Does work give you a break from your baby/toddler or does it make things harder?

[lookingforanswrra]

Just that really. I have little to no help from DC’s dad apart from financial. I am finding everyday very hard, it’s CONSTANT planning to do things and going out. She’s now 8 months and i have considered going back to work sooner but then people at my baby group say l will just make my life even harder…. I don’t know what to do. I work in accountancy and in an office/from home, not sure if that’s relevant really. Can’t afford childcare without going back to work so bit stuck otherwise. Will I be making things harder?

Any job is easier than multiple small people. And adult company is invaluable.

What if the job is multiple small people 😄

I agree… and barely any adult company all day 😆

I think it's an example of that "a change is as good as a rest" saying. I loved going back to work - feeling like me again, adult conversation, using my brain. There were some days, though, when it seemed impossible!

Fair play to you, I couldn't teach. My friend works 50-55 hours a week teaching primary. I like going to work for the peace and quiet that I don't get at home with my mad two.

Bit of both. It's a nice break to be around adults and do what I enjoy and am good at, and to have intellectual stimulation. I totally know what I'm doing, no surprises, peaceful lunch, hot cup of coffee, walk at lunchtime - what's not to like! Definitely a break!

However, it's a never-ending juggling act. You get very little time to yourself (if any? Itsa squeeze) and little time to deal with mental load of parenting. There's so much organising, planning, logistics ALL the bloody time! It's endless 🤣 and exhausting. It's a full time job in itself. And you need to do it on top of your actual job. Plus the chores. Endless washing!!!

It gets hard when they're ill and even worse when you get ill too! Then you take five times longer to recover than they do.

It's hard, for sure. But I personally prefer the juggling act of working and being a mum as opposed to SAHM so I get where you're coming from OP, 100%.

I agree with pp that it depends on the job, it’s all very well to peddle out the whole ‘it’s so great to go to work and drink hot coffee and get peace to eat lunch’ lines when you have the kind of job that allows that and the type of job that you can just finish at 5pm sharp and forget about but lots of jobs bring their own stress with them so it really depends OP on what kind of job you are talking about as to whether it will make things easier or harder for you.

You're speaking for yourself and so does everyone on here.

I'm in a senior role, highly stressful job, but I make sure to have hot coffee in the morning AND a lunch break because it's good and necessary work hygiene.

I often work after my son is in bed because that's part and parcel of my profession.

How about you stop your assumptions and accept people's views are subjective.

I’m not speaking for myself at all, exactly where do I say that I don’t take lunch or have coffee breaks etc? I wfh and have lots of breaks BUT I know plenty of people who work long shifts totally flat out and grab food on the go (my DD’s friends Mum is an A&E nurse and this is her experience at work).

How about you learn to read and get your head out of your arse about how some jobs actually function?