Feeling guilty

[AlviesMam]

I go back to work four days a week (40hours) when my little girl is 6 months.

I got made redundant due to covid while on maternity and got paid in one lump sum.

I felt pressured to find a job before my money ran out in July and a job has came up in my field and is a good opportunity, start date is May when my baby will turn 6 month.

Any Mams out there that can make me feel better about my position if I hadn't been made redundant I would have taken the year off

I know family time and quality time with my baby is important and something I can never get back but the bills need paying and I had no job to go back to.

I could cry thinking about it

TIA x

As a parent you feel guilty no matter what you do. Your baby won’t be at the stage of separation anxiety when she starts nursery so she will settle in more quickly and research should girls whose Mum’s work are high achievers than those who don’t.

Hi I went back at 4 months and it was hard but my MIL said she'd look after my dd after 6 weeks she told me she could no longer do this so very quickly had to find a childminder which I found so distressing as I'd never of gone back to work so early if she'd of been going to a childminder BUT best decision we going to her as although it's hard she loves it and I can see the difference in her socially .. my dd shares and lives to care for others which she'd never of had that interaction if she'd been with me as I never did groups etc.. it did take a few months to feel 99% ok never going to be 100% there's always a bit of mum guilt .. but she's happy and I'm happy because of that .. not sure this helps but good luck with your new job

It's so hard going back after mat leave, especially as yours has been cut short. You are doing what is best for you and your baby, the bills needs paying and you're providing for her, don't feel bad about that. She'll settle in to nursery just fine and it'll make your time together much more special

Thank you all. I just needed to hear other Mams that have gone back early and to know that I'm not being a bad mam
She's doing nursery a day and a half a week then the rest grandparents, but she will have three days with me
She's done some trials at nursery already she settled well, I think it's just the panic of missing and 'firsts' and panicking that she will forget me!!

They know who mum is and when they see you when you pick them up and they smile and give you a big hug it feels great.. you are being a great mum by making the right decision for your family. You will get loads of firsts they tend to save them for mum and dad there will always be a bit of guilt but honestly my daughter loves being at the childminders and playing with the other kids .

Thank you xxx