Hello all. I have gone back to work 3 days a week after a 15 month absence for my first child (she was born when I was on assignment in Singapore, we moved back to London 8 months ago). My husband is looking after her for the days I work and he will work two long night shifts (TV broadcasting) a week.
I work in news and my shift times vary, from 6am until 11am. They are short, at 8 hours, but have a 45 minute commute either side.
The problem I've found is that my baby sleeps with us and spends much of the night attached to my boob. So when I have to get up really early it's been a bit horrid - her crying and then my husband not being able to settle her or do anything outside with her because it's crack o dawn.
He brings her to my work (SE London to Canary Wharf) each day I work so I can feed her (don't think she actually needs it for feeding purposes but I like to cut down the time I spend away from her) and all in all she's been great.
But I don't know how to manage the early morning upset. Husband has offered to drive me in, which might make her go off to sleep again. But I felt that was more distruptive than keeping her indoors.
ARGH. I knew the transition would be hard and I have ummed and ahhhed so long about going back (I could just, just, just afford to be able not to, but don't want to ditch a hard-to-enter career when I want another kid and to possibly move abroad again). But I didn't realise the nuts and bolts logistics would be so hard.