I have somehow just agreed to return to work.

[BibiThree]

How did that happen? Oh yes, we faced financial ruin. Boooooooo! I really don't want to go back, eveen for 3 days a week.

Will I be okay int eh world of grown ups and conversatinos?

I don't want to go back either. I love being a mum it has been the best year of my life my conversations with my daugher are much more grown up than the ones I have to face at work lol. How old will your little one be when you go back?

My twins will be a year old when I go back - thankfully I'm taking the full year, I only took 6 months with my eldest dd which was no where near enough.

Why don't they pay mothers that £30k they estimated we'd cost if we "worked"

You'll be fine in the world of grown ups - and probably grateful for the coffee breaks! A year is a long time to have had off, which is probably why you're feeling anxious - my eldest dd was 3 months when i returned 3 days a week - maternity leave is incredibly generous compared to a few years ago!!
£30 k is a nice idea .... but as someone pointed out on a similar thread, you'd have to pay yourself!! The costs used to make that estimate (eg childcare,cleaner, driver etc) are all things which parents either pay for themselves or do without.

Wow twins and a toddler v impressed. I'm taking a year off too but I cry when I take the cats to the catery how the hell am I going to leave her a nursery? dd is 6 months and I have never been apart from her yet.

One small consolation is that dts will be going to the same nursery dd went to, which she hated at first, screamed and cried and clung onto me for dear life when I left her. The staff there were brilliant, put such a massive effort into settling her, she absolutely loved it once she settled, so they'll be in good hands.

Good point about having to pay yourself!

maternity leave is much more generous nowadays, but I'm wondering if it's as good as I thought, a year is a long time to be off work.