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Original poster

Best thing about being back at work?

33 replies

Hgirl1974 · 08/09/2011 19:58

I'm now three weeks away from returning to work and having been through the usual crises and anxieties, I'm now keen to focus on the positives. So I wondered what you all thought was the best thing about returning to work after maternity leave. At the moment, I'm thinking:

  1. Gossip - catching up with the office scandal (and from what I hear, there's been some good stuff going on in my absence!)
  1. Being able to dig out the killer heels again, although I fear that pregnancy and new motherhood may have permanently destroyed my ability to balance on them.
  1. Doing something on my own, rather than being a constant chaperone for the little guy (like those minders who escort around Hollywood stars and are generally ignored whilst the star of the show laps up the attention).
  1. Being asked questions that I can confidently give an answer to, rather than "do you think he's tired/cold/hungry?" or "should he be doing that?" or "why is his poo that colour?"

What else should I be looking forward to?

OP posts:
An0therName · 08/09/2011 20:14

having a cup of tea without someone needing something, or trying to grab it

CountBapula · 08/09/2011 20:18

Going to the loo unaccompanied.

battherat · 08/09/2011 20:20

Every time you pick up ds or dd from whatever daycare they have it's like getting the best present ever.

gourd · 08/09/2011 21:06

Money - though only slightly better after childcare costs than SMP. Nothing else. Work is hard, unrelenting, stressful, long day with commute. Much rather not be doing it but needs must.

MrPinkSoundsLikeMrPussy · 08/09/2011 21:09

Quiet time. I have an office to myself and with 3 small children 5 hours of relative silence is pure bliss.

And I love putting my shift dresses on and knowing for the next 5 hours or so no one is going to dribble, puke or wipe their nose on it!

oooggs · 08/09/2011 21:12

I used to like being able to close the toilet door and not having to share my lunch Wink

acatcalledfelix · 08/09/2011 21:12
  • "You" time, even if it's not exactly they type of you time you'd choose to have.
- Adult conversation - I adore my mummy friends but chat always goes back to sleep /poo / milk etc - Being paid! - Actvtities that don't involve chasing a toddler round a climbing frame or singing nursery rhymes. - Having time alone, be it on the commute, in the loo, buying your lunch.

I don't particularly like my job and wasn't looking forward to going back. But, I went back part time, and that was the best of both worlds for me. Mind you, I'm back on mat leave soon!

acatcalledfelix · 08/09/2011 21:13

Oh and being able to eat a chocolate bar or a cake openly, not feeling guilty!

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 08/09/2011 21:14

I get breaks - a quick one in the morning then a full 1/2 hour for lunch.

Those alone are worth going for Grin

ginmakesitallok · 08/09/2011 21:16

The drive there and back - which is totally your own time. Oh and lunch breaks - bliss. And people who know you as ginmakesitallok and not ginmakesitallok's daughters' mummy.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 08/09/2011 21:52

Gin - not if your dc go to your workplaces' onsite nursery, no time to switch off at all!

MrPinkSoundsLikeMrPussy · 08/09/2011 21:53

Ah yes the drive to and from work! Radio on or off, my choice of station and not having to listen to the same Adele song over and over and over and over again so DD3 can learn all the words.

Moulesfrites · 08/09/2011 21:59

I am looking forward to wearing high heels and choosing outfits without having to consider ease of boob access!

WorrisomeHeart · 09/09/2011 13:46

Agree with the commute - this is my first week back after a years mat leave and I have a 40 min train ride in to work. The other day there were major delays so I got almost 1.5 hours of uninterrupted reading time! Lovely!

Pancakeflipper · 09/09/2011 13:48

Eating your lunch with no interuptions.

If on public transport being able to take a book and read.

LittleNutbrownHare · 10/09/2011 22:09
  • those little quiet moments during the working day when you remember you are going home to your baby. I've been back at work for a year now, and these moments still make my tummy flutter with excitement.
Jojay · 10/09/2011 22:14

Taking paid holiday when the kids are already booked into childcare that you have to pay for whether they go or not, so you might as well send them and have a day to yourself............. Grin

'Tis the biggest thing I miss now I'm a SAHM Sad

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 11/09/2011 21:23

Oh yes Jojay - those days are very special Grin

LovetheHarp · 13/09/2011 14:15

Having quiet time and being able to sit down and "think".

Mainly money though and the realisation that without me working 3 days we wouldn't be able to afford a lot of things - that thought actually scares me a bit!!!

BsshBossh · 19/09/2011 20:04

Peace and quiet. I now work at home (DD in nursery) but even working in a noisy office it was easier to tune out colleagues c.f. a toddler.

anniemac · 20/09/2011 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Zimm · 25/09/2011 13:19

Cups of tea drunk without interruption. No food strains on your clothes. Lunchbreaks.

emsyj · 25/09/2011 13:28

Mooching around the shops without a buggy at lunchtime, eating a whole sandwich without being harassed for a taste!

RebelFromTheWaistDown · 25/09/2011 17:39

I have a great job. I love -
The money
The days off
Annual leave

cloudydays · 25/09/2011 18:06

I've been back to work a year now. The best thing is realizing - knowing from my own experience - that all my anxieties and self-imposed guilt trips about going back to work were completely unfounded.

I miss dd a lot of the time that I'm at work, but I know that she knows how much I love her, and I can see for myself that she is a confident, happy, outgoing, well adjusted little spirit who is very well bonded to both me and dh (who stays home with her). The proof of the pudding, as they say. If she's happy and healthy, why would I feel guilty about doing exactly what we're doing?

I was afraid that after I went back to work, she wouldn't see me as her main source of love and affection and comfort and stability anymore (all the things that mean mother to me). But she does. If she falls down and gets a bump when I'm not around, dh is well able to comfort and console her, as I'm sure a consistent and capable child care professional would be.

But if I'm home, only my kisses and cuddles will do. Because I'm still Mommy.

Knowing that for sure is by far the best thing about being back at work. Also, I love my job and it's in a field that really allows me to contribute something good to society, and that is a great feeling.

Adult conversation, coffee breaks with colleague friends, solo bathroom trips, feeling challenged again in different ways, the excitement (from both of us) when dd and I see each other at the end of each workday, all very positive things as well.

Also, I find that being at work is better than ever, too. On good work days, I think "God, I'm so lucky. So lucky to have this job, so lucky to have dh and dd. This is the best of both worlds, for sure." And on crap work days, I think "Oh who gives a shit anyway, this is only work - real life is waiting for me at home and I'll be back there at 6pm. Three more hours of this shit til I'm back with dd and it won't matter at all."

Best of luck with your return! IME the thought of it is much, much, much, MUCH worse than the reality. :)