Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

DD is 2.5 months, I go back 1/4, she will be 3.5 months old. DH and I have diff. work hours so he will be watching her every morning before work and on Tue and Wed (his days off). Hours in between our jobs our friend will watch her...i work m-f 830-430 and i feel so guilty and sad leaving her....

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

You have it better than a lot of people. Although I know that its difficult. I had to leave my DS when he was 8 weeks and it broke my heart. I can't believe that I'm saying this but it does get easier. I actually didn't cry this morning although I did cry last night. At least your DH will be with her in the mornings and 2 days a week, plus i imagine you'll be there on the weekends so in actuality, she'll only be with someone else only a part of 3 days per week. Knowing she's with your DH will make it easier bc at least she's with one of her parents. My DS is with my mom and dad and while I'm thankful and can't imagine leaving him in daycare, its still quite difficult.

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

i know how ur feeling - im having the same issues. ds turned 2 months old last week and i go back to work 1/7 so he will be the same age as ur dd when i go back to work.
I work 1 day a week and im having such a hard time leaving him in daycare for that day.
it will be ok! (i keep telling myself that!)

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

Yes you are both right, I know it will be ok, like once I get into the routine of going to work, coming home, etc...it will be good but I have alot of anxiety about the anticipation of leaving her. I am very happy she will be with my DH and I will be with her every night and on the weekends...but for some stupid reason I think that she is going to think I abandoned her b/c I have been with her every day since she is born.....do you think she will think that??

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

I think that has been the hardest part for me, wondering if my DS will think I abanodoned him (and honestly, personally, feeling like i have). He's with his grandparents who he saw a lot before i went back to work but still. Everytime he cries when i go pick him up after work i wonder if he's mad at me (even though he usually cries after a feeding). I won't lie, its really hard, but i think its hard for the moms, not as much for baby. But still, I wonder. No real answer. I'm in psychology and a senior psychologist tried to reassure me by telling me that babies really have no memory before age 3 so he won't even remember that i "left" him to go to work but, i'm sure he knows it now. But your case is different, he'll be with your DH so he'll feel it less.

But all this is why I've made the decision not to work full time next year (sept). I can't get out of my current contract or i would, but i've decided not to take the next big step in my career so that i can me home with my child, even though he'll be 1 year old by that time.

DOn't think about it too much now, just enjoy your time together.

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

I just went through this and I am not going to lie, it was tough...I am on day 5 of being at work and today is the first day I didn't cry. It's hard and you go through all those guilty feelings and sadness. I still ache to see her throughout the day but they say it gets better. All I can say is I know your pain!

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

enjoy it babe. i thought i had a month left and apparently i was told i have to go back in 2 weeks or i lose my health insurance. so im totally depressed!

ETA: Ian will only be 9 weeks when i go back.

Message edited 12/7/2009 5:04:45 PM.

Re: Feeling guilty b/c I have to go back to work in 1 month......

Hi Mia and Diana....thanks for your advice..

Diana - I am so sorry and I know that feeling....had to pay a little bit toward my health ins. for rest of Dec. and would have to pay alot for January insurance if I was not going back on the 4th, that is a big reason why I am. Enjoy your time home...

I guess when we have our vacations and days off from work, we will just have to cherish them even more!!