Does it get easier leaving your lo?

[Justtrying]

Hi,
I'm currently in my second week back at work, on night 2 of 4 away from home. DD (10 months) is full of the cold and I miss her like crazy and feel a c**p mum for not being at home. She's with my parents tonight so I know she's well looked after and dh will pick her up tomorrow morning and look after her until i'm home on monday.

Does it get any easier leaving your lo whilst you go to work, my job means i'll be away 4 nights a week until the end of may ( but have got a weeks leave in april) when I start part time, then i'll only be away every other week. (Will work 5 days on 5 off) I am trying to relocate so i'm nearer home but its not happening anytime soon. I'm determined to stick it out until my part time starts to give it a go, but don't know if I can cope with the separation. I have considerd retraining in a different field but it would mean a significant (40% salary drop) and giving up a career I've worked so hard to build up + I have to give 3 months notice so would be stuck with being away for a bit any way.

How do other shift workers cope? Thanks

It does get easier

You get used to the fact that your parents can provide care.

It's easier when they're not feeling poorly.

To a certain extent, I'm afraid there's no easy solution for maternal guilt, you will always feel guilty, and shift work is no worse than leaving your child in nursery in the day, but yes, it does get easier.

It does get easier. I cried the whole of my first week. Probably a little pnd too at the time but it short, it was very very hard. What kept me going was the thinking am that I am providing for our future by doing this. Are u away from your dc five days a week? Is so, the bright side is that you will be rested and will sleep well at night. I did a lot of travelling so although used to hate being away, I loved the time on my own to catch up on sleep.

mega yes i'm away generally away 5 days a week. I'm sure the sleep will come eventually and I am enjoying having a little time to read/ study in peace.
DD has "spoken" to me on the phone this morning and my sis (who lives with my parents) has sent a couple of picture messages, so i'm slightly happier this morning. Focussing on the fact i'll be home for 60 hours on monday.

Thanks for your encouragement.