Back to work meeting - what to expect?

[MummyLikesPizza]

Hello ladies, I have my back to work meeting next week to discuss how it's all going to look like. I spent the past 11 months with my daughter and I'm incredibly sad that I have to leave her and go back to work but it is what it is.

I have about 40 days of holiday left so was going to ask if I could have one day off each week to use it up. Is there anything else worth asking that could make the adjustment easier?

I'm incredibly anxious and I know I'll be overloaded at work . DD is breastfed and eats very little solids so I dread how well she will cope.

I have so much sympathy with you. I go back to work in a few months and I was hoping to go down to part time for a year and then hopefully leave to do self-employed and/or part time home-based work.

However, it now looks like they want me to go back full time (just using holiday to go down to 4 days for a few months), and I'm so sad at the thought of leaving my dd at nursery so much straight away. Mine is also breastfed, although I don't know how she'll be with solids yet.

Could you possibly start back part time to ease you both into it, maybe four days with an extra day off each week as holiday? I would if I could. Or (if you can handle it) could you do fewer but longer days so your partner can look after your dd in the evenings while you work later?

I'm trying to think positively though. I think it will be good for her to be in a fun, active environment spending time with different people. Also, as much as I love being at home with her, work might actually be a welcome break once I get my head round everything. Then I might have more energy to play with her in the evenings.

The thought of leaving them with someone else for the first time is heartbreaking, but I really think it will get easier

One day a week holiday may be difficult operationally. You may be asked to take at least half before returning.

Whilst empowers must support bf women, you will find it much easier if the stop bf

Thank you ladies. The meeting went quite well I'll use up my holiday by having one day a week off, I'm also able to work from home one day a week and I asked for a pay rise which I'm also getting!

@EdininiaMonsoon my friend's son has just turned one and is thriving in the nursery and think it will be good for DD as she's not had any contact with other babies so far

I'll keep my fingers crossed all goes well for you and your DD

@RosesAndHellebores I think I'd find it more difficult to stop completely. I'll continue breastfeeding in the mornings and evenings until DD decides she doesn't want it anymore