Support thread for those us us returnting to work in the New Year......

[LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta]

Hello All

Thought it would be a good idea to get a thread going where we can all share our thoughts, fears and check we've got everything covered for next week and beyond!!!!

When do I return to work - mon 5th Jan
DC? - 9 mth DD
How long have I been off- left work in feb last year so almost a year off, where has it gone??????
Childcare - mum is having her
hours - Full Time
Thoughts about going back - If I think about work alone, am excited and bring it on! If I think about PFB I don't want anyone spending all day with her every week but me not even my mum

Ok so what have I got done, house full deep clean, work clothes (bought not yet tried on) and shoes,

What have I got to do? haircut, buy all stuff needed for mums house,

What else do I need to do???

when do I return to work - 2nd Feb (is it ok to join this thread?)

DC? 6 month DS

How long have I been off for - 6 months

hours? Mon.Wed.Fri 9-5 (with commute 7-7)

Thoughts about going back to work - Exactly what LBAMKS says, I want to go back to work but I feel so guilty leaving DS in childcare even tho I know I can't do one without the other

What do I need to do - erm hire a cleaner. Try and lose some poundage so I can fit back into work gear. Remember how I do what I do for a living.

I thought I saw a thread around here with tips on how to make the transition to childcare more easy for the child but I can't find it, might be helpful for people on this thread.

Great idea for a thread, just what I need.

When do I return to work - Mon 5th Jan

DC - Dd1 (11), Dd2 (9), Ds (6)

How long have I been off work - Hmm well have mainly been a sahm for the last 11 years, with a few part time jobs in between, the last one being 3 years ago.

Childcare - Mainly done by my mum with xp as back up if really needed.

Hours - 22 1/2 (3 shifts a week)

Thoughts about going back - Terrified should cover this question

What have i got to do - Haircut, shoe shopping, buy food storage for kids lunch boxes, catch up with washing, tidy up, everything really.

Hi Libra of course you can join!!! Losing weight rings a bell hoping it will start to drop off when i go back - its the reason for buying new clothes.

IllegallyB - don't talk about washing I've the biggest pile ever.

I've had some bad news........my hairdresser has chagened her number and I can't get hold of her. Damn got to find a new one!!!!

I don't even know where I am going to have mine cut, as I don't have a regular hairdresser.

I am just stressing lots about it all today, especially which shifts i am doing and when.

This one was great she only charged a tenner but was trained and worked for a big know hairdressing chain and set up on her own, gutted is not the word!

Didn't actually get all of my cleaning done yesterday DH came home early and MADE me go out and buy a new sofa with him

Hi,

I'm going back on the 14th January, I've been ff for over a year (very lucky I know) and my ds will be just shy of thirteen months old. I have a lovely childminder lined up and we're doing settling in sessions next week. I'm only going back three days but feel sick sick sick!!! On the other hand I think it will be good for both of us in the long run, and def for my relationship as DH works from home and will love the three days peace and quiet (well one day and two half days as he is having ds two afternoons).

I haven't even thought about cleaning, bugger, I'm clearly a slattern of a housekeeper! I am arranging a cleaner for two hours a week though, my mate whose skint is going to do it for the first three months to ease the transition, bless her heart and at mate's rates too.

I also need a haircut (last one I did myself [hmmm])

I didn't realise that getting a haircut was such an integral part of going back to work!!
*goes to book appointment.

Buying a sofa sounds much more fun than cleaning, however if I mention that to my DH he may have me committed, we bought 2 new sofas 1 month before the baby arrived and one is in a cream colour

The haircut is a very significant act somehow!

I am cheating slightly to be on here as I went back in August (FT, DD was 8mths), but I am feeling sick and upset all over again thinking about going back after my lovely 2wk break, it feels like the 1st time all over again!

For those of you going back for the 1st time - it IS possible, I know I felt I just couldn't physically do it on my 1st day! But it is also hard, I miss DD so much. Emskaboo I think you will enjoy doing 3 days, it is what I am aiming for, after a few months of doing 5 days the balance feels all wrong. . BUT I enjoy some aspects of being back, 3 days would be ideal, good luck!!

Hi!

When do I return to work - mon 2nd Feb
DC? - 6.5 month DS but will be 7.5 months when I go back
How long have I been off- Since April 2008 as I was ill with my preggo and had to quit early.

Childcare - F/T nursery although he has been going for 2 half days a week for a couple of months and likes it

hours - Full Time

Thoughts about going back - I am excited about it but also petrified I won't remember how to do it! I am a PA but a lot can change in a year in such a big company. I wanted to go part time but they are not creating any part time jobs and not taking on any more staff due to the credit crunch so it was full time or no time. My DS has just developed seperation anxiety so I feel awful. A couple of people on my Ante Natal thread have also made me feel bad about going back full time.

Ok so what have I got done - have not even thought about it!
What have I got to do? I need to buy new clothes that fit me two stones heavier

Count yourselves lucky ladies, i only get 18 weeks or nearly 4 months with special unpaid leave and go back mid march 09. I am looking forward to going back but a bit apprehensive about leaving her, oh oh and haven't sorted child care out yet... I hope i haven't left it too late.. Oh and i get no choice i have to go back full time or not at all. But i want to go back full time so don't feel bad. Oh i am in cyprus that is why i don't get a year.

Yes but to be fair the weather where you live is so much nicer than the UK.

When do I return to work - Mon 19th Jan (training day 5th)
DC? - 11.5 mth DD
How long have I been off- 13 months, finished Dec 07!
Childcare - MIL 1 day, nursery 2 days
hours - 3 days
Thoughts about going back - devastated. Will really miss sleepy mornings cuddled up and worried I'll hardly see her when I'm working.

Ok so what have I got done, House nice and tidy for the first time ever

What have I got to do? work clothes, nursery induction day, stuff sorted for MIL

Welcome to everyone!!!!!!!!

Amberc - can't believe that, well actually I can, I posted to ask for advice on difference in opinon between return to work mums and their mums who were looking after DCs and got told I was being unfair to my mum in making her look after DD and that she wouldn't be able to cope ?!?!?!?

Being a working mum is a very emotive subject and people have strong feelings about it. Sometimes asking for advice on MN can be like asking to have your throat cut! One of the people who made a comment has actually just apologised saying they were having a hard time.

I'm just a bit surprised that people are still so outraged about it. With things going the way they are there might be a few of the SAHM that end up going back to work.

Oooooh - I'm going to lurk on this thread and see how you all do if that's ok?

I'm pg with 1st DC at the moment (due in April next year and working full-time until 3 weeks before due date) and will be going back to work 3 days a week Jan 2010 - much to the disgust of parents and in-laws.

Already feeling guilty, although I have no choice financially, and I love my job, and it's only 3 days, and will be good for DC to hang out with other babies etc...

Anyway, enough hijacking - I don't belong on this thread but will lurk with interest! Good luck x x x

don't worry bicnod luckers allowed as long as they're nice LOL

Fab idea for a thread - I cam on here looking for such a thread!!

When do I return to work - Tuesday 6th Jan

DC? - 9 year old DD, 7 year old DD, 5 year old DS, 3 year old DS

How long have I been off?
9 years
Childcare - nursery, school, and Au Pair
hours - P/T 3 days
Thoughts about going back - Very happy to be going back, excited, anxious that I blagged A LOT in my interview, and worried in case Au Pair does not return from Xmas hols!!!!

Ok so what have I got done, house full deep clean, Xmas de-clutter done, work clothes - bought in the sales, lap top bought.

What have I got to do? Haircut and colour, buy work shoes or boots, sort out kids school bags for next week, car runs for next month, giant food shop.

Good luck to all!!!

What else do I need to do???

Can I join you too

Going back 2nd feb
DC - DS 7 months
Hours - Full time coz they were unable to find anyone to job share with me
Childcare - FT CM
How long have I been off - since may, but I only went back to work in Feb last year after having 6 months of due to a nervous breakdown
Thoughts - Nervous, new manager who I have had fallings out with before,

Things I have to do - too much to even list here

Hiya, room for a little one?

Going back 5th Jan (monday, not even a week away

DC - DS nearly a year

Hours - part-time at 3 days a week (8-6/6.30pm) but my contract runs out in early 2010 so will need to jobhunt too and I've got two huge exams to get done before then

Childcare - nursery 7.30-6.30pm 3 days a week alternating pickups with DH who also finishes late)

How long have I been off? - one year

Thoughts - better about DS since he LOVED his two days of nursery last week but still worried as he hasn't been there all day yet. Very worried about getting back into the swing of things and the work/family balance. Faintly homocidal thoughts towards anyone who makes me feel more guilty than I already do for leaving him for such long days - I've fully researched my options and this is the best one for both of us.

Things I have done - Had full on strop on MN at thought of going back (see my other thread ) nursery settle in sessions, haircut, new work clothes, got my work bag ready and got some new equipment, started revising for the first exam which is now apparently 28 days away

Things I have to do - label nursery clothes, shorten trousers, pray that the tops I ordered in the sale a)turn up on time b) fit c) hide some of my post baby tummy

ps. lol at 'haircut as significant act' I got mine done last week although noone at work will see it as I wear a headscarf! just had to do it before I went back and feel so much better now!

I started back full time on the 17th Nov.
DD is 14 and DS is 9.
I worked full time until 5 days before I had dd. (she was 17 days early) that company went bust whilst I was on maternity leave. So I went back to work part time when dd was 11 months old ... and went full time 6 weeks ago.
I work in a small enviroment, and one lady is oh so nice But, balls too her, I go to work for money for my kids, if I make a friend, then its a bonus.
Bloody Hell, I never thought about getting my hair cut.

I have had to change my working hours from 9-5.30 to 9-5 with 30 mins less for lunch so I can pick up the baby from Nursery. This is for a trial period of three months at which point the person i work for (the boss I used to have a great relationship with before I went on M Leave) can decide it's not working and they can get rid of me. It's mad what I'm coming back to but they are all credit crunched up too and are trying to make cut backs. I worry that i may be cut back and that magically after they have fulfilled their obligations at the three month trial I will find out it hasn't worked. I may be wrong but it seems odd that for the sake of 30 minutes I need to go back on trial...

AmberC I didn't know they could get rid of you, surely they would have to offer your old hours back to you first. I would post about that on the employment board.