Going back to work and starting daycare : (

sknauf

I recently became a new mom to a wonderful baby girl 7 weeks ago.   I have been enjoying this new chapter in my life tremedously but as the days and weeks go by I know the inevitable is approaching.....going back to work.   I have a sales job that I LIKE- not love and the more and more I think about going back to work and leaving my girl I am HATING my job.  

My husband also works in sales so we are having to take her to a daycare 4 days a week.   I'm so distraught by the thought of having to give her up to daycare for so long during the week.   My husband and I also thought about the possiblity of me staying home and focusing on our home business and freelance grahic design projects but the money I make right noww is good with good benefits and cannot justify leaving at this point.  Looking to hear from the moms that went back to work and how they emotionally were able to part with their little one - any encourage comments or advice is truly welcomed.

happy_momma

It is not easy, but you will all adjust.  For me, I was importan to just accept that it is what it is. I have to work - not working would just not be a good situation for my family, so I had to learn to accept that I was doing what was best for my own family and not feel guilty about that.

My kids have really thrived in daycare.  Seriously.  It is still hard for me sometimes that I haven't had as much time with them as I would like, but I've been really happy with our daycare.  That part has been much better than I imagined it would.  They love the time with their friends. 

MayorMcCheese000

My DS was in daycare 3 days a week before he started kindergarten, I SAH during the day now so my 2 year old DD is with me everyday. Sometimes I think I SHOULD go back to working a couple days during the week just so she can go to daycare sometimes! I feel guilty that she is missing out on all the fun and interaction that DS got when he went to daycare. I mean I'm sure staying home with me all day is awesome but she certainly isn't playing with friends and singing and crafting like she would be in a daycare setting. Daycare is not a horrible place where bad parents send their children. If you find the right place that you feel good about, it can be a wonderful. happy, homey environment for your little one to spread their wings, have fun and feel loved and safe. It will be ok, I promise!

jlw2505

A few things from a working mom of 2 girls (now ages 5 and 3 1/2). The anticpation of going back to work/leaving child at daycare was way worse than actually doing it. It took a few weeks to get us all into a routine that works for us so don't be too hard on yourself, expecially in the beginning. Keep a picture of your DD with you - it does help when you get to missing her during the day. Never feel bad about calling daycare to check on your little one - they expect it especially in the beginning. It is super important to find a daycare situation that you and your DH feel super comfortable with. Go with your gut - if it doesn't feel right, it is not right, even if you can't pinpoint the exact reason. When looking at daycares - think carefully about what you want and visit as many different daycares as you need to until you find the one fits your needs. Some people love home daycares/some love centers. There is not a right or wrong - just what is right for you. Think about your schedule and flexibility and your ability to have/find back up care if needed if your child is sick or if you are in home care - if the home care provider is sick and needs to be closed for the day at last min. Think about what you want, what you can afford. Do you want all meals provided? (Some centers provide formula and baby food and all meals as the kids get older, some do not). Do you want your child in the same place from now until they start kindergarten? Do you want a preschool build in? Do you want a church/temple places setting or do you want your child in the care of one provider, in their home with a handful of other kids? Check out the working mom's board on here as well. Oh and when you go visit centers, be sure you just drop in to get a true sense of the place. If the daycare knows you are coming, they are planning for your visit. Any center/home that does now allow for an unannouced visit would be a huge red flag for me.