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Original poster

Going back to work next week - what should I prepare?

15 replies

toomuchtooold · 01/04/2014 06:39

Just that really. I have 2 year old twins and I'm about to return to work 3 days a week after mat leave/sabbatical. I have some funky new work clothes and my Oyster's topped up: kids are in nursery now 3 days/week so I have a little spare time. What do you suggest I do now to make it easier for when I get back - what do you wish you'd done before you went back?

OP posts:
IceNoSlice · 01/04/2014 06:47

Batch cook some meals and freeze them
Sort out the little annoying jobs like getting DCs new shoes, swim gear etc
Pre-buy family/close friend birthday cards and gifts for the next few months plus a stock of generic 2yo gifts for taking to any parties your DC get invited to
Plan a holiday in a few months to give yourself some family time to look forward to (doesn't have to be expensive)

Finally ... Enjoy a bit if time for yourself! Swim, run, gym - whatever you like to do. Haircut, nails.

Good luck being back at work - I really enjoyed being back in the workplace.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/04/2014 06:51

Done all the washing and ironing so it lasted ages
Planned online shops and appts for hair etc in advance. My weeks started to disappear in a round of work / nursery pick up / dinner . I found I could no longer pop to the shops on the way home, as everything was tightly timed.
Also got a family diary as once the birthday parties etc started at nursery we needed to be a lot more organised.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/04/2014 06:52

Yes to the birthday cards and gift prep.
Enjoy OP - you will be able to have lunch to yourself again.

GertBySea · 01/04/2014 07:03

Have an immediate back up plan in place for when they get sick. My DD had some bug or another in my first week back, DH couldn't help and it would have been better if I'd had a back up plan, like someone to call, straight away. Usually I would take time off to look after the DC but didn't want to in my first few weeks.

YY to coffee and lunch. Ooh and going to the toilet on your own. Woo hoo!

Fiveleaves · 01/04/2014 07:17

Are you returning to same job? Very fortunate to have an employer who kept it open for you to have a sabbatical after mat leave.

I would just relax to be honest! Read a book in peace...

Original poster
toomuchtooold · 01/04/2014 12:45

ice, good ideas, went and got new shoes for the ladies this morning and this afternoon will buy some bits and pieces for bath cooked meals (i.e. pasta sauces as basically that's all we eat!) ken, just found out the dry cleaners at the end of our road does ironing so I think we will be paying that particular problem to go away... gert, good idea but we have zero backup down here unfortunately! My mother lives 400 miles away and the in laws even further. Used to be an advantage, not any more...

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/04/2014 21:10

Ha, I save up all my crap TV to iron with !

Original poster
toomuchtooold · 02/04/2014 06:33

Oh yeah nothing better than catching up with Holby over a hot iron. There's some telly that just needs a physical activity to go with it. I should take up knitting.

OP posts:
maggiethemagpie · 02/04/2014 18:48

OP - I'm with you, I'm going back next week three days a week after a year off having my second child. My first child didn't go to nursery as he was in daddy day care from the end of my first mat leave to the beginning of the second, so I'm going from no kids in nursery to two, like you. I'm also starting a brand new job so it's double scary. So can't offer you any advice, but just wanted to say good luck!

Original poster
toomuchtooold · 02/04/2014 19:23

Oh you too Maggie! what days are you doing? I'm Wed-Fri - shall think about you! What is the new job?

Have the kids started nursery yet? If not don't worry, it's amazing how fast they settle in. One of mine didn't want to leave tonight! (Gratifyingly she was glad to see us, just wanted us to hang out at the nursery with her).

I took everyone's advice and did a bit of clothes shopping for them today and got birthday party stuff and also did a bit of cooking. There's about 3 weeks worth of goulash and pasta sauces in the freezer now. Tomorrow I have to go to the library and read about things because there have been lots of "interesting" developments in my job since I left.

OP posts:
Strandy · 02/04/2014 20:37

OP and others on here, I am returning to work in six weeks time after one year off. I too will be doing just three days a week. I only have one DS though, so it can't be as overwhelming, but I am reading this advice with delight, as I was just thinking about the same things this morning. What should I be DOING before I go back, to make it easier, and to also treasure these last few weeks before the real routine sets in? Great answers above - thanks.

I am tackling things on my to-do list already, but they are big things like finish the garden and pass my driving test (don't ask...mid thirties and still on a learner permit). I will certainly do some batch cooking and buy lots of birthday cards!

Good luck all!

maggiethemagpie · 02/04/2014 21:24

Hi Too much and others. I work in HR, the job is mon/tues/wed. My son has been at nursery a while, he loves it there, so no worries about him but my daughter has never been before, she is in for two half days tomorrow and fri to get her used to it. My mum is having them one day a week too, so they are only actually in nursery two days each.
I won't be doing any batch cooking as I'm on a crazy packet-only diet at the mo trying to lose my pregnancy weight, the nursery will do meals for the kids and hubby can fend for himself! so I suppose that makes it slightly easier. The worst thing will be getting my 3 year old out in the morning I reckon- hes going through a defiant stage at the moment saying no to every request - won't have time for the naughty step routine!

Good luck everyone!

Strandy · 03/04/2014 08:27

Hi Maggiethemagpie - I have my DS set to go to nursery two days a week, and one day at home with a childminder (she was doing some minding for me throughout the past six months so keeping her for one day, she can't do any more). I hope he will settle! He will be 12 months. I think we are all in the same head-space...trying to mentally prepare! Good luck!

maggiethemagpie · 04/04/2014 17:52

Well my DD had her first two mornings at nursery - it was worse for me than for her, I don't think she even realised I had gone! She's a bit too young to be clingy so I have probably got her in at the right time. It wasn't too bad as I know and trust the nursery from having my son there, I came back at lunchtime and she had had a grand old time, in the baby gym and the leaf rocker (which looks REALLY good - wish they did them for adults!)
Its good that I've been able to settle her in before going back to work - my nursery allow you to swap the bank holidays at no extra charge so I just used easter Monday to have two half days this week.
Right I have two days now to get my head around the fact that I am starting a new job on Monday! will prob spend the whole of sunday getting everything ready for the week.
Good luck all

Original poster
toomuchtooold · 07/04/2014 06:43

Maggie, just wanted to say best of luck for this morning!

OP posts:
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