Leaving My Baby To Return To Work

[StarCrossed9]

Hello all,

I am after a bit of a hand-hold. I have 7 weeks left of my maternity leave after being fortunate enough to be able to take the first year off with my son. But all of a sudden time is speeding by and I am feeling genuine anxiety at the thought of leaving him. I am returning to work 4 days a week; DS will go to nursery for 2 days, a day with Daddy and a day with Nanny and Granddad per week.

I have chosen a lovely nursery for him where I actually used to work. My best friend is still employed there so I know he is in good hands. And I love my job! I have all the support I need from them to transition back and I am looking forward to seeing my colleagues again. When I have my logical head on, I also know my son will be absolutely fine. It's just me, I wonder how I am going to cope not having him with me all the time. I know I'm going to miss him like crazy and dropping him off on his first day is going to break my heart.

Hello. I’m going back in December too after my third maternity leave. I also feel anxious even though it’s my third time of doing this!!
Drop offs for the first month can be horrible but then it all settles down.
Your son will be fine. You like your job and I think it’s good to keep a career going if you can.
Honestly, you’ll look back when he’s five and think you were worrying about nothing. My first child hated nursery but he can’t remember a second of it and he’s grown into a lovely, well adjusted kid with lots of friends.
Good luck and hang in there!

It's a while ago for me but my DS went to nursery from 4 months old (3 days a week, then 4 from a year old, 5 days 2 years old).

The first time did feel like a dreadful countdown.

Despite all the introduction sessions, the first day I left him at nursery (despite keeping my happy face on until I walked out of the door of the nursery baby room) I sobbed my heart out - arriving in work to need a swift trip to the toilets to re-do my make up (mascara rivers are not a good look on your first day back in a professional environment).

Upshot from my POV is that it's natural to feel anxious and the first day (actually 2 weeks if I'm honest) will be shit for you.

However, DS was happy as anything (much to my maternal annoyance). Much of the credit goes to the fantastic (and bloody expensive though) nursery and their settling in process.

Looking back it was still the right thing for our family unit.

I don't have any issues with women who choose to stay at home. It just wasn't right for me.

My DS still remembers nursery and his friends there (early teen now) and is still in contact with 4 of them despite going to different schools.

Upshot is it will be emotional for you, but it will be ok and from the care plan you've described your child will be in excellent hands and likely thrive on the extended social contact and interaction.

I really feel for you as I felt extremely anxious leaving my son to go back to work. I still do get really anxious if I have to leave him over night. Have to say though that nursery has been great for him and he loves spending time with family. It was hard at first, especially when he would cry at drop off, but honestly they get over that in minutes, it's you that feels rubbish all day! It gets easier quite quickly, if I'm only leaving him for the day I now feel absolutely fine - and he isn't at all bothered!

I cold have written this. I have 4 weeks to go and counting

Can I join the ranks too, I'm due back in 7 weeks as well though it's my second child. 4 days a week during which DD will be in the nursery we've used for DS for 3 yrs, she's starting one day per week from this week to get her used to the place. I think I feel worse this time as it's my last planned child and I'm not a massive fan of my job so I'm wondering why I'm bothering to go back! (need the money, obviously, and would go stir crazy at home with kids for any longer - I know this rationally but my emotions think otherwise!) I've also had quite a difficult year with family and personal stuff (though managed to avoid PND this time around) so haven't felt the benefit of the mat leave really. Harumph.