Eeek! Back to work next week!

[tallblonde]

Damn, I'm back to work next week (part time) after nine months off on mat leave and was feeling pretty ok about it. Until I just read the back to work tips on this site, that is. Instead of helping, they've now made me panic - it seems like we'll all be ill forever more, I'll be living in a tip, I'm worrying about not having back up childcare (naive, I've just realised!) and generally it seems like life is about to get way, way more difficult.

Is there anything good about going back (aside from getting a lunch break?)???

LOTS of good things about going back to work! You will remember that you are an individual, that your brain works, that you can enjoy adult conversation. You will enjoy going to the loo without taking someone with you. Your house will be LESS of a tip (because you and your DC are not in it making a mess). You might get to read a book on the train. Your DC will benefit from being lovingly cared for by someone other than you. You will miss him/her desperately but you will probably find you have infinite patience with your little one when you do get home (I even started to enjoy getting up in the night for a sneaky cuddle!). Those were some of the things I enjoyed - you'll probably find others for yourself. Don't be too daunted. It's absolutely natural to be worried - I was both times, it wasn't any easier with DD2. Good Luck!

Going back to work is great. If you've been feeling generally OK about it, you'll be fine. I got a bit panicky on occasion but it was really the best thing I ever did. I'm so much happier. I don't get a lunch break at work either, but at least the computer isn't crying at me while I eat my sandwich with one hand and type with the other.

Intellectually, I feel transformed. And DS hasn't been ill much. I think I've had to have two working from home days for him in 4 months, one was yesterday.

And don't underestimate the benefits of bathtime becoming quality, fun time rather that can'twaitforyoutogotobedsoicandrinkwine time.

I love going to work - it feels like me-time in a way it never did before, just the fact I can drink a coffee without having to place it out of reach and stop half way through to wipe a bottom...In fact, I'm due to go on mat leave in 3 weeks time and am petrified about that - maybe it's just fear of change? I would never have thought before that my work would feel like me-time by the way, it is people focused, intense and very draining, but so completely different to spending all day everyday with a toddler. It was hard at first and I did feel guilty but life definitely got easier, not harder, once we had all settled in. In fact I occasionally fantasize about working full time (I do 3 days at the moment) as my work days are so peaceful compared to my at-home days.

And as others have said, I really appreciate the time I have with my ds, and every morning as I leave I really appreciate living in a time when childcare is available. We don't have back up childcare either - but it has been fine, my dh has taken one day off to look after him and I haven't had to take any in the last 8 months. Good luck and enjoy both the work and home aspects of your life.

I love going to work - it feels like me-time in a way it never did before, just the fact I can drink a coffee without having to place it out of reach and stop half way through to wipe a bottom...In fact, I'm due to go on mat leave in 3 weeks time and am petrified about that - maybe it's just fear of change? I would never have thought before that my work would feel like me-time by the way, it is people focused, intense and very draining, but so completely different to spending all day everyday with a toddler. It was hard at first and I did feel guilty but life definitely got easier, not harder, once we had all settled in. In fact I occasionally fantasize about working full time (I do 3 days at the moment) as my work days are so peaceful compared to my at-home days.

And as others have said, I really appreciate the time I have with my ds, and every morning as I leave I really appreciate living in a time when childcare is available. We don't have back up childcare either - but it has been fine, my dh has taken one day off to look after him and I haven't had to take any in the last 8 months. Good luck and enjoy both the work and home aspects of your life.