Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

Do you think absence makes the heart grow fonder even when dealing with your children.

Today I had a closing and then ran a couple of errands. I was gone for about 3 hours -- no biggie. The second I walked in the door though I was on the floor playing with him, kissing him, and just having the best time. It made me think that maybe I would be a better mom to him if I did have some away time. Not that I don't do those things on a day to day basis - but I do feel that I sometimes take it for granted since I am home with him all the time.

DH and I go out alot at night when he is sleeping, or I will show houses at night (again, he is sleeping) but I am rarely away from him during his awake hours. Just made me think that maybe I would do better by him if I did take some time for myself every now and then.

Do you find this to be true - or am I nuts?

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I agree with you. Their have been times I thought about going back to work but daycare for 2 now would be a lot of money and I don't think worth it. I wish I had the opportunity to miss them more but I don't.

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I find it to be true! I work evenings since Summer began, but I worked all day today. When I got home Emma ran up to me, was all smiles with a great big kiss and we had such a good time with all of us playing outside together. I think when you have "limited" time with your children, you tend to make it quality time.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

Your nuts but not because of this...

Seriously, I agree with you. I went to N.J. last week & was gone from Frankie for hours. When I got home all I wanted to do was play with him. I only had 1 hour til his bedtime. I was more productive in that hour than prob the entire year I was with him

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I definitely find that to be true-I worked late today and DH picked DD up from daycare -Hailey and I had the best time when I got home

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

Yes. I think so.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I totally belive thats true.

Of course its just simple missing them.

Everyone I know who is a working mom says they feel they appreciate their Time with their children more and some say they feel MUCH less stressed because of it.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I hope its true!
i go back to work real soon and lately DD has been giving me a run for my money! i do find that when i am away from her for a few hours i am excited to see her again. when i am with her all day every day i don't feel that exact thing. i hope that i will be more patient with her when i know i have been away from her during the day!

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

In my situation, I find it to be true. I think everyone's situation is different. I'm a teacher, so during the schoolyear, I suddenly get this burst of energy at 3:30 when I see her. Now that I'm home during the summer, you develop that routine. Sometimes it can get monotonous and you need to change it up. I find that I have less energy being home all day long, especially on those rainy days. I do think it is healthy to get out once in a while. However, if I could be a SAHM, I would love it too.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I DEF find this to be true!

I treasure the time i have with my DS during the week. I guess because it is much more limited. And it always goes by so much faster

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

Honestly, I love working PT. I feel I have the best of both World. I personally felt I was missing on too much when I worked FT and it did not work for us. Now, I can still work, I am with grown-ups, bringing some $$$. I love coming home and DS realizes I was not there and he is so happy to see me.

I feel I am "happier" after I take a break from caring for him. Sometimes it's just a routine. So the break brings back some "fresh air" into our routine.

Message edited 7/17/2008 9:23:00 AM.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

yes yes yes yes!!!!

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

Personally - I do not think that you would be a better mom...you're a wonderful mom as is!

But...I find that for me...being away from Lucas puts a different perspective on things when we are together.

When I am home with him I tend to try to get things done - laundry cleaning etc - no matter how many times I say I won't do it I do. But when I work or go out and then come home to him...it's all about him. Must be the guilt that makes me work that way...I don't know. But overall - no matter what the situation - I am always the same mom. KWIM?

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I definitely thinks that is true. Whenever I go out somewhere without Rylan I can't stop holding...hugging and kissing him when i get home.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

Posted by Ang-Rich

Personally - I do not think that you would be a better mom...you're a wonderful mom as is!

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I totally think things are great with my DS because I work, when I am with him I am 100% focused on him...however, I would kill to be home with him more. I think a part time job is IDEAL!

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I loved working and yes, I totally felt I had more of a balance to my life but...I don't think the quality of my interaction with DD was better while I was working. In fact, I would come home from a long day and the last thing I wanted to do was to play with her. I guess that makes me sound pretty horrible! I find myself doing a ton more things with her now that I'm home.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

You know what it is - I guess because we do things all day long that I feel it's not as much quality - where as last night I had about an hour before I put him to bed so we crammed it all in.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I know what you mean...I had jury duty and was gone all day, when I got home it was such a great reunion!!!

then 2 minutes later reality slapped me in the face. It was already 6, dinner wasn't made yet, bath time would be pushed back, had to go to the store for milk, I was tired and hungry and Josh wanted to go out and play.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I totally agree with you. When I get to daycare to pick him up at the end of the day he has the biggest smile on his face and runs over to me. It is so special to me. When I am with him all day I have to get things done around taking care of him as well. I think we both miss each other very much during the week while we are working. Absence does make the heart grow fonder in my honest opinion.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

I agree, I went back to work at 12 weeks f/t. Luckily my job is flexible and get to participate in a lot of activities with my son during the day but I must say that absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder. When I come home I really want to cherish my time with my DS. And don't care if I have to tote him around when I have to run errands or take him to dinner with myself and DH. It is definitely not what I wanted (not being a SAHM) not I think I have made the best of it and have a tight bond with my DS.

Message edited 7/17/2008 10:28:20 AM.

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

There is some degree of truth to what you are saying. I find that after working full time I really enjoy the few hours I have with him in the morning and at night and I truly focus on him 100%

Re: Sort of a Spinoff to going back to work

definitely!! Some days I'm ready to pull my hair out when we're home all day together. I was meant to be a working mom (with summers off!)