First week back - tell me it gets easier

DCMerged

It is my first week back to work. I took 12 weeks leave, which was great, but I'm still sleep deprived and overwhelmed with it all. I miss my LO like crazy.

I have a great childcare situation and my nanny sends me updates and photos of him during the day. My husband is super helpful as well and works from home so gets to see him during the day.

I like my job and I know I need to work for many reasons. But I now understand why women choose to leave the workforce after having kids.

Please tell me it gets easier. Sniff sniff.

bearfootz

It does.  It's going to be different working now than it was before but eventually you get into a routine.  Good luck.

KathrynMD

It does get easier.  You'll settle into a new normal, you'll figure out how to sleep or how to survive on less, and where you can cut corners.  IME, it took a while to find a groove w/ working and being a mom.  Maybe about a month to fill do-able and a good 3 months to really get going.  Give yourself time to adjust.

I would also suggest trying to take a day off every few weeks (sans baby) to sleep and then run some errands (i.e. catch up on sanity) and then get a little extra time w/ your LO.  Chin up - you'll do great!!

michelle_1221

It took me about 4-5 months to find my groove, but much easier now! Hang in there.

laurakaz13

It gets much easier.  The first few weeks can be hard.  I never wanted to stay home and still don't, but I did miss LO a lot those first weeks.  I still miss her sometimes, but we have tons of quality time together. 

We also have a great routine set up during the week and LO thrives at her daycare.  You'll get there! 

Jenny952

Yes, it gets a lot easier.  I went back part-time (24 hours/week) and I still had an incredibly hard time adjusting.  Those first few weeks were exhausting!  Getting up early, getting both of us ready, heading out the door in time and dropping her off felt like an incredible feat, and then I still had to go to work!!!  Plus finding time to pump and coming home to get dinner ready and wash bottles and pump parts... GAAAHH!  But now things are great.  It probably took me 3-4 weeks to really feel back to normal, but now DD is almost 1 and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I love my job and love that she gets interaction at daycare.