Remind me why going back to work in less than 3 weeks is going to be great...

[Wigeon]

Going back to work after a year's maternity leave with DD2, who will be 11 months (DD1 will be 3.10yrs).

Feeling a bit sad about it - DD2 is a lovely baby and DD1 can't remember last time I worked and left her. It's been so nice on mat leave to be entirely in charge of what we do every day, to muck about with the DDs, eat lunch in the garden, meet up with other mums and

I haven't missed the tyranny of emails (I used to get c.70 a day), office politics, stressy work deadlines, "stakeholder management" the commute (an hour into central London, the tube, delays, other commuters). All I can see is an endless stretch of decades and decades of working ahead and missing my DDs.

On the other hand, I am completely happy with my childcare (very fortunate to have DH working PT and my mum doing one day), I am going back to a new job which should be really interesting, I'm working 3 days (so will see the DDs on 4 out of 7 days), and I'll be earning money again. On the whole I'm really lucky and should just buck up!

Please remind me of other reasons why I should be looking forward to going back to work! I can think of 1 reason:

I will be able to eat lunch without pretending to be a pirate.

Any more?

Sorry, rogue "and" at the end of para 2 there.

've just finished my first month back after a year as a SAHM. I can't tell you much I have enjoyed it and I am full time. I am feeling far less tired than I was at home all day. Just need to find a cleaner now...

What do you reckon you've enjoyed most about being back, Llareggub?

Lunchbreaks! You can do a little bit of shopping (presumably, if you're central London) and try on clothes. You can go up and down stairs without waiting for the lift. You can go to the toilet all by yourself!
You can listen to podcasts/audiobooks/music which does not involves farm animals and bus wheels on your commute, or read a book for a whole half hour.
Oh yeah, and work is intellectually stimulating and pays money, I guess, but tbh it's all about the lunch breaks.

You can cross the road if there's no traffic without waiting for the green man. Sometimes you can even cross where there isn't a crossing!

I am also looking forward to not having days where everything is an argument with my 3 year old. And where I don't have to change yet another pooey nappy on the baby. And where I am not solely responsible for all household chores during the daytime.

Just being me for a sustained period each day. I am a single parent and my job requires quite a bit of travelling so I revel in the quiet of my car each day. Bliss.

Yes, quiet during the commute! I used to read loads of books and sort of looked forward to the train ride.

I work 3 days too and do enjoy the stimulation that work offers. My job is never boring or routine and I face new challenges on an almost daily basis. I can honestly say that I think I'm a better parent because I'm to work; I love the time I have with dd but also as Llareggub comments the travelling time on my own is great. I'm also very lucky with my child care arrangements so for us it's a win win situation. Good luck.

You will answer to something other than 'DD1/2's mum'.

I've just been back for a month after my second lot of 9 months maternity leave (worked full time for a year and a half between both MLs), full time plus 90 minutes commute in total every day. After a couple of days it felt like I've never been away (in a good way) and all of us slotted into a routine very easily. It helps that the nursery is ace, and No2 bonded even quicker with her keyworker than No1 did when she was a baby.

It helps if you find your job fulfilling and interesting. I find I'm enjoying my children more since I've started work again. It's much more fun and less draining.

3 days a week will be lovely, as others have said you will be able to eat lunch without being harassed (DD insists on having some of mine even if hers is exactly the same ), nose around the shops unhindered on the way in/home/at lunchtime, go for post-work drinks and catch up with the office gossip, with a bit of luck your DD2's bowel movements will be timed so that you don't have any poo nappies to do on your work days, you'll be less tired and stressed at the end of a work day than at the end of a 'mum' day.... Etc.

I went back 4 days a week after a year of mat leave but had to leave after 6 months as it just wasn't feasible to do the necessary hours & commute - it didn't fit in with DH's work at all and he earns more than double what I did. But having been at home for 3 months now I am really bored and keen to get back to work, so looking for something with less hours and closer to home. Going to work is definitely less tiring! Plus I really want a cleaner .

You make a cup of tea and then drink it.
You can eat your lunch without having to give half of it to someone else
You can have conversations about something other than Fireman Sam
It's 3 less episodes of In The Night Garden

Wigeon, I really empathise with your sadness at leaving your kids but one amazing upside to your story is that you are going back for only 3 days a week.
I worked 3 days a week for over 3 years and it was thee perfect balance.
However, I have recently gone back 5 days and I am struggling with really missing doing all the mumsy things you mentioned, with my daughter. I also miss going into the playground to collect my son after school.
I only have a 10 minute commute and I'm a teacher so my hours and holidays are good but it's the morning rush and the homework/dinner/hobbies time that is very busy for us. And I just can't put a price on the things I said I missed so I'm going to approach my boss about doing 4 days.
All the best.

Thank you for all the replies! Am feeling a bit more positive!

Feeling less tired - had been wondering how I was going to do a whole day's work in my current tired state, but having regular times of silence (rather than DD1 giving me a running commentary from 7am to 7pm every day), plus time to actually concentrate on one task at a time could definitely be invigorating rather than tiring.

I am going back after 5 years off and am really enjoying the thought of a lunch break , grown up conversation and shopping but I still had a little weep this morning when I realised this is the last week as life as I know it.

Aw alp I feel your pain. I miss my old life - my relaxed, tea drinking, park visiting, cake baking old life. But needs must. And I'm just going to spend all my extra cash on doing fun things with the kids.

I also think it will be great when all the children are at school and finally you can have a couple of days a week off! I know already that some of mine will be spent answering emails at work and doing washing/ironing and all the backlog stuff, but I am determined to join a pilates class and have my nails done once in a while once that time comes (which is still a couple of years off for me, but still!) and even do the lady that lunch bit with a couple of friends who I never manage to see these days!!!

Thanks again for replies . Trying to make the most of last full weeks at home with the DDs, and so nice that the weather is fantastic.