Returning to work guilt and worry

[89KAE]

I will be returning to work in October. I keep having moments of anxiety and major guilt. I have to go back 4 days a week in order to be able to afford to live.

My baby will be spending 4 days with his Auntie and cousin (who is 4 months older than him). I know he will be well cared for and probably have more fun with his cousin but I can't help but feel really guilty. I obviously want to spend as much time with him as possible and feel like i will be a part time mum rather than part time employed

hugs
It's hard, I have two DCs and I still find it hard going to work.... but like you my work is vital to our family finances and gives me a foot in the working world too. I work PT, but still long hours (maximum PT for my role) yet sometimes I think I get the best of being a mum and the best of being at work iyswim? Sounds like you have someone you trust looking after your baby, which makes a huge difference. We have no family near by or able to help and so have had to rely on paid care which is sometimes tricky.
How old will your baby be when you go back? Xx

You are in a great position as you will be part time and your child is left with familiar family.
Don't wort about it. It is completely fine.

Thank you for your responses. I'm working 4 out of 5 days a week and will aim to get down to three in order to spend more time with my baby (finances permitting). My sister has been such a God send in relation to this. I was dreading him going to nursery. It must be hard not having family around for support.

He will be 9 months when I return.

When I returned to work full time after my first I felt exactly like this. Once I got into the swing of things it was fine. I loved having goals to focus on, seeing old friends, drinking hot cups of tea and having a lunch break (which I often used to do shopping/family related organisation).

What I didn't love was rushed dinner times and evenings. So I invested in a slow cooker and did a lot of batch cooking. I also struggled with housework so planned this and meals out in an organised mum planner that I carried everywhere with me. I did one big job a day and it worked well. If you can afford it then get a cleaner!

Organisation is your friend and will help you to feel in control so that then you can focus your remaining time on enjoying your DS. He will be more than fine and you will love his excitement when you pick him up at the end of the day.