Yet another OMG I am abandoning my child thread

[pesme]

Hi, my maternity leave has always seemed to stretch on forever and I have enjoyed it, in fact I would go so far as to say I have had the time of my life. Now dd is nearly 8 months and she has a settling in session at nursery next week. How did this happen? I can't leave her (I know I will have to). Feels like my heart is being ripped out. Now I am crying, help. (I also have a stinking cold so everything seems much worse than it is)

Can only sympathise, pesme! Are you going back to work f/t or p/t? You will still see her lots, you know! And discover lots more about her, the things she does at nursery, her new freinds. But I know it's hard.

Thanks blu, it is part time and dp will be looking after he 1 morning so its only 2 days nursery. logically I know it is the right thing, but she has been so upset with the cold the last few days. I just need to find a few coping mechanisms.

That sounds like a brilliant arrangement!
When I left DS for the first time, my Mum came with me, and I didn't go to work, I went for a coffee round the corner (for the first 'settling in' hour). have you left dd with a freind/family member for a day or half day before now? (to shop, go out, etc?) If you have, it's no different, is it? we just get so worked up about leaving them to work!
Once you get into the routine, it will be fine. Why not make yourself a star chart, with a special treat for you and dd - a nice outing together - to look forward to at the end of the first and second week? parents need rewards, too, to get us through these horrible bits!

Give yourself a big gold star blu, definitely feel better.