Back to work in 3 weeks :(

[CerseiLannistersEyebrow]

My DS is six months old and I'm back to work in 3 weeks. It feels far too soon, so much is going on with him right now and I feel like I'm abandoning him.

My DH will be a SAHD and is very apprehensive.

I love my job but have a 3 hour commute. If I'm lucky I'll get home for his bedtime. I'll be WFH one day a week.

I feel distraught and not ready :( How do you manage the transition?

Also the baby is waking up x6 a night so that's good!

((hugs)) Cerse. It's 16 years ago now but I remember it well. I left DS1 with my Mum.

By the time the day arrived I had got myself into such a tizz.

But the thought of it was so much worse than actually doing it IYWIM. Your DH will have things under control I'm sure, it sounds like you are both a little nervous and that's understandable.

Try not to let this spoil your last few weeks of mat leave.

Yes, the thought is often much worse than the reality.

Give it time to settle in. It can feel very rough the first few months while everyone settles into the new routines. It's a huge transition from being at home all the time.

Getting organised helps so much. Make sure you have outfits that all go together, so you can change quickly in the morning if the baby throws banana or toothpaste over you! Get everything ready the night before, when the baby is in bed, so that your morning's are less rushed and you get to spend a bit of time together.

One thing that helped me a lot was just acknowledging the fact that while I loved my DD and hated the thought of not being at home with her, realistically I'm not cut out to the a SAHP and I was a happier, better person for going back to work. Which means that on the days when I am with DD, I'm much more willing to throw myself into the mum thing, if that makes any sense?

You're not abandoning him. His other parent is with him. It's just a big adjusted. Good luck.

I'm back next Monday after maternity leave with DS2 and also dreading it. He's a couple of months older and childcare is all sorted but this time it just feels so much harder.

When I returned after DS1 I was a little apprehensive as I had convinced myself that I was going to miss all his "firsts" but the reality was much better. It was lovely going back and speaking to adults about something other than babies and going for lunch without having it snatched from my hands!

This time DS1 is almost 5 and great fun to be around, I'm changing teams when I return so I don't really know what I'm returning to and we aren't having anymore DC so I know this is my last maternity leave. I'm hoping it turn out like last time and a few days in I'm wondering what I was ever nervous about but as things stand I just want to keep hanging out at home with my babies!

In a similar boat so here for support if you want it.

thurlow I used to get dressed and then put my dressing gown back on so I didn't have the the shoulder of dribble on my nice black tops.

Wise words Thurlow. On the first day back I was so busy i forgot all about DS and felt terribly guilty. But in time it was good, I also enjoyed popping to the shops at lunchtime and chatting to colleagues again, some of which felt a bit guilty like I did.

We had a routine though where I would ring as I left work. Mum would sit him on the front room windowledge about an hour later and they would both wave to me as I drove up the road. Much excitement. It became the routine, and we both loved it. In the winter I had to flash my lights.

I now only get half dressed, and throw my skirt and jumper on before I leave. Though the other day I did forget and opened the front door to get the milk in while wearing tights and a bra

I had forgotten all about the half dressed thing. I wore business skirt and a nightie til the v last minute.

Blouse was always hanging hanging by the front door.