Hi,
I’m only 12 weeks pregnant with my first but I’m already stressing about what I’m going to do about work. I started a new job early this year; a job I’d worked incredibly hard to get and build towards and it is ‘my dream job’ essentially. We were trying to get pregnant but just happened to be incredibly lucky and got pregnant far quicker than we thought was likely. My job is an hours drive away and I work 4 10 hour days, so am out of the house 12 hours total. I’m now really worried that when my maternity leave ends, I won’t see my baby virtually at all for 4 days a week. Working part time is not an option for me as I earn more than my husband. Its not at all that I’m worried my baby won’t be okay; but I’ll miss them.
The alternative is I return to my previous job which I did enjoy; it’d be slightly less money and the option isn’t available to do 4 days so I’d have to do 5 days but it is closer to home so they would be more civilised hours (likely out of the house for 9 hours rather than 12).
My husband is very anti this idea as he feels I worked so hard to get the job I have now, he thinks I’ll regret giving it up and having to try to get it again in another 5 years or so when I feel ready. I think he is right really but I just hate the idea of not seeing my baby for 4 days a week. At least returning to a shorter work day I’d get a decent evening with them every day. But then by doing 4 days I’d get one extra full day just me and them to really enjoy with them; as well as weekends when I’m lucky my husband also doesn’t work so we can enjoy as a family.
I know its a long way off (I plan to take the full year’s maternity leave so I at least don’t have to leave them until after their first birthday) but I’m just curious what other people think is the better option and how other full time working Mums make it work?
Thank you