going back to work

mcvgal

I realize DS2 was one of the earlier July babies since he didn't want to wait and actually arrived in June. He is 11 weeks today and I go back to work next Wednesday. Anyone else going back soon? Or already back? What are your concerns?

My mom will be watching both boys and I am more concerned about DS1 acting up too much or giving her trouble.

hgtvmom

LO is 11 1/2 weeks old and I go back on the 29th. I'm incredibly sad that I can't hang with my girl all day. BUT, I look forward to having more of a routine and schedule. I feel like a blob sitting on my butt holding a little blob all day.

It takes so much effort to get the 20 miles in to town to do anything that I frequently don't do it during the day. Or, if I do, it's just to spend money. I feel like I am hemmorahing money.

So, routine will be good. But bad too.

jensavicci

I've been back. But, before going back, my concern was about MIL watching both LOs all day. She's retired and offered to watch DS2 during the day when he was newborn. When we had DS3, it was kind of weird for me because, I didn't want her to have to be home with my kids all day. But then SIL who works from home jumped in and offered to take turns with MIL. So, some days they're with MIL and some days their with SIL. I am so so grateful for them too because, either I or DW would be a SAHM for a while and we just can't afford to do that (especially with my own company) Aside from that, I was excited to get back. I love what I do. But, at the same time, I always beat myself up for being away from all my kids. I feel like I miss so many important things. Hopefully, with my new system I'm working on, I'll be able to work from home more often.

tourqeyes

I've been back since July 30th. I didn't have any major concerns and things are going well. Hope they do for you also!

bluejeanbaby1217

I go back this Saturday. I work 12 hour night shifts so I'm mostly just concerned for DH taking care of all the bedtime stuff for both kids and getting up to feed baby girl in the MOTN. He says he has it all under control but when I took a 3 hour CPR class I got three phone calls about how the baby wouldn't stop crying....it'll be an adjustment but I'm excited to get back and be around other adults 2 nights a week.

Nicole3&counting

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2lacyblue said:

I go back two weeks from today. I am excited to get back to my students and teach. I am sick to death over leaving DS in daycare. Whyyyy can't I just hop around with him in my pouch all day?

I used to wish I could be a SAHM, but now I see that I would have to at least be the entrepreneurial kind with an etsy shop or something. I like to feel driven and busy at work. Wish I could say the same for the gym!

This made me laugh because I do hop around with her in a pouch all day. I own my own business so I worked from home immediately and was back in 2 weeks. Miss H just gets strapped to me Luckily I own a child based business so it is not strange to have her with me. My DH started keeping her at night 2 nights a week now that I need to be physically coaching again and it is very weird. I was a full time SAHM with the first three so this is new to me.

SuperTinkerham

I go back next Thursday. I am so ready to go back. Not to take him to daycare though. I wish mister would SAHD.

honeybee434

I go back the 22nd and I'm in the "I'm ready to not be a blob all day" club, but I hate the idea of leaving her. I originally was going to go back early part time for an easier transition, but now I don't want to lose any time with her so am just going to wait until my first day back and do full time. I think in the future DH and I are going to explore moving closer to my work to cut my commute, me working part time, OR for long term, starting my own business so I have more flexibility. Any of those would take years, though, so we will see.

mcvgal

As @Pug4gdb mentioned I too am ready for a routine. I think DS1 got used to being at home with me, but hopefully he will transition well back to his old routine

abundancenow

I don't go back until the end of October and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. DD is very fussy and I hardly feel like I have a grasp on caring for her, I've switched formulas, tried different bottles, she's on Zantac, and things still don't seem great. This leaves me feeling concerned about someone else caring for her while I work. I really hope things get more regulated and DD seems more comfortable before I go back to work. With DS, I was very concerned about daycare, but ended up with wonderful experiences. I found the care he was given was by women who truly loved him and caring for babies. I found I enjoyed my time away from him and the time we did have was valued and spent with me very attentive. My work time was a great outlet and made me a better mom. DS starts kindergarten tomorrow and he is socially prepared and academically above average skills for his age and I attribute this to his daycare experiences.

dobbyisfree

I went back last Friday. Its not awful, just getting the routine down. Of course I miss my morning playtime though. 9-1130 am i always have the happiest most playful kid. Im jealous my inlaws get that baby instead.

shortstack930

I don't go back to work until mid October but I'm already dreading it. I wish I could figure out a way to be a SAHM. My job is stressful because of mismanagement/shortage of staff and I really don't want to be away from DD

AMcLaws

I go back on the 16th. I've already been crying about it.

rheard3582

I have my own business and have a lot of work I need to get to. I simply cannot get it done with the kids around.  My oldest was at a home sitter part time but has not been back since the new baby.  

 I have decided to send them to a daycare part time starting next week.  LO will be 10 weeks and i feel kind of guilty that he is going back 6 weeks sooner than my oldest (although my oldest went full time).  He is now 2.5 years old.

I am pretty anxious about it in general.  But my biggest concern is getting the pumping thing down.  He is EBF.  But he will probably go 2 days a week for now.  My oldest will go 3 days. 

cookieinva

I've been back since end of July. It has gone smoothly as expected. Weekdays are really busy and weekends are exhausting. I feel like supermom for doing the most basic of things (came home from work and fed everyone dinner; I'm awesome!) which is kind of ridiculous but there it is.

jrinehart0

I haven't gone back to work yet.  But, I just want to say how refreshing it is to hear other people are eager to get back.  All of my new mom friends dreaded going back so I have felt a little like a bad mom for being so ready to go back.  I am looking forward to getting to the "new normal" that will be our life from now on.  

clebl24

I go back mid October. LO is 6 1/2 weeks and I planned to start part time from home around now, but I can't bring myself to do it. DH got laid off when LO was 4 days old and hasn't started new job yet and MIL is here 3 days a week. It recently occurred to me that l haven't had much alone time with LO and it makes me sad. I don't want to be unappreciative for the help, but this mommy wants some solo bonding time.

1982Babies

I'm on my second week back.  I work at home, but have scheduled hours, so my mom, dad and MIL are taking shifts during the 3 hours that DH and I overlap work.

I just worry that she will have a huge tantrum for them and they will get fed up.

Ekg688

I've been back for two weeks now. I looove the adult time I have. What has made it the easiest for me is I feed her right before I leave and she falls right back to sleep. We get our bonding snuggle time and since she's asleep it makes it easier to slip away.

My tip for you is get EVERYTHING ready the night before. I made the mistake of waiting till the next morning to make bottles, put my pump bag together, and make lunches. It was madness.

Also I will sneak out a little early in the mornings if I'm ready to go and DD is asleep. I'll take time to grab a coffee or sit in the parking lot at work and listen to the morning radio shows. It gives me a second to recharge before going into work.

email2ash

I go back 10/6 and am right in the middle about it. Some days I'm excited to get back to my job (some parts I really like some are very stressful) others I am teary about leaving the baby! He will be 3 days with my aunt and 2 with my step mom which is great but with full time + hours and a 45 min commute I am sad to be missing so much time during the week with him. His smiles melt my heart! I guess being a FTM part of my fear is that he won't be as attached to me, that our bond won't be as special. I'm trying my best to ye myself this is stereotypical mom guilt and I will get used to the new normal but it's hard some days.

JayBzo

I was worried and sad until the day arrived. I went back this Tuesday and I am more upset about not being upset than not seeing my kid, if that makes sense. It actually has me wondering if I have bonded appropriately with him.

I am happy to see him when I get home, but I feel like it is constantly go go go. When I get home I have to get everything ready for the next day - which I agree is a must to make mornings go smoothly - but it is also irritating because I feel like there is no down time at all, but maybe that comes with being a mom and I won't ever get that back.

I am most sad to miss all the fun things and smiles etc - with a premie we haven't had much of that yet and now someone else will get to see it! I am hoping being away gives me more patience when I am with him though.

Ekg688

@JayBzo‌ I agree with the hustle and bustle when you get home. By the time I wash bottles, pump parts, get bottles made and everything else put back together, make dinner, and do laundry it's time gor DD's last feeding before she goes to bed. On top of that DH works nights so I'm doing all this while stopping to interact or calm a grumpy baby.