Back at work, role is changing - career girl says 'YAY' but mum side says 'AARRGGH'

[manamana]

I'm back at work after mat leave for ds2. I love my job and both boys are very happy at nursery. BUT, juggling with 2 seems SO much harder than with 1 and ds1 is off to school next year so I imagine it will get harder. We have no family nearby but v v lucky that both sets of parents come down and help a lot. Am sat at my desk feeling very wobbly as have just been told by my boss that my role is changing - its a great opportunity and will be fantastic for me but I am worried that I am biting off more than I can chew! Will have to do some more travelling (maybe 4 overseas trips a year instead of 2) so more juggling as husband travels a lot. Just feel like crying at the moment so any positive stories from expert jugglers out there much appreciated.

Plus points - I only work 4 days, one of which is from home. Company v flexible about start/finish times so I always do breakfast and bedtime at very least.

Please - no harsh words from people who think best place for baby is at home with mum, I know for some people that is true but I coped v badly being sahm during both periods of maternity leave.

The main thing we have found with travel is that we run a very strict diary policy - you never accept anything that means you won't be around at drop off/pick up time without cross checking. Once its written in diaries, it is law. Long trips overseas are booked in as early as possible -so, for instance, I have all of next years major conferences already pencilled in, even though I don't know which I'll be going to.

Fantastic news for you on the job front - and I can't be judgey pants as I've worked FT since DS was 4.5 months old, and travelled a lot since he was 6 months.

thank you. unfortunately organisation is not my strong point! Really good to hear about other people who are happily managing it - I have 2 sets of antenatal group friends and no-one else has to travel with work so need mumsnet to tell me this is doable and worth it.

I know a few mums who travel, and it does work out - one has been travelling since her son was 2 and he's 14 now and she has an 8 and a 2 year old as well. Her husband works v long hours so she's had a au pair and now a nanny (she wanted a break from au pairs !) to give her flexible cover.

I'm not super organised by any means, but as we have no cover at all, we have to be firm on this one thing

I think being a travelling mum is the last frontier - we all rather like the guaranteed full nights sleep and being woken by the alarm clock. It does DH no end of good too