Mommies that work full time?

So I am already DREADING leaving my son and going back to work. I mean, I look forward to goiong back to work, but I am scared I will miss EVERTHING, the crawling, walking, talking.....how do you handle it, and do you feel that you still get daily quality time with your child?

I am hopful that maybe I can eventually work 1 or 2 days from home, but I doubt that will really happen.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

Going back to work was a good step for me. I had the same fears as you though. I'll admit, during the week is hard because I get home usually by 5:30 and spend every moment with him until he goes to bed (usually b/w 7:30 and 8:30). But in the time we need to do dinner, bath, book, bottle, etc.). Then I live the weekends for spending time with him. I got a cleaning lady to take care of that part. During the week while I'm bathing the baby DH is doing other chores like making bottles, etc. But weekends are sacred for us.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

Posted by lulugrrl

So I am already DREADING leaving my son and going back to work. I mean, I look forward to goiong back to work, but I am scared I will miss EVERTHING, the crawling, walking, talking.....how do you handle it, and do you feel that you still get daily quality time with your child?

I am hopful that maybe I can eventually work 1 or 2 days from home, but I doubt that will really happen.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

I changed my work schedule to be 7-3. That gives me lots of good time with him in the evenings.

And weekends are all about baby time.

As far as missing the "firsts" my daycare has strict instructions not to tell me anything new he did unless I've already told them that he can do it.

It's hard, but I think being a working mom makes me a better mom overall.

Hopefully it will be the same for you.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

Thanks all, I have until feb, and not full time until March. I am supposed to take a class too, but I just can't imagine being away from him one more minute than i have to. I had NO IDEA howmuch I would love this guy.

I would love for day care to not tell me of "first's" butit's my cousin and I am sure she will call me screaming....I'll be so sad to miss things. and I will be LIVING for the weekend and holidays...no doubt!

Re: Mommies that work full time?

I work 4 days a week, which is pretty much full time and in the end I felt a bit bad about dropping my son off at daycare, but I feel I am better eqiupped to spend better quality time AND ENJOY IT with my son because I can leave him during the week and go off to work. I had 13 months maternity leave, so I was there for all of the first, but to be honest, it will still be exciting even if you know that he can do those things.

Its all about finding the balance...

Re: Mommies that work full time?

Re: Mommies that work full time?

i just posted something similar before i saw your post...

i am having a tough time with this, and the thought of not being here if he starts crawling,talking,walking when i'm not here breaks my heart...

I want to see how other people have handled this....but i know how you feel

Re: Mommies that work full time?

I won't lie and say it's not hard, it is, particularly when they are young. But, by the same token, like Racheeee said, I find that, at least for myself, I'm a better mother when I have that time for myself with other adults, to feel like I'm making a contribution to the greater good, so to speak, so that when I come home and pick up Alex, my focus is entirely on her. The time we do spend before and after work and on the weekends, is quality time.

And, there are two other things that help - first, I absolutely adore that I'm providing a role model to my daughter, showing her that she can pursue her career dreams, and have a family at the same time.

Second, I just adore that she has formed long-lasting bonds with her teachers and her classmates. One teacher, Kathleen, was with her from the beginning. Kathleen left her school, but she still babysits for us, and everything Alex sees her, she screams Kathleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, and starts running towards her. It just warms my heart. That, and the close bond she has with all of her friends she's been in class with since she was 4 months old. Everyday she comes home talking about Avery, Ava, Iris and Joey, and has endless stories about what they did together (mind you, she's 2). There's really nothing like coming to pick up your daughter, and having a classroom of her friends scream "Alex's mommy!", run up to you, jump in your lap and gives you oodles of hugs and kisses.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

Posted by Bxgell2

I won't lie and say it's not hard, it is, particularly when they are young. But, by the same token, like Racheeee said, I find that, at least for myself, I'm a better mother when I have that time for myself with other adults, to feel like I'm making a contribution to the greater good, so to speak, so that when I come home and pick up Alex, my focus is entirely on her. The time we do spend before and after work and on the weekends, is quality time.

And, there are two other things that help - first, I absolutely adore that I'm providing a role model to my daughter, showing her that she can pursue her career dreams, and have a family at the same time.

Second, I just adore that she has formed long-lasting bonds with her teachers and her classmates. One teacher, Kathleen, was with her from the beginning. Kathleen left her school, but she still babysits for us, and everything Alex sees her, she screams Kathleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, and starts running towards her. It just warms my heart. That, and the close bond she has with all of her friends she's been in class with since she was 4 months old. Everyday she comes home talking about Avery, Ava, Iris and Joey, and has endless stories about what they did together (mind you, she's 2). There's really nothing like coming to pick up your daughter, and having a classroom of her friends scream "Alex's mommy!", run up to you, jump in your lap and gives you oodles of hugs and kisses.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

I was upset when I had to go back to work to but once I got here and got into the groove of things I find that I am much happier. I need time for myself. That is just my personality. I have time to go to the gym, go out with friends on occassion, get my nails done during lunch sometimes etc. It helps me b/c I feel that if i would have stayed home I would lose myself. I am more motivated now that I am back at work. The best part of my day though is when DS sees me come in the house and his face lights up and he just jumps and jumps and jumps b/c he is so happy to see me.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

I went back to work FT when my son was 11 weeks.
Its never easy, i take it one day at a time and enjoy every minute that i can with him.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

Re: Mommies that work full time?

It is sooo hard in the beginning but you fall into a routine and it does get much easier as time passes. Truthfully, I never missed any of his milestones. I mean when you see it will be the "first". I was always with him and helped him with his first step and crawl. It is not that bad. When I come home from work and on the weekends is it always about spending time with DS and nothing else. I have my nanny help out with light cleaning and laundry. I used to have a cleaning lady but didnt work out and now I only clean when DS is asleep. I try to not go out after work and go straight home to DS. I am not even going to my Company's holiday party because I rather see him have dinner with him, give him is bath and put him to bed than party with my coworkers whom I see all day.

Dont get me wrong it is so tough working FT, taking care of a family, having to leave your child but you will become accustom to it and it does get easier leaving them the older they get.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

Posted by Belladonna219

It is sooo hard in the beginning but you fall into a routine and it does get much easier as time passes. Truthfully, I never missed any of his milestones. I mean when you see it will be the "first". I was always with him and helped him with his first step and crawl. It is not that bad. When I come home from work and on the weekends is it always about spending time with DS and nothing else. I have my nanny help out with light cleaning and laundry. I used to have a cleaning lady but didnt work out and now I only clean when DS is asleep. I try to not go out after work and go straight home to DS. I am not even going to my Company's holiday party because I rather see him have dinner with him, give him is bath and put him to bed than party with my coworkers whom I see all day.

Dont get me wrong it is so tough working FT, taking care of a family, having to leave your child but you will become accustom to it and it does get easier leaving them the older they get.

Re: Mommies that work full time?

i agree, it is a hard balance but good. I thought I would get upset about missing the first whatever but I still get the same enjoyment when I see DD do something for me the first time.

It will get easier, especially if you find a daycare that your child likes and you like.