Going back to work tomorrow after maternity leave

[morebubbless]

Been off a year with little one, I go back to work tomorrow and I just feel so emotional about it. I’m going back full time (needs must) and I’m dreading leaving my DC everyday. It’s going to be horrible not being with him everyday.

I’m feeling a bit down as well because it’s my first child, and looking back I think I was in shock the first few months with navigating parenthood. DC had colic, reflux and was a very fussy baby, didn’t sleep well, and at times I found it very hard and found myself wishing the time away.

Now that he’s grown out of it he’s for the most part a very happy and content baby and I’ve really settled into it and enjoying parenthood. I’ve also made some nice mum friends.

And now maternity leave is over :(

anyone else feel like this?

Yes lovely and I’ve heard my friends say it too.

i hated returning this last time, but once I got back into the swing of things I quite like it again.

i think it’s an emotional time all amplified by lack of sleep and hormones and it fuses you into a ‘little unit’. So it’s you and your ‘team’ against the world in a little bubble. And I think returning to work means you have to leave that bubble, and it’s a transition. And as with all transitions it is a process, can’t be and shouldn’t be rushed and not evaluated for a while.

so keep it simple for the next couple of weeks. Make sure you look after you: eat well and sleep well. And just go through the motions for a bit. See how it feels in a couple of weeks.

good luck tomorrow. You’ll smash it.
you’ve got this x

It's really tough, are you easing yourself in or going straight to full time? I used a days annual leave for a few months for this reason. But you will be able to go to the toilet in peace and have hot cups of tea and coffee!

I’m sure most people do feel like this, but myself I was ok going back to work as I was just working out my 8 week notice after being made redundant and knew my son was being cared for by my MIL and DH.

Completely understandable to feel that way OP. I think it will be a bit of a shock at first but won't take you long to get in the swing of a work life balance and it will make time with baby even more special x

Never been on.maternity leave but I'm.sending you my best wishes. Don't try and do all the things ,at home, you did before you became a parent. If you can get some paid help in so you can free up time for nice things as a family and individually. Hand hold

It’s so so tough the first day back! And then things settle and get much easier when that first day is out of the way. Honestly it’s the fear of the unknown. Your life is so different to before maternity leave it almost feels like starting a new job going back. Things do get easier once you settle in. I do part time now, luckily could manage to budget it in just about, but I don’t mind going in for my few days, as I get some adult chat and my lunch break is for me where as at home I’m lucky to eat a lunch. I know it won’t make you feel better now, but it will get a lot easier! If you have the leave, I agree with the above poster that suggested taking a day a week to settle back in. It is really tiring when you start back! I think the build up to the return is what does it, all the stress!!

It will be ok. You will have bedtimes, weekends, lots of bank holidays coming up plus annual leave. My kids loved their childminders/nursery and it's been so good for them. I went back full-time after my first, part-time after my second. Older DD did great in full-time childcare and I coped fine after being very worried about it. It's the start of an exciting chapter for your DC starting childcare. Good luck tomorrow.