Feelings about going back to work...

I'm going back to work on Monday. My DD will be 14 weeks old that day. I'm starting to feel so sad about going back.

We have hired a Nanny who we like very much. I also have two stepdaughters aged 8 and 10 who are with us every day and definitely can verbalize how things are going with the Nanny, so it's not really that. I've just really adjusted to being home with her and love her so much.

I never thought I'd feel this way. I went to school for 7 years for my career and I am very happy doing what I do. For the first 4-6 weeks of my maternity leave (when DD was sleeping pretty much all day) I really missed work. I even ended up doing some work from home. But now that she is awake, has a schedule and is more interactive, I can't believe I have to leave her.

I do have to go back though. Does it get better? Would love to hear some advice/words of encouragement.

Re: Feelings about going back to work...

i dont really have any advice. it is really tough in the beginning - i went back when DD was 12 weeks. It is an adjustment and it will get easier as the days go on. have the nanny send you a picture during the day just so you can see dd's smile.
i still count down til i can leave work each day and see DDs face - but coming to work is easier now. i know its something that needs to be done. i just make sure to spend as much time with her as possible on the weekends...ill either had DH run errands so i can play with her, or run errands while she naps so i dont miss out on my dd time.

it will get easier once you get back into the routine
good luck

Feelings about going back to work...

It is really hard at first. But it really does get better. I still miss my dd every day and some days are harder than others. But when I get sad, I think about the positives to working. For me personally, I enjoy taking an hour lunch break to myself...or with coworkers. Or just simple things like going to the drug store alone without having to schlep dd in a stroller.

I just think about it like this - I HAVE to work...I have no choices in the matter right now - so I might as well make the best of it because it makes no sense to be miserable about it.

I also think that knowing she's in good care and happy will help make the transition a little better. Good luck!!!

Re: Feelings about going back to work...

I was home with my daughter for 11 months when I had to go back to work and I had a really, really hard time. I loved my job but I love dd more! Just know that it does get easier with time.

Re: Feelings about going back to work...

I am going back to work in September. My DD will be 7 months. I really can't even think about it. We have our own routines and have spent so much time together I can't even imagine what it will be like being away for her for so many hours. She has been such a good baby from the day we briught her home, she made the mommy thing so easy for me. I know the days will go so slow. I am lucky in the sense that my mom will be watching her (and my DH when he is off) so I know she will be in good hands. But I just want to be the one with her. I know eventually we will all get into a routine, but it really sAddens my to think about it.

Feelings about going back to work...

I'm going back next week after only 8 weeks. I was taken out of work early for complications at the end of my pregnancy so I used 4 weeks of my 12 weeks! I cry even thinking about it but i know me working benefits dd in the end! My hubby works nights and my mother will be with her when dh goes to sleep before work. I just know I'm gonna miss her so much but all my working mom friends promise me it gets easier! I also spent 6 years in school for my career and struggled with deciding if i should stay home. I realized me working is better for everyone and I will see dd in the afteenoons, evenings and weekends! :)

Feelings about going back to work...

I was home for 8 weeks and was running out the door my first day back but DS was colicy and I needed a break from the crying.

I find it hard now that he is older and jsut so much fun!!!!!

I love my job and always knew I wanted to work so that helps me. It also helps that I love DS's daycare. He is there 3 days and with family 2 days. I try and take some random days to stay home and hang out with him but I also make the most of my weekends.

You will have good and bad days. I felt that pictures helped. Both family and daycare take a tone of pics and either post or send them to me.

Re: Feelings about going back to work...

My DD is 7.5 months. Here's my experience: Shortly after I got home from the hospital, I felt anxious to get back to work. I didn't feel like myself at all in this new world where I was constantly clueless and sleep-derived and walking around the house with a screaming newborn not knowing what to do. I wanted to reclaim a piece of my old life and I felt horribly guilty for that. Fast forward a bit into my maternity leave (I took five months) and I started to become a wreck about going back. DD's behavior became more predictable and I became better at knowing how to respond to her. I didn't want to leave her for even a minute and I started to get really sad and worried when I thought about going back to work. I seriously thought about quitting.

I promised myself I wouldn't make any big decisions about work until after I was back for two months because I didn't want to make a life-changing decision based off emotion. I loved my career pre-baby and I didn't want to do anything I'd regret.

It was hard in the beginning. I was consumed with guilt at all times. But now that I've been back for a little over two months, I'm really happy. I have been able to create a nice little balance, I work from home one day a week and I try to get home by 5pm the other days.

I truly feel like I'm being the best mom I can be for my DD. I want her to see that mommy is strong, she works hard and has a career. I want to be able to afford to give her as good a life as we can. And as much as I love spending time with her, I'm a much better mom when I get a little time away to focus on non-baby things.

Message edited 6/28/2013 12:57:23 PM.

Re: Feelings about going back to work...

Re: Feelings about going back to work...

I went back to work with DS when he was 12 weeks old. LIttle did i know i would get a break 2 weeks later due to hurricane sandy. It wasvery tough. I was not thrilled with his day care, but figured it was me being a wreck with returning to work. I have to work as well, and i have come to a happy place with it. I am able to afford things for my family that i wouldnt be able to otherwise- house, food on the table, good health benefits. My ds loves his new daycare ( we switched after 3 months). he is so advanced and loves going. I have my days that I am happy to be back to me, but there are still days where i cry when i leave him. I keep his photo on my computer and for really bad days ill take breaks and watch pics and videos of him. I know he is safe and i know he is loved at daycare. It does get better!! i promise> i was so in your shoes.. It was also nice to be able to come on here and vent on bad days..