Working moms / Returning to work after baby?

anvloveskme

I am wanting a reality check re: returning to work from new moms out there.  I work full time in a very high stress job (sometimes self created b/c I tend to work long hours by choice).  At this point, I plan on returning to work after the baby.  I am due in July, so I know things can change, but my co-owners are very flexible and understand that I will be out of the office for 2-3 months after delivery and we have discussed my desire/plan to work 3 days per week after that.  I will also have flexibility to work from home. My husband also works full time in the same industry but tends to work less hours than me.

I guess my question is directed to those who returned to work and found it to be too difficult and to those who are working part/full time in their previous jobs: What did you do instead, stay at home, seek out alternative employment, etc.?  and/or What have you found to be the most challenging when returning to work?

The_Jen626

Hi!  Check out the Working Moms board, those ladies are very helpful!

I took 10 weeks off after birth, then worked 3 days a week for 3 months, and now work 4 days a week.  I love it.  Being a working Mom makes me a better Mom overall.  Some women are really cut out to be SAHM's, and some aren't.  My guess is, if you like your job and like working, you will probably like being a working Mom.  I love my job and work for an amazing company, and my job has lots of wonderful perks that are great for my family.  I would go back up to 5 days a week if I had to, but I am very happy working 4 days every week, it's a perfect balance for me.  I still feel like I have plenty of "baby time" and really don't feel like I'm missing out on anything by working.

Most challenging thing for me, is my commute.  I drive an hour each way, stuck in traffic, and it sucks.  Also I have to pick up my DD from daycare by 6pm every day, so I can't run errands or work late, I have to leave right at 5:00 and pick her up.

Let me know if I can answer any more specific questions!

estherandgeoff2

I had 12 weeks of maternity leave then went back to work 4 days a week for 3 months and then back to FT. It was hard in the beginning but I got used to it. By 12 weeks we were just starting to figure out her schedule and the transition to daycare went pretty easily. I would call daycare once a day to check in for the first week or so, but DD was doing so well that it was not really necessary. 

I drop DD off at daycare in the morning and DH picks her up. I do try to be home by 5pm so we have some time together for dinner, play, and bath time.