How do you mums work?...

[Newbie232]

I have a 2yo and 1yo. Still breastfeeding.

I had my induction for work today after returning from maternity leave. I work in a very academic and stressful field.

Work have surprisingly been very supportive and I am only working 3 days a week with no night shifts. I am very lucky as this is unusual in my field.

I only had my induction today and honestly... I feel knackered. I feel exhausted. Me and my kids have had colds and bad nights but I think I would have been tired anyway.

I don't know how you amazing mums work so much. Please could anyone share any advice or positive experiences? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

It's bloody hard and you will be tired. BUT it will get easier as you adjust to the change x

I really hope so. I honestly feel like my brain has grown in a couple of days 😂

Don't think I've spoken to as many adults in the past 2 years as I have in the past 2 days.

Very soon you will go to the toilet and manage to do a full wee without someone trying to come in / someone starting to cry / there being an ominous crash.

It will be awesome!

Coffee. Lots of coffee.

Coffee, chocolate, expensive childcare (to cover work needing me later etc) and a DH who genuinely does his share (and wants me to succeed).

It's knackering! When my kids were wee, I used to get ready for work and then put my dressing gown back on as it was inevitable that one of them would puke, grab me with weetabix covered hands etc just before we had to leave. DH was working a job that meant he left home at 6am so wasn't about to help in the mornings. I'd leave the house a disaster in the morning and DH would pick up kids, do a wee bit of tidying at the other end of the day although in all honesty the house was a disaster for about 6 years and really, who cares, you can't do everything.

It is hard, the 1st year especially when the kids are still so small, they (and you) get every bug going, assuming they'll be in a nursery setting. You have immense mum guilt about it all and feel constantly tired but it does get easier. Getting into a good routine and being organised helps

I had to phase out the bf when I went back to work....it was just too much. I'm a teacher and while I could have asked for somewhere to pump at work the reality is its a hectic job and I just couldn't afford the time. Giving up bf led to a huge improvement in sleep which really helped me cope. You get into a new routine. Also on work days they house stayed tidy and nursery fed all the meals to the kids so the parenting bit was actually a bit easier....the little ones were always knackered and slept well after a day of childcare too.

This! Just gone back full time, love my kids but love being able to leave the room without worrying what I'm going to come back to!

Glad to hear your house was a mess for 6 years, I'm 5 years in and feel like I'm only just starting to get on top of the house again.

It's really hard when they are little and you have two who are still very young. I applaud you still breastfeeding as I decided to stop before going back to work, couldn't face it.

As others have said, being organised, prioritising sleep. Make sure you have had conversations with your partner about what you are going to do when one of them is off ill.

Honestly, it’s definitely easier than being home with 2 toddlers. That’s why you don’t see men exhausted and not coping. When they are in school, obviously it’s different because you have all day to yourself, but being with 2 small children all day every day was way more exhausting than doing 12 hour days with a long commute. I got to finish my coffee at work and I got proper breaks to sit and eat in peace. I got mental stimulation and adult conversation. I had work friendships. The transition, yes, was a big one. But it was definitely easier working than being at home.

Thank you so much for the replies. It really makes me feel less alone about it all as my workplace is very male focused.

I really like the reply about the dressing gown! I had sticky fingers all over my blazer so that's a good one!

The same way as dads work, minus the breastfeeding.

I found it hard going back full time at first (especially with pumping) but you just get used to it