To go back to work after DD starts nursery?

[Lilyyy]

DD is starting at nursery at 10 months, going two days a week. DH and I have compressed hours full time so we both get to look after her the other three days.

I was thinking of going back to work 3 weeks after she starts so I’m around for any potential issues the first few weeks while she settles in, plus selfishly I thought it would be nice to have some me time before I go back to work.

A friend of mine doesn’t understand why i would do that and now I’m second guessing myself. Is that unusual?

If you can afford it then great idea! Bit of time to yourself and a buffer for settling in/perhaps the first round of nursery illnesses…

I'm going to be doing the exact same when my daughter is 10 months too except I won't be going back to work for 8 weeks. It'll be during winter so I am expecting her to be off with bugs and I want a little bit of me time after a hard maternity leave!

fabulous idea- you havent got to account for every minute of your life just because you became a mother. Enjoy!

Go for it. I'm taking a month off between jobs because I need the fucking break and I certainly won't be cancelling the childcare. Some women have a weird guilt fuelled compulsion to prove that the only reason they would leave their little darlings for even a second is Work. That is their problem and you don't have to buy into that misogynistic crap.

If you can afford it, it’s a great idea. Absolutely do it.

Well said!

Definitely! I took a week, wish I’d taken longer.

Thats exactly what I did - DD gets settled (and I could pick her up earlier) and I got the days to get myself and the house up straight, go swimming, shopping without a pram.....if you can then def do it!

I did the same, and everything was fine. The only time I did need off was a few months in and they started to get sick from nursery. Plus it will give you that much needed time to yourself before going back to work. You are doing the right thing.

I've done it. 4 weeks. It was officially "annual leave" so was getting paid for it like normal wage. I'm glad I've done it as my baby has been really unsettled and poorly with all sorts of horrible bugs. Dreading returning to work next week

Absolutely yes, if you can afford to, why not? Honestly, the entitlement of some people, be they friends or family, to “not understand” what you’re doing with your own kids & your own cash is beyond me sometimes.

Very sensible if you can afford it plus means you can get all your systems set up.

Won't necessarily save you from all the plagues though...

Go for it. I had two weeks after DD2 started and it was great. You can get loads done without a 1yo getting into mischief!

Yes definitely, I wish I'd done this. I only allowed myself a couple of settling in sessions 'off' before starting work, and I really needed a bit of time to myself to be me again, have some space and get the house a bit sorted. If you can afford it, go for it.

I did this but for slightly longer. It meant by the time I went back to work DD was really settled at nursery and it was a lot less stressful for me!

Absolutely go for it. Once you start work, it'll be a lot more difficult to get that time to yourself.

Ah glad to hear others are doing the same!
i found out from HR at work that my accrued annual leave stretches further than I thought especially with the bank holidays so I can stay off a tad longer without it affecting us hard financially!

Great idea.

Be prepared for the first 6 months to be constant calls due to illness as they get use or nursery germs.

Giving yourself a few weeks to adjust and be ready for that seems entirely sensible if you can afford it.

Enjoy your you time. Not jealous at all

I wouldn't do it. She'll have settling in sessions before she starts.
Sod's Law is What will happen is you'll start work and the next day you'll dc will get sent home with a temperature. I'd rather keep the annual leave/ unpaid leave (whatever you're using) for sick days.

Sounds like a great idea if you can make it work!

Another option if your work is open to it, is to go back earlier but take a days holiday every week (and still use the childcare that day) so that you get some transition time and also you have some flexibility for the settling and the inevitable illness

Great idea if you can do it. Honestly wish I'd considered these things first time round.

I return to work shortly after baby 2. DS is having his settling sessions then starting the week before I go back. Then I am doing as @Caterina99 suggested and taking a day a week to use my remaining leave before the end of the year. DH is taking a few days as well so we both can have a little downtime hopefully and it will make the transition easier for me. Someone will also be around for the first few weeks if there are any issues or more likely for all the bugs he will almost definitely pick up. DS is also attending 2 days.

I would also have as @Cornelious2011 mentioned and keep a bit of annual leave spare depending on how your leave year runs as the amount of illness for the first few months is relentless!!

That's a great idea as well.