2nd time mums if you went back to work quickly.....

[DoingItForTheKids]

How quickly did you return to work and how did it go?

I went back part time (20 hours) when DS2 was 8 months, my mum had him while I was at work until he started going to nursery aged 13 months. It was fine. I'd been a SAHM for most of the three years before that and I was happy to go back to work. We also desperately needed the money!
The only thing that was really, really hard - and still is - is when they were ill. they'd both be ill within a couple of days of each other, and more often than not I would get whatever they had had. This is the only thing that is hard about working with two young DC imo.

I went back when my 2nd was just 5 months! I'd got a new job on mat leave and negotiated a delayed start. 3 days term time only so it was fine. Bit of a blur as my oldest was only 2! Sometimes i just got them in bed for 7. Ate and went to bed myself! When they both got ill, chicken pox at the same time, it was difficult. But honestly it was fine. They were both at nursery 8-4.

I'm a freelancer and had to take on some work when my second one was 2 months. I hated it. Got easier from about 4 months. He seemed fine all along. I work from home and got a nanny for two days a week.

When he was a year, he went to the childminder 4 days (school hours only). Was a tough transition, but in the end he was happy there until pre-school.

Went back when daughter was 9 months, 3 days a week. Found that to be ideal balance with a little one. Currently working 4 days

3 months. I’d have paid to be out the house, my DD was going through toddler tantrums and DS had reflux.

Went back when dc2 was 5 and a half months (and dc1 only a year and a half).
Found it fine.

I went back to work after two weeks both times. I'm self employed and did it out of necessity rather than choice. But it was absolutely fine. Granted, it may have been different had I needed a section but birth one was an induction/forceps in theatre birth and I still was fine going back to work (12 hour day on my feet).

Would have been nice to have had longer off but my work is seasonal so I'm lucky to be able to spend a lot of time with the DCs now when I'm not working.

Thank you all so much! I didn't get any notifications about the post so only just found all of your replies.

I'm self employed which is why I'm debating an earlyish return. Maybe a day or 2 a week from 3 months and that would mainly be from home and with child care from family (daughter would be at nursery). I also want to breastfeed again and daughter was a bottle refuser so that could be tricky.

@purplepingu 2 weeks only is incredible. It's so tough being self employed isn't it??