Nursery full time - someone help me feel less guilt/sadness!

[islingtongirl]

DD has just turned 10 months. I'm due back at work in a few weeks and she is starting nursery next week (settling in) and will then be full time, 5 days a week (8-6). I have to go back to work for financial reasons, at least for the moment. I have even lucky to spend the best part of a year with her, I know, but every time I think about it I get really upset, then my OH does too and feels bad he can't provide enough so I don't have to work, which I don't want him to feel at all! He works very hard to provide for us. Don't get me wrong, I want to work, but now it has come to the time for me to go back I can't bear the thought of DD in.nursery for so long and worried she will forget me/they will know her better and I am just playing catch up so please, any positive full time nursery stories are welcome!! And sorry if this is rather self indulgent, just having a day about it...

Yeah our nursery is definitely a bit chaotic, particularly at drop off and pick up time!
You won't be forgotten, I promise! My son's little face just lights up when I pick him up, such a big smile for me!
But he also gives big smiles to the nursery workers when he arrives so all good :)
Be prepared for the illness by the way. Make sure you and OH have a contingency plan for when they send her home with a temperature etc and you can't go to work.....

Is there any flexibility in your job? Could you perhaps even drop one day a week and have one full day at home with dd?

I remember the first day I went back to work, leaving my son with a childminder, I felt awful, crying and feeling like a crap mum. But the next day was fine and as soon as I got to work I had no time to think about him really.

The reality is most people have to work. Most families I know rely on two salaries to pay the bills, so you mustn't feel guilty.

I wouldn't actually like being at home full time with my child. What an admission! I love him to bits, but he can be tough going! Working allows me to be 'me'.