Advice about going back to work early

[DaniLou86]

Hi All,

This will be my first post and i would really like some advice.

I have just recently had my baby girl she will be 3months next week and i was not due back at work until the end of may but the oppertunity of a promotion has come up at my work and i want to apply but if i apply and if i am lucky enough to get the job i would have to start back at work in late Jan early Feb.

I really want to try for the job because i want to be able to provide for my daughter but the down side is that if i got the job they want me to work 37 hours a week probably over 5 days were previously ive only worked 26-30 over 4 days a week.

I feel guilty because i might be leaving my little one early plus when back at work i will hardly have anytime to see her or my partner because he also works full time but split shifts.

Is there any mums here that have gone back to work early under simular circumstances because i would really appreciate any advice available. I was also wondering if it was possible for me to ask to do my hours over 4 days instead of five and if it would go against me if i asked for set days etc.

i really am in two minds whether to apply or not its so hard

Thanks

thank you and yes that is true :) did people look badly at you for going back to work early?

When my eldest was born I had to be actively seeking working when she was 6 weeks old!!! The next one you only got 16ish weeks leave and she's only 9!

I would honestly say, apart from breast feeding issues, that it is far easier to leave a young baby than one who is 8 months plus when they are so much more interactive and start being aware of seperation from their main carers etc.

I would say go for it, get the job and then see what you can do. Perhaps after several months fulltime you will be able to reduce your hours or something. Don't worry what other people think or say everyone always has an opinion, do what is best for you and your family.

My eldest was born in '97 and I was reliant on income support so yep actively had to be seeking work from when she was 6 weeks old and was working once she was 9 weeks old - thank goodness I had a straightforward birth! Returning when the next was 16 weeks old seemed luxury.

Agree it is soooooo much easier when they are younger.
You will feel guilty and it will be hard!
Short term pain for long term gain? If you have any doubts though make sure you sort these our first!

I went back to work (FT) when DS was 4 months old. Had been planning on taking longer, but it was a promotion (which I wouldn't have got if I hadn't come back then as they couldn t keep the job open any longer) - and I thought if I didn't take it I would regret it later.
I found it very tough, especially as DS was still breastfeeding and for about a week after I went back refused to take a bottle.
HOWEVER, other than the bottle situation, I actually think it was probably easier leaving him whilst he was so young than it would be leaving him for the first time now (he s 9 months): When they're younger they re not so aware of what is going on, and can t express themselves so well.... and obviously they re more maleable and less set in their ways! Personally, my advice would be it's not so much the age they are when you go back, but the time you get to spend with them once you are back - so if you can negociate to work part time, or condense the hours in a day, then I would really fight for that!