how many 'firsts' did you miss going back to work?

[crazycanuck]

hello everyone, I am new to mumsnet, just had my first ds this past March. I have to go back to work 3 days a week in July and am due to go back fulltime in August. I am debating the whole going back fulltime thing because I am terrified of missing so many of ds's 'firsts' ie first word, first step, iykwim! please tell me that any of you who went back to work still caught these wonderful moments, either in the evenings or on the weekend! just feeling really torn right now and full of apprehension!

you all are doing magic for putting my mind at ease! thank you sooo much!

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I was at work full time when DD was about 6 months old.
Bless her - she stood up for the first time when me and DH were in the room, also we were all in the bathroom together when she took her first steps. So I didn't think I missed anything.

What was wonderful one night at bedtime was singing twinkle twinkle little start with her, and realising that she was doing the actions, making the diamond shape with her fingers which she'd learnt at nursery. So some firsts may come because you aren't there - I had to go and learn the actions myself.

That's a really nice story, wysiwyg Now my two are older, I love it when I come home and they can't wait to show me what they have done during their day.

When they were little it was great to come home and have them shouting out very excited "Mummy's home!!" and leap around and cover you with kisses

Are you going to have to work very long hours? I was able to have breakfast with them every morning, and then be home for their bath every night, so I didn't really feel they missed out.

Thats a lot more time than my father ever spent with me and my brothers and sisters when I was their age, and we still all love him anyway.

That said we had a great nanny who arrived at 8.30 every morning, so it was low stress (high expense!). Now my dh is a SAHD so it's even less stress as I don't even have to wait for him to arrive in the morning!

Ive missed a few firsts but whenever the kids have done something new, rode their bike, swam a width, I would get a call from our nanny to tell me what was happening so I could talk to them and say well done, she did this off her own initiative and it always made me feel included and brightened up my day

For me working is a compromise between the need for money, the wish to be with the kids whilst maintaining my sanity. I can honestly say I have not missed any firsts - I work 3 days a week and do all the real mumsy stuff - putting to bed - getting up at night, playing and dealing with them when they are sick.

In any case my kids always seem to try the more "challenging stuff " out on me first - they are more angelic at Nursery.....

Good luck