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Original poster

When did you go back to work full time?

26 replies

BeckiMilliesMummy · 15/02/2012 22:18

I went back to work full time after 3 months. Would be interested in when other mums went back full time as I feel like I went back really early compared to most people. Would be nice to hear others have too! :)

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/02/2012 22:22

DD1 = 12 weeks
DD2 = 10 weeks

At the time, it was what I wanted and I was ready to go back. If I did it again now though (dd2 is 14 so v unlikely!) I'd take all the leave I could get.

CMOTDibbler · 15/02/2012 22:22

DS was 4.5 months. No one to cover my work (not the sort of thing you can get a temp for), and closest colleague had twins 7 weeks after ds was born.

I don't regret it - tbh, I hated maternity leave

StetsonsAreCool · 15/02/2012 22:25

I went back part time when DD was 7mo. After a year of part time, I am more than ready for full time (have been for a while), and I think she is ready for 5 days of childcare too.

My best friend at work went back after 3 months after both of her children though.

Some families it suits, others it doesn't.

OneLittleBabyGirl · 16/02/2012 01:38

I went back at 7mo and I'm the first in my group. Most went back between 9 and 12mo as you get into the unpaid part of maternity leave.

WMDinthekitchen · 16/02/2012 01:42

When my youngest was 11 (years). Had been part time since she was 5.

Original poster
BeckiMilliesMummy · 19/02/2012 19:56

Yeah it seems to work with us. People always pull a face and ask 'isn't that a bit early? she needs to be with her parents' etc but she's a very happy little baby. Sleeps well, eats well, smiles constantly.... Couldn't ask for more! Thankyou everyone for your replies :)

OP posts:
DaisyAndConfused · 19/02/2012 20:04

Five months. DH was SAHP. In retrospect I wish I'd waited a bit or started back part time, it put a lot of pressure on us as a couple all but I worked in a small team and they were really struggling.

Most Mums I knew waited 9 - 12 months, about 1/2 didn't go back at all so I too got "faces".

Glad it's worked for you OP, ignore people's comment and trust your judgement!

itsonlyyearfour · 20/02/2012 12:59

DD1: I left and then got a new job full time when she was 2 and a half
DS1: Went back full time when he was 8 months
DS2: went back full time when he was 6 months
DD2: went back part-time when she was 18 months, and I am still part-time now and she is 2 and a half.

I think full time so early on was hell for me, I found it very stressful for different reasons each time. Part-time has its own downsides but my stress levels are definitely lower. For me it was between leaving work and keeping my career (barely) alive, but then again I do have 4 very young children and no family support, so I think that makes quite a big difference.

If it works for you then go for it, I also had a lot of criticism for going back full time, interestingly the 2 people who were the most fiercely critical of my choice are both back in work full time now whilst I have gone part-time!!

halfrom · 21/02/2012 22:15

I never went back to work as I couldn't do it. Of course it's up to the individual what they choose to do. For us it was an easy decision as I would never have been able to afford to work. The car, fuel, childcare for two then three children, work wardrobe, a holiday (because we would need one). I thought at first I would miss it but my life is so fullfilled both in and out of the home. I have plenty of adult company as kids are all at school / college now. I shop, have hobbies and various interests and life has never been so good as when I stopped work during first pregnancy. Staying at home doesn't have to be boring life is what you make it and yours for the taking.

Chubfuddler · 21/02/2012 22:18

Eight months. Dd will be ten months when I go back in June.

ssd · 21/02/2012 22:48

I've never worked full time since having kids, thank god

am skint though

GladysLeap · 22/02/2012 17:21

I went back 3 full days when DD was 9 mo then back to FT 6 months later.

NatashaBee · 22/02/2012 17:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheFallenMadonna · 22/02/2012 17:27

14 months the first time, 5 years the next! Have either worked full time or not worked.

KatieScarlett2833 · 22/02/2012 17:29

I still don't work full time and DC are 15 and 16.

I work 9-3 while they are in school.

I may never work full-time again.

GrungeBlobPrimpants · 22/02/2012 17:34

DC1 - 3 months

DC2 - 9 months

Went part time when DC1 started school (working school hours)

pinkpeony · 22/02/2012 17:36

5.5 months full time with both DCs. Was planning to go back a bit earlier with each (didn't get maternity pay, only maternity allowance), but had some health issues after DC1's birth I needed to sort out, and then DC2 was such a terrible sleeper that I wouldn't have been able to function at work any earlier (and barely did at 5.5 mths).

Xenia · 22/02/2012 18:08

I worked until I went into labour and with the first 3 went back after 2 weeks of my holiday full time. With the twins I was dealing with work the next day. It's a lot easier than looking after a load of small babies all day. Much more restful.

ssd · 23/02/2012 09:33
Grin
CultureMix · 25/02/2012 02:19

DS1: 11 months (was going to be 10 but at last-minute nursery space got delayed)
DS2: 10 months (with worries til last minute whether nursery space avail on Tues and Thurs)

I enjoyed both maternity leaves greatly, DS1 was in nursery while I had DS2 leave so was able to spend one-on-one time with both boys. In both cases though I was definitely ready to go back by end of leave and it's gone fine. I enjoy my work and it's not really one that could be done part-time.

What helped:

  • being able to afford a long matleave, otherwise would have been around six months (there's only one nursery in town now taking children < 10months so would probably have needed CM or nanny; two years ago my nursery was still taking 4-month olds)
  • home, work, nursery, school, afterschool all within a ten-minute drive - am very lucky in this, don't think it would work otherwise as we have no family support locally and DH works the other side of London on a horrible commute
  • when DS1 started nursery DH was still working locally so we were able to share unexpected sickness cover for all the new bugs; DH changed jobs ahead of DS2 but fortunately lots less sick days for DS2 I think he picked up some immunity from his brother
  • having done the same job previously and built up a good reputation so transition back in went smoothly - have now moved on to different role
Llareggub · 25/02/2012 18:18

I'm just about to start full-time work again after leaving my part-time job last year. My DCs are 5 and 3, and I am feeling very happy to go back. My life has rather imploded and I cannot rely on my husband for any income, so I am very glad that I didn't take too long out of the workplace and can find a job that will support me and the DCs. Scary times.

missmapp · 25/02/2012 18:31

In a way, I think the baby stage is an easier time to leave them, childcare is continuous, they are well cared for and given all they need. Mine are now 4 and 6 and I am starting to wish I didnt work as much. I wish i could do friends back for tea, and see all the school things, and chat about school whilst they can still rtemember ( its all a blur by pick up time!). i never really felt like this when they were babes.

I do mange to do friends etc in school hols, but, when my friends are now starting to up their hours, I wish I could reduce mine!! ( Doesnt help that work is rubbish at the mo!) Sorry if this is not an appropriate response, just a personal moan and wish really!

Llareggub · 25/02/2012 18:36

Well, I pick mine up at 3ish and still don't get any information from them!

missmapp · 25/02/2012 18:40

Thanks ! I cant reduce my hours, so need to stop moaning. They love their cm and dont ask for the things I am missing, I'm just getting a good old dose of mothers guilt. Sorry for whinging on a positive thread!

Llareggub · 25/02/2012 18:45

I vary wildly between feeling very positive and glad about going back to work and feeling horribly guilty. But, I know the reality is that I have been bored at home. Not all the time, but bored, with a very small life. Looking forward to lots of adult company again.