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Returning to work - is there anyway of making it easier ?

15 replies

LOZZYLOOLOO · 05/10/2004 17:35

I am returning to work tomorrow after having only 4 months off on maternity leave. I must need my head tested for saying I would go back early. It isn't as though I even like the job I am doing but because of our financial situation and wanting my dh to spend some quality time with our ds I decided I may as well go back early.

I am now wishing I hadn't even suggested the idea to my dh as he doesn't seem to appreciate how difficult it was for me leaving our ds. I haven't spent a day without him and the thought of leaving him for 10 hours is breaking my heart.

I dread to think what I am going to be like tomorrow when it comes to leaving him and how I am going to cope with the long day ahead.

As you may gather I am feeling pretty depressed at the moment and sit hear writing this to you though bleary eyes which are full of tears. Soppy I know.

I have tried to explain this to my dh but like most men he doesn't seem to understand and is more concerned about himself than how I feel. I also feel that as soon as I go out the door the MIL will be round taking over and interferring with our lives.

Oh I best go as my dh is comeing

OP posts:
Oooggs · 05/10/2004 17:56

I hope all goes well tomorrow. Will be thinking of you

libb · 05/10/2004 18:02

LLL, I have had DS with the childminder for the last two days for a trial run and it is official - I am very good at ignoring housework and wandering round the house waiting for my soul to return. I return to work full time next week

I make horrible company at the moment and I shrieked at DP the other night like the original wailing banshee because he hasn't a clue how it feels . . . would you like to be depressed with me? we can take care of each other.

My friend wants to meet for lunch tomorrow - she is in for a right treat . . .

Yorkiegirl · 05/10/2004 18:03

Message withdrawn

LOZZYLOOLOO · 05/10/2004 20:49

Cheers for all you messages, it is good to know that there are people out there I can talk to, even if it is on the sly whilst my dh is looking after our ds !!

Oooog - thanks for your thoughts - I am sure it will go Ok tomorrow and I am getting stressed over nothing but I really can't help myself.

Libb - Maybe we should become moaning partners and support each other - going back to work is a daunting thing, however, I am only going back part time and not full time like yourself.

SQT - (Stupid Question Time) Do you want to go back full time ??

I will let you know how my first day back at work goes so please keep intouch.

Yorkie Girl - Cheers for your message - When do you actually go back to work - is if parttime or full time ?

Anyway, I am being called by my dh so I best go. I will get intouch tomorrow to let you all know how my first day has gone. Hopefully I won't do anything stupid like tell my boss to P* Off.

Night Night Girlies

OP posts:
californiagirl · 06/10/2004 01:45

DD is 7 months and just started going to nursery 2 days a week last week. She loves it. They call her "sunshine" and talk about how she never cries. I, on the other hand, wept on and off all day her first day and again today (because I got a perfectly good job offer!) DH is supportive if mystified. He keeps saying "But it was your idea!"

bonym · 06/10/2004 12:22

Lozzy - hope your first day is going ok - I remember how hard it was when I first went back after dd1. It does get easier, believe me and at 6 years old she is so bright, clever, well-adjusted and happy that I know that being at nursery didn't do her any harm - probably the reverse in fact. So try not to feel guilty (although we all do) Console yourself that it is only part-time -I personally found that this was (eventually) the best of both worlds - I had 4 days to be a mum and 3 with adult company and some brain stimulation!

Pidge · 06/10/2004 12:30

LL - just wanted to wish you lots of luck. I found it really hard, but at the same time enjoyed having time for me. And part-time worked out really well. I have two recommendations - plan some special things to do on your days off, that definitely don't involve any domestic chores. And also (if you possibly can) book a holiday after 6-7 weeks back. Dp, dd and I had a week in Portugal at that stage and it was heaven to get a break from the new hectic work routine, plus dd settled much better at nursery after the break, and it was something for me to look forward to during the early weeks.

Oooggs · 06/10/2004 19:00

Hope today went well. Let us all know.

Yorkiegirl · 06/10/2004 19:03

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libb · 06/10/2004 19:13

How was your day? I have had DS at the childminder's house for the last three days and now he seems to be cross about being back at home.

Hugs to you and hope it wasn't as bad as it can feel - if you see what I mean . . . . I felt wretched but DS is currently laughing at daddy, I wonder where he gets that from?

LOZZYLOOLOO · 06/10/2004 22:02

Hi there,

Well, after having a sleepless night and getting up at 0500 hrs to get ready for work (I had to express) my day started at 0700 hrs a long slog of 10 hours ahead.

I was hoping my dh would get up and wave me off to work but instead the lazy B stayed in bed snoring barely realising I have left.

My morning didn't start off too badly, one of my bosses came to welcome me back and made me a cuppa, then my other boss came in and told me I had loads of jobs on my workload and he was about to allocate me more (bloody great). I hadn't even had time to settle back in.

Oh also my desk and terminal have been given to someone else so I am hot desking with some other parttimer.

In the end I had a phone call from dh, I thought "ah he can't cope and needs me to come home". Instead it was to say he was fine and they were popping in to see me which was lovely.

Both my dh and ds arrived and I had a cuddle before they left 30 minutes later. Then it was back to the grind.

I'm waffling - all in all my day was ok, it probably did me good to get out and have some adult conversation instead of cooing at my ds all day.

When I arrived home I was surprised that my dh has made the dinner, bathed our ds and done a wash. What is going on - this wasn't suppose to happen !!! he was not suppose to cope

I have then fed our ds, he was very good and ate all of his baby rice for me.

However, just before I was due to turn in (as I'm in at 0600hrs tomorrow)I have said to my dh that I was going to change our ds as he had done a poopoo, but no sooner had I suggested it he was in the bedroom undressing our him - DO YOU THINK I AM NOW INCAPABLE OF DOING IT MYSELF ??

Well, I am sorry my reply was late but my dh has been playing games for the best part of the evening. So I will sign off now and hope to speak to you all tomorrow.

My last day at work before having 10 days off

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 06/10/2004 22:09

Message withdrawn

jamiesam · 06/10/2004 22:15

Lovely thread. So pleased with your day - babies are little tinkers for thriving in spite of our absence aren't they. I went back to work part time when my ds1 was 4 months and I was more worried about how he would cope than how I would miss him (bad mother?). However, he barely batted an eyelid and now at 3 yrs still loves nursery.
Your dh does sound surprisingly capable - does he do ironing, if so I have a wardrobe full of clothes that shouldn't have been put away unironed....
Anyway, given that you're on holiday again, have a lovely day tomorrow...

LOZZYLOOLOO · 07/10/2004 07:29

I am actually at work at the moment and thought I would take a sneaky look at the website, before things get really busy.

It was great to hear from you guys

My dh is getting worried as I am spending so much time on the internet these days, but I do look forward to logging on and knowing that I am normal to feel the way I do. I thought I was the only one who felt jealous that my dh could cope on his own etc.

I have highly recommended this website to other new mums, so I can expect some unhappy husbands if they enjoy it as much as I do

JS - My dh is very good and does the ironing when there are 16 work shirts in the ironing basket to do ! Have I got a man who is intouch with his feminine side and does pull his weight at home instead of sitting on his backside waiting for someone else to do it for him ??
Maybe I should stop hitting him with the frying pan ?? Only joking.

Best go.

9 hours to go - Hoooooooooorray !!

OP posts:
Oooggs · 07/10/2004 21:40

Glad things have worked out. Enjoys your 10 days off.

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