums at home it can be very lonely! Xx

Yes there’s more to ‘juggle’ as you won’t have the same level of flexibility with housework that you do when you’re not contracted to being at work on set days, but for me the mental challenges of work, conversations with other grownups and feeling like something I’ve spent my time on is valued is so important to my mental health.
Also, nursery taught my eldest to self settle for naps, and my youngest started sleeping better after he started nursery too.