I have 2 DS’s, one is 4 and the other is 6 months. After DS1 was born I went back to work 28 hours a week over 4 days. I had the full year of mat leave off and felt ready to go back to work after the year was up. Since DS2 arrived I’ve had an overwhelming feeling that I don’t want to go back to work. My job is stressful, busy, with a lot of take home (both mental and physical workload). It’s simply not what I want for myself any more. The thought of doing my job plus having two young kids makes me feel overwhelmed with panic. DS2 is a happy little thing but had some health issues in the months following his birth which led to a couple of hospital admissions, once spending a week on life support. I’m sure these experiences are compounding my feelings about returning to work. My urge to keep him close and out of a childcare environment as long as possible is very strong.
I’ve done the sums and we could afford for me to stay at home by the skin of our teeth. We’d literally be surviving with no money for “fun” or a rainy day. Has anyone done this? Was it worth it? I don’t want my heart to overrule my head and I end up making the wrong decision for myself and my family.