When did you start enjoying being back at work?

[stripeybumpsmum]

Not sure what I am asking here really - experiences I suppose.

I've been back at work 3 months after taking 6 months ML with DC3. Complicated in that I was also off for a few months before that with DC2 seriously ill.

Although I am back within same wider team and on previous p/t hours, there is a new leadership team and my core activities have changed. I had a strong relationship with the previous management and I would say I have a strong work ethic - to my cost sometimes, in overcommiting.

I knew my confidence was low and expected the first few weeks to be hard but it seems to be getting worse, not better and I am exhausted by constantly thinking about how I could leave (financially not an option). I know I would like another baby eventually, and there is a strong possibility DC2 will be seriously ill again so maybe I am holding back a bit. Just shocked at how unengaged I appear to be and resenting every minute in the office. I never thought I would say this but it is just a form of income.

Tell me I am being unrealistic with my timescale - it will get better in the next few months?

I've been back 4 months after 15 months off. I'm in a different job/team etc. I like my team & the job is ok but I'd still rather be at home

It took me at least a year, job is still average but I know I'm going to stay here until little one out of company nursery and I can look around

My circumstances at work had all changed too similar to you OP I have to admit its taken a year to settle in. With lots of soul searching, lip biting, and a few tears I might add. I think I kind of mentally divorced my career
And accept I had just a job. This year my career if not vocation is my dh and dc. In order for us to function as a family I have had to put them first. I now feel dh will confidently be able to earn more in his career than me and also in time be able to cover my salary should work 'let me go' (I have a fear of not being able to pay my bills as this happened to my parents when their business went down). This has taken the fear away that we will manage if I lost my job. It is soooo hard though only other parents understand. It will get better. Good luck.

Thanks for replies. Sorry for late response - work getting in the way! I understand what you say. I think every ML (and other stuff) have reduced career aspirations and maybe I've just not been back long enough to start being on the up curve of enjoyment again. Or maybe just way too much pull to be at home now. I keep reminding myself how lucky I am to have a job (hardly down t' pit and all that) but just seems a hard slog.

Thanks

How are you doing? It is a hard slog - I realised my last post was quite negative I think I have good days and bad days but mostly I view this job as treading water in my career - I'm not going forwards but neither am I backwards and it is easier to get an another job if you have one, I would never get the hours I'm on in a new job and I'm investing in mine and our future.... got to see the positives, I still miss my dc's loads, having children has definitley reduced my career aspirations but I still wrestle with that (I'm also bit envious that dh doesn't have the same dilema )

anyway hope you are having a good week - hang on in there, January can be a rubbish month anyway!