Can’t wait to go back to work

[Greygoose21]

Hey all,

Does it sound bad that I’m literally counting down my days before I return to work from maternity! I just can’t wait for a break. My daughter has just turned 9 months and I just feel like every month it gets harder and harder. I seriously need some separation and didn’t ever think I’d be happy/ excited to go back to a job that I hate!
Me along with two other women at work who are also on maternity we’re having a discussion about baby’s first day at nursery. I felt like it was all kind of ‘ohh I don’t want to leave them’ ‘ im dreading it’ !
I’m like mate nursery opens 7:30 I’ll be outside waiting at 7:00!!!
I’m hoping once I’ve gone back (part time, 3 days) I get the separation I need and can appreciate and enjoy her more without feeling like it’s soo full on.
Please tell me I’m not the only one?
Definitely a love, hate, love,love, love, HATE relationship 😂

Thanks x

Due back soon and feeling the same way as you! Started settling in sessions building up to doing full days, and have been relieved to have the break. I miss her but I feel more refreshed and enjoy being with her more after having time away. I have an older child too so the last few months have been particularly intense, I am also very relieved that school has started!

I think the hardest thing is the loneliness - no baby classes around, other mums not wanting to meet indoors - combined with the need for constant attention to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself. She only sleeps about 20 mins a day now (8 months old).

Haha, I'm going back next week (baby is ten months) and I'm dreading it!!

I honestly think it must depend on the baby, this is my third and she is just the easiest and happiest baby ever, I could hang out with her all the time, she's not bother at all. With my second however I was practically skipping back to work, he was a much tougher baby and it was really really hard work (he still is to be honest, and he's three now...).

Don't feel guilty about how you feel, that's my main advice. It's ok to want some mental and physical space and it's ok to want to be just 'you' and not 'mum' for a bit. It doesn't make you a bad parent.

I work three days a week and it's the perfect balance I think, you'll love it.

I literally lose money going back to work, but needed to for my sanity. I tell myself retraining and getting a new job is the best decision long term. But really I just desperately needed adult interaction outside of my bubble. No judgement. Theres a global pandemic so you cant take them to baby groups. Its very isolating having a tiny baby at the moment.

I’m dreading going back to work - wish I could be a SAHM but we can’t afford it

DD at uni now but I felt the same as you op, couldn't wait to get back and we only got 18 weeks maternity leave back then! My head of dept at the time was great and said it was quality not quantity when spending time with your baby which made me feel less guilty. Hopefully returning part time will work for you as it did for me.

I couldn’t wait to get back to work . Don’t feel guilty. I honestly think I was a better mother for being at work, being stimulated and using my brain. I thought I would love being home but I was bored. We were able to have a better standard of living and I was a role model for my children. I made sure that they knew they were the most important people in my life and , when necessary, everything stopped for them.

DS is 8 now and I still feel like I'm a better parent when I work! After maternity leave I went back 3 days a week and found the balance perfect. Still had more time with family than at work, but enough focus away from the home to make me feel more than just 'mum'. Nothing wrong in that at all OP, different people thrive in different environments.