going back to work - its going to be hard isnt it, how to make it better?

[shelley72]

my first post on here!

i am going back to work in a few weeks after 11 months off with DD and i am DREADING it. at the minute i feel like i would rather die than have to leave my LO. i have been through it all before with DS so i know that eventually it will be ok-ish but still .

i have just been asked by work (prob cos they feel they have to) what can they do to make my return less strssful . i didnt know what to say as i wasnt expecting the question.

so for those of you that have returned recently do you have any ideas? what would have made things easier for you if you found it difficult?

tia

Hiya

I'm in a similar position, going back to work after DD2 next week. Withh DD1 I got myself in a right old state and DREADED IT! With DD2 I can't bloody wait! But I'm lucky as I enjoy my job to start off with and only work 3 days.

The one thing that would make it less stressful for me is extra support for if the girls are poorly. This is probably because, for me, the last 3 months have been a bit of a mare because DD2 has been permanently ill and I worry constantly about letting my employer down if I can't put her in nursery because of illness.

So a few more dependency days! Hope your return to work ok x

Sorry, no idea but just wanted to share the pain. Although i'm not going back until August i'll be going back full time and i'm full of doubts and sadness at the prospect as i worry i'll miss out on too much of my wonderful DS growing up. Really wish i could afford to go back part time instead.

I love my job and miss the banter with my colleagues, but i had no idea i'd feel so strongly about my DS and spending time with him. I've already been in tears twice about it which is daft as i should be making the most of the time i do have with him.

If it's any consolation i think it affects us more than it does our LOs. They're pretty resilient little things and benefit from time with other children. It also means we'll make the most of the quality time we do have with them. It's hard though, huh?

start in the middle of the week
maybe take some leave each week so you can work shorter weeks for a while

make sure you have done a few trial runs of childcare so you know LO is ok
at work - have you done any keep in touch days - maybe have one so you have been in before you start officialy
ask them to make sure your IT etc is set up before you get
arrange a meeting with your manager fairly soon after starting back - and I asked for some fairly small concrete things to do in the first few weeks
if you have had cover maybe arrange a handover meeting