How did you feel when DH went back to work?

Today was DH's first day back to work. Ryan will be 3 wks tomorrow so I'm grateful I had him around for as long as I did - but now it's a little sad to get used to life moving on - people go back to work (I'll have to one day soon), visits may stop, offers of help might slow down. I'm not ready yet! Ryan is being such a good boy today so I can't complain about not being able to handle him alone - but I feel like I have to force myself to socialize (either on here or a phone call or something) to make sure I don't fall into a black mommy hole!

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

My DH didn't take off at all. I liked it that way. I had a lot of family around which helped and I got out a lot. Don't worry. We are here 24/7

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

DH went back to work the day after I came home from the hospital. I had a c-section and was in for 4 nights, and he was there then, but he works for himself and well, no work=no pay. OK, so now that I've justified the situation ...

I felt alone, scared, isolated, jealous of his (and everyone else's) ability to go into the world, insecure of my appearance, panicky, upset when people would come over, upset when people would have to go home, hormonal, exhausted...shall I go on?

In all, I was glad when things went back to normal since I was feeling anthing BUT normal in the weeks following DDs birth.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

I was so sad when DH went back to work, I felt abandoned!
I had to do stuff to make sure I was being social too, but it gets easier with time.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

sad and anxious. he was off for 2 weeks post c-section

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

I had a rough time of it. When DD was 3 weeks old, DH went to sea for 4 weeks, so i was left home 24 hours a day with a baby that i didn't quite know what to do with. It wasn't much fun.
Definitely gets easier as time goes on.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

I felt like a deer in headlights when he went back. But it went smoothly.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

DH went back to work two days after we came home from the hospital...oh boy thats when reality hit HOME! Quite frankly, at the time, I did not even have time to even pee, but once things slowed down and life kind of evened out, I made sure I got out of the house, or people came over, or I talked on the phone.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

I can totally relate. Its scary and you get into such a routine with him you forget that there is a world out there. Just ease your way into it, and youll see you will start enjoying this new life. Get a little air when you can, it totally helps.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

DH went back to work the day after I came home. my mom came the next day and then I was on my own after that. I actually liked it that way. I was on my own schedule. My DS was really good so I was lucky. He slept alot. If I had a colicky baby i would have died.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

My Dh was off for 5 weeks with me. I was actually ready by that time for him to go back since I wanted to start getting into a routine with DS.

If he went back after 2 weeks or less, it would have been a lot more difficult, since I was recovering from a c-sections and he was a HUGE help. We didn't have anyone else coming over to help, so it was great to have him around for as long as I did.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

Thanks all for the feedback. I really think today went well but I do need to force myself out of the house for a walk or I'll go nuts - it's so easy to stay by the computer and TV!

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

honestly, i was a depressed mess! he also took 3+ weeks off and i was so scared and alone at first. i dreaded it for so long i was crying all the time. BUT i quickly got used to it being just me and ds and i've enjoyed evey second with him.

it'll get easier!

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

my DH was off for 5 days after my DD was born. i actually liked him going back to work so soon. my DH had a hard time adjusting to the fact that the majority of my attention went to my DD then to him (like in the past). it was easier to run things and take care of my DD when he wasnt home. same applies for today (2.5 months later). i feel more anxiety and stress when he is home. *sometimes* i feel like a single parent that needs help but i know i have my parents there to help me out (and they dont stress me out at all).

things will settle down, just give it some time. and you always have this forum to help you along the way. congrats on the new baby btw.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

mine had 3 days off, I loved seeing him go to work. He was a freaking handful for the first 7 months.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

I think everyone goes through this.
I was actually happy when I learned to enjoy my alone time with DS. we would wake up and go to Starbucks..I would read and he would coo...we had very nice days.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

DH went back when Cailen was 2-3 days old. I was overwhelmed because I was still in pain from my c/s and Cailen never slept. The house never had food in it, so I was always hungry, tired, and irritable. DH didn't come home until 8:00-9:00 at night, so they were long days.

It was hard.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

My DH was home for 5 weeks when DD was born. I relied on him a lot during that time and when he went back to work, I was overwhelmed! It took a while but once I got into a routine it did get better. I'm here to help if you need it.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

oh my! I cried as though he was going off to war! I cried for days, and nights. Really! For days. I didn't want to be left alone

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

I was nervous but it was fine. I was concerned that I wouldn't know what to do with DD. Everything just fell into place after a couple of days though.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

Hi SweetCaroline! Its great to see familiar names from the pregnancy board over here.

My DH ended up taking a little more than a week off because I panicked at the thought of being alone with DS. But for the last two weeks its been just us. DS is now three weeks and one day old and it is still hard to be by myself during the day. DH leaves for work at 8 and comes back home between 6:30 and 7. Its a long time to be by myself with DS, I do great until mid afternoon and then I just feel so drained. I'm trying to set up people to come by in the afternoon (My mom and MIL) just to hold him for a few minutes and give me a break. Right now its still very hard, but I'm hoping when he's on more of a schedule life will get easier.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

He was off close to two weeks. He got one week paid, and took a second week vacation.

I was sad to see him go back, and i know he felt terrible about not seeing DS for long chunks of the day. But my parents were still with us, so being alone with DS didn't hit me until they went home, about a week laterI was really depressed then, but it got better.

It is spring now, so I strongly suggest getting out each day and going for walks. Even if you don't want to take the baby to crowded stores cause of germs, go for a walk. It will do both of you so much good.

Re: How did you feel when DH went back to work?

You mean, how did I feel when DH told me he wasn't taking off from work at all?! He took off like 1/2 a day and that was it!

You'll get used to it. You will fall into a schedule and once you do you'll be able to find time to socialize again. I really didn't feel "sane" with fitting in making dinner, cleaning, socializing, etc for at least 2 months. I BFed for 3 months so after that it got MUCH easier. And once DS starting eating every 4 hrs instead of 2 or 3, this baby stuff became easy for me. It will get better