looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

my MIL is going away for the month of December and I am going to be home with Luce.

when I first realized I had enough time and I could take the month instead of finding alternate care, I was so so so exicted.

now I am starting to get really nervous about it.

lately if we've had an extra day off (like a 3 day weekend) he has been really sad when we (or I) leave for work the next work week.

I was off yesterday and this morning he was so sad he couldn't come with me. He's also a lot more clingy with me now.

I am really nervous that come January when I do go back to work he will be so confused and will not transition well back to "normal." and I think *I* am nervous about my transition back to normal.

yesterday we just had such a good time. we played. I cooked for our party on Saturday, I did 4 loads of laundry so now we can just enjoy the weekend. my house is clean. it was just...nice.

I am just nervous I guess that this blessing, of having this time together...could end up biting us both in the butt.

if you've been out on extended leave and have gone back to work, how difficult was it for your toddler (especially a toddler not in school)

TIA

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I dont have any advice but I feel for you its def hard

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Honestly, don't NOT do it because of a day or two of transition back to normal. . . that is just silly.

Take the time off, enjoy your not-so-baby boy and don't worry about going back until that first January morning when you have to do it.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Posted by GioiaMia

Honestly, don't NOT do it because of a day or two of transition back to normal. . . that is just silly.

Take the time off, enjoy your not-so-baby boy and don't worry about going back until that first January morning when you have to do it.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Kids are more resilient then we are. Sure there will be a few days after your time off for adjustment, but it's just a few days. I would gladly have DS upset about leaving for 3 or 4 days if it meant spending a month with him.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

It is def. going to be hard..it always is even come Monday after just a weekend together. However, I think you should def. without a doubt take that time off to be with your son. It will be sooo worth it! Think of all the things you guys will do together. This is just my opinion, but I would in a heartbeat.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I am dealing with this right now. Not looking forward to leaving my DD. I feel like it's harder now that she's a fun toddler than when she was smaller. But I wouldn't give up the time with her for anything.

I agree with this:

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I kept my ds home after I gave birth to my dd. I kept him home only for 2 weeks. It was a little tough for him to get back, after the first couple of days he was ok. The first couple of days are going to be tough! My ds went to daycare, so it was a little easier b/c the teachers were aware of what was going on and they helped him in the transition. Do you have a babysitter that maybe you can leave him with for a couple of hours towards the end of your time out? That way he can sort of make a transition. I would take the month off with him and just deal with the backlash! Best case scenario would be if you had someone that could watch him a couple of hours during the week so you could enjoy a couple of hours of time to yourself b/c I am sure you don't get much of that!

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by GioiaMia

Honestly, don't NOT do it because of a day or two of transition back to normal. . . that is just silly.

Take the time off, enjoy your not-so-baby boy and don't worry about going back until that first January morning when you have to do it.

I am a big chicken.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Posted by GioiaMia

Honestly, don't NOT do it because of a day or two of transition back to normal. . . that is just silly.

Take the time off, enjoy your not-so-baby boy and don't worry about going back until that first January morning when you have to do it.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I had 6.5 months off with my kids....they adjust and so will you when you go back to work! Luce is at a great age!!! Enjoy every minute with him!!!!

Message edited 10/7/2011 11:53:21 AM.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

definitely have some thoughts on this because I've been there more than once. My kids are 13 mths apart, so when I had my second, I took care of both of them, and had an extended leave (5.5 mths) for medical reasons. Was it hard to go back? Of course. My toddler was upset at me leaving. But she got used to it. She still gets upset at times. So do I. I think that's just the nature of being a working mom. Mondays are always rough. And tuesdays after a long weekend even worse. Fridays are also not great because they've been there all week and are ready for me. That extra time off was probably the greatest time of my life. There's no way I would give it up or cut it back to have a smoother transition.

Then, last year, I had spinal surgery and was out for another 3 months. At first I had a nanny because I was useless, but I was present for most of the day. They would lay on the couch with me. Watch tv with me, and just generally hang out with me, but the nanny did the labor part, and I could take naps whenever I needed. Then she left, and I had to put my kids in daycare part time. I wasnt well enough to watch them full time yet, otherwise I wouldve been back at work. Again, I cherish these months so much. Going back that time wasnt any more or less difficult for them. I think they still have good days and bad days. Some days they beg and plead for me not to go to work, or ask to come with me. Other days they say have fun at work mommy, see you tonight.

I say enjoy your time with your son and make lots of memories that you and he will hang on to.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Enjoy the time with your little boy! It will be okay...

I was home all summer with Loey and then had to go back to work in September. Also, I'm in a year-round school now so the vacations are extra long. I will be off for a month for Christmas break and another month in April.

YES, transitioning back is really hard, but it's SO WORTH IT! I can't tell you what great times we had over the summer. We really bonded even more and go to do some fun things that I have been wanting to do with him. The time is SOOOO worth the difficulty adjusting!!!

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I think it will definitely be hard to go back to work (my DH was just off for 17 days so I've kind of seen how it goes) but in the end it's a fact of life that you'll have to go back so why not enjoy a long, glorious month with your Luce. Your fear (or whatever you label the emotion) of what it will be like when the day to go back comes should not keep you from giving both yourself and your son the gift of so many days together. 24/7 x 4 will be amazing for you both. Don't underestimate Luce, he understands. That 1st day of course he'll be sad and so will you but he knows that mommy comes back at the end of the day and you'll fall into the routine again. Plus, when you go back it will be bc his grandma has returned so the novelty and joy of her being back will help with the transition of you going back to work.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I would start getting him back into the routine before you go back to work - 1/2 day, 2 1/2 days, 2 whole days.... then he's back up to speed.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

No advice... my knee jerk thought is CHERISH the month, and a week before you go back, start trying to prepare him for your going back by going out alone and leaving him with DH or a sitter so he get used to you leaving again.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Posted by GioiaMia

Honestly, don't NOT do it because of a day or two of transition back to normal. . . that is just silly.

Take the time off, enjoy your not-so-baby boy and don't worry about going back until that first January morning when you have to do it.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Take the time and enjoy your DS and dont worry about what will happen once you go back to work. Cherish this time now with your DC since we all know we can never get these years back.

Years from now I'm sure you will both look back on the memories of the time you spent together, and not how hard it was to transition back to your routine.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

Not the same but AJ is with my aunt all summer. Going back into routine is always a challange. Takes us about a month to get back into the groove. She would whine that she'd rather stay home, didnt want to go to school. Mama no work, Daddy stay. Etc.

I (as you know) don't have any other options so we just have to shoulder through it. For us, it does resolve itself in about a month.

Good Luck!

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

As you remember I just came back from a 5 week vacation in Europe.

I was with DD 24/7....it was the best time of my life since my maternity leave....Loved every minute of it...

We came back Tuesday and I went back to work the next day. She was fine!! Yes, she was with my 2 nieces (her cousins) which she adores but still...she is very attached to me (trust me when I say attached..lol) but I explained to her that morning that I had to go to work...you know what she said?

See you after work mommy!! haha

Enjoy your time with Luce! He will be fine!

Message edited 10/7/2011 2:46:26 PM.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I suppose I had a REALLY extended leave with DS. I was a SAHM until he was 2.5, then went back to work full time. He was in daycare and yes, it was hard for him at the start. But the situation is different, your MIL is a caregiver he knows and loves so there is less to adjust to really.

Do it, if he has a couple clingy days, you will still have so much time together which is priceless for both of you.

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I didn't read the replies....

If you have the time DO IT!

Will it be frustrating and will your heartbreak adjusting back to normal ? Perhaps.

Will you regret spending quality time with your 2 year old son for a month?

I sooooooooooo serioulsy doubt it. Do it and love him up every. single. day!

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...

I take the month of August off every year.(my dd's nursery school closes in August so I save my vacation for that specific time.) I love it! We go to the beach, the park, gardens, etc and I just enjoy it for the first 3 weeks or so. Then I slowly start to remind her that school is starting again soon and isn't it so exciting to see her friends again? I remind her more frequently as the back to school date approaches. The first day back is usually a little hard, but these little buggers are so resilient--they adapt to change (in my experience) pretty well.

Enjoy December off with your boy! What a wonderful month to be off! I'm so jealous!!

Re: looking for thoughts on this...if you're a working mom and have had an extended leave with your child (maybe for maternity leave or a really long vacation) or can offer any thoughts...