Anxiety about returning to work full-time.

jamie217

How did you handle your transition back to work?  I have 3 weeks left with my girls and the past few mornings while playing with them, I just start crying at the thought of leaving them everyday.  I am interviewing a nanny on Tuesday, who seems perfect and will be with them a couple days a week and DH and family will be here the rest of the days. 

I love my job and do miss it, but I am just worried that no one will take the time to read, get tummy time in and maintain our schedule the way that I do and that I will miss so many changes. Let alone how I'll be able to do a good job at work on broken sleep and get anything done around the house and keep up with the endless loads of laundry - that is already a struggle and I have the girls nap time now, once I go back to work I feel like I'll have no time to do any of it. 

How long after returning to work did you feel like things were somewhat back to normal? 

MagPie08

I've been back to work for two weeks, and for me, the anxiety/anticipation of returning to work was FAR worse than the reality of it.

I had the exact same feelings as you -- and know that they're valid. You're their mom: nobody can care for your babies the way you can. That being said, having a solid childcare option (a nanny you love & trust, grandparents, etc) is so reassuring, and while I found while I miss my kids during the day, I take comfort knowing they're in great hands. (Sometimes, I even think they get *more* love/attention/snuggles from their caretakers than from me, because when I was on m.leave, I was constantly juggling the laundry/cooking/household stuff).

As for balancing the household & a FT work schedule: I'm been amazed at how efficient I've become since having the kids and going back to work. The house hasn't fallen apart, we manage to eat dinner each night, and the kids are loved and safe. I do ask the nanny to throw in a load of laundry when she's here, and wash bottles, and that alone saves a lot of time. If gets to be too much, I won't hesitate to hire a cleaning service 1x week. 

I hope you find the same to be true for you. It is a transition, but for me, not as stressful/scary as I anticipated it to be. For now, ENJOY your maternity time and love those babies Good luck

jackieb3858

I needed to hear this. I am going back in a week and have been dreading it. I cry just thinking of it too. My mother will be watching the babies so I know I am lucky but I can't help but worry. I am a 3rd grade teacher and the class has been running since Sept. without me so it feels weird to jump back in as well.

jbl126

After being back to work for a little over a year, I still think no one can take care of my girls the way I do.  I tell my mom that all the time. 

As long as you find a child care situation that you are very comfortable with you just have to realize your LO's are going to be well taken care of.  Maybe not the way you do it but they will be just fine.

It is definitely hard at first but you will be ok.  The first week the girls were in daycare, I called twice a day to check in.  And now I dont ever call.  I know the ladies there take good care of the girls and they have fun there. 

monkski

MagPie08:

I've been back to work for two weeks, and for me, the anxiety/anticipation of returning to work was FAR worse than the reality of it.

I had the exact same feelings as you -- and know that they're valid. You're their mom: nobody can care for your babies the way you can. That being said, having a solid childcare option (a nanny you love & trust, grandparents, etc) is so reassuring, and while I found while I miss my kids during the day, I take comfort knowing they're in great hands. (Sometimes, I even think they get *more* love/attention/snuggles from their caretakers than from me, because when I was on m.leave, I was constantly juggling the laundry/cooking/household stuff).

As for balancing the household & a FT work schedule: I'm been amazed at how efficient I've become since having the kids and going back to work. The house hasn't fallen apart, we manage to eat dinner each night, and the kids are loved and safe. I do ask the nanny to throw in a load of laundry when she's here, and wash bottles, and that alone saves a lot of time. If gets to be too much, I won't hesitate to hire a cleaning service 1x week. 

I hope you find the same to be true for you. It is a transition, but for me, not as stressful/scary as I anticipated it to be. For now, ENJOY your maternity time and love those babies Good luck

This is almost me exactly too. It's been three weeks and it's not as bad as I thought. Yes, I miss them, but i know they are in good hands. I have a nanny as well and it's so nice knowing they are safe at home.  Definitely make it part of your nannies job expectations to do the kids laundry, and some light housekeeping. It's a huge help to not have to do those things when I get home. GL, you'll be just fine.

jamie217

Thanks!  This makes me feel so much better!

Jackie, I'm a high school teacher, so I know exactly how you feel - my sub is doing a great job, but I feel like I need to start from scratch with my policies, etc.  And I'm hoping I can maximize my preps so I get most of my lessons and grading done there, so I can go to bed right after the girls like I've been doing.