Is anyone else struggling?

[squiddybear]

Hi all, is anyone else struggling with the return to the office full time?
For the last 18 months I have been at home pretty much full time with a maximum of 2 days in the office. Since July we have been back full time and I'm really struggling....

Mainly it is because by the time I get home I only see DS for 20 mins before he goes to bed and in the morning, if he's awake I may see him for an extra 5 mins.

It is a continuous rut of get up, go to work, come hone, 20 min play with DS, Cook dinner, go to bed and repeat.

I know for some return to the office was craved however is there anyone like me out there who is struggling to the point where I would quite happily give up? I hate it and it is no quality of life for me!

For context I have an hours commute each way so a 2 hour chunk of my day then obviously an hours lunch break which I used to spend time with DS etc.

I'm tired, worn out and fed up!

Hopeful rebump now DS is asleep!

How many weeks have you been back?

If you think about how it can be returning after a few weeks holiday ... or that if you'd been on sick leave for 3 or 4 months that you'd often need a 6 week phased return to adjust.

18 months is a long time, so I'm not surprised you're still tired and struggling to adjust.

If even then it just doesn't work for you anymore, could you put in a flexible working request rather going straight to giving up altogether?

Going back 1 day a week at the mo with a 1.5 hour commute each way.
Then I plan to increase it to 2 days.
Then we have to do 3 days going forward permanently (hybrid) which I am dreading.
I don't see the point... 18 months is a long time to be working OK at home!