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How do you manage?

9 replies

Meanmum · 14/04/2003 17:15

It's really tough some days. I've had days when I've been in tears and unfortunately was actually crying on the phone to my boss who is the least sympathetic and caring man around one day.

I've been back at work for 11 months now and it has taken me this long to come to terms with things. I'm not offering you any good advice here I'm sorry.

I think it is hard enough to go back after having had a child as you feel out of it and that you have to catch up and it has to be how it was before you left. I don't think that is actually right but I think that is how we generally feel. I went back after 4 months and our company had merged, there was a team I had to work with which I had never had to do before, we were going through a redundancy scheme which I had to help implement, the lady who had covered for me whilst I was off had made detrimental comments about myself to my new boss who I had never worked with and who didn't know me (I found the emails when looking for something else). I was expected to still put in the long hours although had committments to pick my son up and so on. It is incredibly hard. I ended up having a couple of months of work with stress which is something you would find very surprising if you knew me.

What you need to do is have a good think about what it is you want. Decide what it is you want from your career and personal life and be happy with the decision you have made. Talk with your boss or if she/he is not a good person to talk with find someone in the business who is and who will listen to what you have to say. Make sure your boss doesn't feel like they have been cut out of the picture though as this may cause problems further down the track.

This is all very easy to say and when putting it in writing doesn't actually express what I really want to say. I do know how hard this time is for you and how much you will be struggling with everything. It is a struggle and don't forget that others are also going through that struggle with you.

I decided that I did want to work that I do want a career but that career won't be with the company I am currently with. I have also decided that the career I want will not interfere with my role as wife and mother and that whatever company I work for will have to understand that I have external committments. I am sick of feeling like I should be in the office until 8.00 each evening. I work hard in my time in the office, don't waste time on things that aren't my responsibility but always assist or put my hand up if I feel there is a need for something that no one else is doing. It's taken me a long time to realise all of the above and I went through a lot to actually understand this but I am now comfortable with the actions I have to take to achieve my goals. I want a career so I can provide for my family but I don't see why they should suffer in the course of achieving this. There are other women out there who think the same and over time the more of us there are the easier these changes in what is generally a male dominated world will become.

Keep your chin up. You will fall pregnant again. Rejoice in your child and your husband/partner and what you have at the moment. Remember the grass is always greener on the other side.

I'm so sorry I'm not really helping you. If you need a drink one evening and live somewhere in London then I am more than happy to catch up and help you drown your sorrows. I hope I'm not preaching to you as I don't mean to be I just wish I could help in some way.

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Meanmum · 14/04/2003 17:19

Flippa - sorry I completely went off on the wrong tangent there. I'm just about to head off and pick ds up so will log on later.

Is your dd(?) waking up in the night. For some reason I haven't really suffered with feeling tired when my ds does. I generally make dh get up once during the evening but this is more hassle than it is worth as it takes me 5 minutes to even wake him.

Does your partner/husband get up in the mornings on a weekend and give you time to sleep in? This doesn't work for me as I'm awake anyway and have to get up but it might for you. If I am really exhausted I get dh to take ds out for a few hours so I can't hear him and then I sleep like a dream.

I suggest you put some earplugs in during the week and make dh/dp get up. Tell him it is his responsibility and he will have to deal with the consequences as you need the sleep. Do it alternate evenings.

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Flippa · 14/04/2003 17:29

Meanmum
Thanks so much - its so good to have some sympathy when everyone around you just expects you to function as you did pre-baby. I had to have another cry when I read your posting. Have been to see the doctor at work today and she was worried about me too - being unnaturally tired. And no, its nothing to do with dd as she sleeps through the night and has done since 2 months old. Am not good at sleeping in at the weekends because I like to get up and spend the precious little time I have with her.
Must get my head down now as need to get home quickly. Have to take work back with me this evening unfortunately.
Although dh is very helpful, he also has a lot of work to do and has exams he has to prepare for. Its just all getting too much at the moment and was holding out hope that I would get pregnant and then reassess my career options.
Will try to cheer up for tomorrow. But would be good to meet up. Live in SW London by the way!

Flippa · 14/04/2003 17:29

Meanmum
Thanks so much - its so good to have some sympathy when everyone around you just expects you to function as you did pre-baby. I had to have another cry when I read your posting. Have been to see the doctor at work today and she was worried about me too - being unnaturally tired. And no, its nothing to do with dd as she sleeps through the night and has done since 2 months old. Am not good at sleeping in at the weekends because I like to get up and spend the precious little time I have with her.
Must get my head down now as need to get home quickly. Have to take work back with me this evening unfortunately.
Although dh is very helpful, he also has a lot of work to do and has exams he has to prepare for. Its just all getting too much at the moment and was holding out hope that I would get pregnant and then reassess my career options.
Will try to cheer up for tomorrow. But would be good to meet up. Live in SW London by the way!

Flippa · 14/04/2003 17:39

Meanmum
Thanks so much - its so good to have some sympathy when everyone around you just expects you to function as you did pre-baby. I had to have another cry when I read your posting. Have been to see the doctor at work today and she was worried about me too - being unnaturally tired. And no, its nothing to do with dd as she sleeps through the night and has done since 2 months old. Am not good at sleeping in at the weekends because I like to get up and spend the precious little time I have with her.
Must get my head down now as need to get home quickly. Have to take work back with me this evening unfortunately.
Although dh is very helpful, he also has a lot of work to do and has exams he has to prepare for. Its just all getting too much at the moment and was holding out hope that I would get pregnant and then reassess my career options.
Will try to cheer up for tomorrow. But would be good to meet up. Live in SW London by the way!

Meanmum · 15/04/2003 11:59

I'm in central London so easy to meet up. How about a drink once Easter calms down. Sad news you're not pregnant this month but don't give up hope. Whenever I find out I'm not I think it is because nature thinks I'm not ready to be just yet. Silly putting it down to something else rather than pure science but it works for me.

If your doctor is concerned about you then I am also concerned. Are you tired due to low iron count? Are you tired due to stress and staying awake at night thinking of all the things you should be doing or need to do?

If you want to be a stay at home mum rather than a worker can you not do this even though you have one child. For some reason friends I knew (pre husband and child days) told me that they felt once they had two children they could justify staying at home but felt they had to come back to work after one. I'm not sure why that is but it seems to be the way.

I hope you're feeling better today and not so tired. Go out and have a bit of retail therapy. Buy something for yourself though not your dd. I always shop for ds now rather than myself or dh and he has a wealth of clothes and toys that he just doesn't need.

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Flippa · 15/04/2003 13:47

Meanmum
A drink after Easter would be great. Feeling a bit better and a bit more on top of things today although still completely and utterly shattered. Was very upset about not being pg this month. Previous months have been ill over the relevant time, so was not too surprised but really went for it this month and thought we had a good chance. You are right to rationalise it all like you do, though.
Think I was a bit hormonal yesterday although still feel really trapped at work. Don't enjoy my job but have to work as earn a lot more than dh and have a large mortgage. Work wouldn't let me come back part-time which would have been the ideal situation. So lots to think and worry about at the moment which may be why I am so tired.
Looking forward to the long weekend and the two four day weeks. Need the rest and some time outside in the sunshine!

Meanmum · 15/04/2003 13:56

Let's set a date and time now for after Easter. Does a week day or weekend suit you? Do you want the kids to play together at the same time or just us over a glass of wine? I'm free any time you choose and am happy to come over your way if you prefer. If you want to meet in town how about somewhere in Soho or anywhere that sells cocktails.

I'm in the same situation where I earn more than dh and we have a huge mortgage too so no chance of me not working either.

My only advice at this time of the month is to eat loads of chocolate, let yourself feel miserable and worry about the weight later. Now that is definitely not good advice but boy does it make me feel better when I am down.

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Flippa · 15/04/2003 14:08

Probably good to meet up on a weekend as the evenings are really hectic with me dashing from work to the nursery and then driving home etc. I live in SW London - how about you?

Meanmum · 15/04/2003 14:14

Weekend it is. I'm based just near Paddington so I can easily get to you. Email me at [email protected] if you want and we can talk further. I'm off to a meeting shortly and probably won't get out until after 5.00 which means rushing off to pick up ds so will speak later tonight or tomorrow.

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