Going back to work 3 days with a 5 month old ?? Is it doable

[Zachsmam2022]

So I’m currently on maternity leave and I’ve got until the end of June which is when my statutory mat leave ends however I’ve never not worked and I’m loosing my mind doing the same thing every day. My partner has a good job and we have money left over each month and he’s fine with me being off until June however I’ve started to look for part time jobs but I’m terrified if I go back to work too soon ill regret it! Help

5 months is a bit early. Summer's coming but as it's 3 days you'll get the best of both worlds. It's doable of course.

I went back full time after 5 months both times - was absolutely ready to, and definitely the right thing for our family, but it was a case of handing over to DH who was then on shared parental leave for a further 5 months, and because my office hadn't opened up again post pandemic either time I was WFH so could still see the baby lots during the day. I'm not sure I'd necessarily have felt the same if the baby had been going into nursery instead at that point.

What would be your childcare plans? Would you stick at 3 days a week work thereafter or go up to full time once maternity pay was over? Is it possible for your partner to take SPL for a bit? Would mean your stat pay ending sooner (unless they took it unpaid) but may help you feel a bit more comfortable about leaving the baby if you do feel that's what you'd like to do