I'm supposed to be going back to work on monday after 14 months off, my ds is 13 months old and I really don't know if i'm doing the right thing...
I've taken the softly, softly approach to parenting, I still breastfeed, bed share when he demands it (still for the second half of most nights) and have never had a baby sitter, longest i've left him is a couple of hours with dad while I got my hair cut...His one time away from us both was last weekend and comprised an hour with grandparents and aunts and uncles all doting!
On the whole he's a bright, confident, happy little explorer (even if I do say so myself) and i'm happy with my approach to date.
But now the long avoided time has come...and I really don't want to go back, thing is I dont know if that is for him or me...
He's been settling in at nursery this week, and after wobbles all week he's done amazingly well today, 2.5 hours without a backwards glance. I gave him a kiss waved bye, he looked at me and carried on playing, when I went back he was merily playing and didnt even notice I was there 'til i tapped him on the shoulder and said hello! He then happily showed me all the toys he played with and insisted on hugging the staff and babies before we left! I couldn't have asked for more from him, and after yesterday when I was ready to call work and say I'm sorry but no way I'll bve back he amazed me.
THe thing is, I do believe that after 13 months of mum, and being a very clingy newbie, he now has the confidence to explore pastures new and needs more than just mum and dad. He has no siblings or cousins, and although some friends have children of their own he is the youngest and they all live at least an hour away. I think he needs to develop his social skills and expand his horizons but I think he needs me there too.
I'm worried that by putting him in nursery I'll undo all the confidence I've worked so hard to help him build, conversely i'm worried that by keeping him at home with me i'll hinder his social development. I can't afford to fund nursery without working and whilst we do baby activities together thay all seem to be based on parent child interaction with minimal child interation...
PLEASE HELP...