2 days into maternity and feel bombarded by messages from work colleagues.

[Bugrit]

I started maternity leave yesterday and am still getting used to the idea if I'm honest. I had a midwife appt. yesterday and have been fairly busy pottering about so far, although this is my first child so I don't have any small children to look after.

Already I have had 3 facebook messages from one colleague, one each from two others and today an e-mail from a fourth.

They are all very 'jolly', along the lines of 'are you missing us yet?', 'hope you're enjoying putting your feet up', 'lucky you, being off in this weather' etc but I'm starting to feel pestered.

I appreciate that they're trying to be nice but none are really friends outside work - although we are friendly in work IYSWIM. I feel obliged to reply out of politeness but really would prefer to be left alone for at least a few days.

Any advice, or do I just need to chill?!

I think you just need to chill.

They are just being kind.

Take a few days to adjust to the idea of being at home, and when you feel ready, reply with a short message if you feel like it.

if it's facebook, you could always update your status - saying - Enjoying a relaxing maternity leave, sleeping etc

ignore the mails through FB.

let it rest for a week and don't reply to any of them. if there's still a ton coming through, then you could send a couple of people replies letting them know you're ok and could they pass the message on to anyone else who's interested.

Thanks - think you're both right, they do mean well and I just need to give it a few days before replying. Don't think relaxing comes easy to me but will do my best :)

it will be the other way round with me in a few weeks!

I'll be the one on the phone and email checking in with work. they;ll probably have to disable my home access...

If it makes you feel any better Bugrit I've already been asked to come in for a 2 hour meeting two days before my due date (am 38w on Thurs), been back into work to verify someone's timesheet and discuss an 'urgent problem' and only finished two days ago.

And in between that have pretty much just been doing chores that involve cleaning up after/ feeding DP who is having to put in long work hours at the moment so don't feel like I can complain....which is fantastic with SPD so bad I can barely move after 4pm!

To be honest I think people are just being nice and trying to stay in touch with you. The great thing about facebook as opposed to receiving calls, texts is that you can just ignore the messages till you feel like responding then claim you haven't checked for facebook for days/weeks. I do that all the time!!!

Certainly puts things in perspective, planner26. Hope things improve for you and all the best.