Where did my motivation go?

erikaluna01

I've had a semi difficult time adjusting to being a working mom.  I've been back to work just as long as I was out on maternity leave and I feel different.  I don't mean my life is different.  My attitutde about my career and motivation to do a good job has taken a dip since I've been back, which is uncharacteristic of me.  Part of me really wants to be a SAHM, but deep down inside, I know that's not why because I would be bored at home.  I keep asking myself if there are other things in my job that have turned me off that didn't bother me before and I can't point my finger at it.  I'm already considering changing districts this fall after my contract with my current district ends.  I'm an educator in a large, urban high school. 

I guess I'm afraid this phase won't pass and I'll be stuck hating to go to work every day.  Did anyone else go through this "funk" after returning from maternity leave? If so, what helped you get past it?  Please advise!

Shema N

erikaluna01:

I've had a semi difficult time adjusting to being a working mom.  I've been back to work just as long as I was out on maternity leave and I feel different.  I don't mean my life is different.  My attitutde about my career and motivation to do a good job has taken a dip since I've been back, which is uncharacteristic of me.  Part of me really wants to be a SAHM, but deep down inside, I know that's not why because I would be bored at home.  I keep asking myself if there are other things in my job that have turned me off that didn't bother me before and I can't point my finger at it.  I'm already considering changing districts this fall after my contract with my current district ends.  I'm an educator in a large, urban high school. 

I guess I'm afraid this phase won't pass and I'll be stuck hating to go to work every day.  Did anyone else go through this "funk" after returning from maternity leave? If so, what helped you get past it?  Please advise!

I am going through the same exact funk right now...I have spent so much time wishing out loud that I could live in Canada or another country where I could stay at home for a year and just enjoy having a baby and have a job to go back to at the end of one year. (There was a commercial I saw while I was pregnant noting that ?you only have a baby for a year? and it really made me realize how fleeting this time is). I would do it even if I didn?t get paid. But like you I wouldn?t want to be a SAHM forever.

So I feel your pain and look forward to seeing what advice others have.

cindybaf

I felt that way too. I just had days that I did not want to be there. A lot of it came from first time motherhood, and feeling like I had to put her needs to the side while I was at work. You get the hang of it though. A lot has to do with having a good child care provider, that is so important to let you work well and get balance. Good luck, it gets easier! My first had colic so I also had a reason to really want to be out of the house and at work again, so in some ways the colic was good I guess.

brettsmama

Glad to hear I'm not the only one going through this. I feel like I'm more keenly aware of what's important now and some work things are just ranking lower than before. I recently changed jobs and now have a different focus, more hands on instead of paperwork. That helped some. Good Luck.

erikaluna01

Thank you for your input and sympathy. I'm sure there's others who feel the same way. I just hope this isn't long lasting. I want to enjoy my job again. My daughter is well taken care of at her grandmother's. Luckily I have that good thing on my side.

thedash

I felt this way. My priorities had changed and I was frankly distracted by DS being away from me. It did gradually get better. As he got older and more independent I learned to appreciate getting out in an adult environment each day and feeling a little but like my old self while working. But it did take time. Months honestly. Hang in there!

skibunny59

I'm going through the same thing right now.  I've been back at work 5 months now (I was out for 6 months on maternity leave) and I hate coming to work everyday.  I would love to be a SAHM but we just can't afford it right now.  I do like teaching and I find myself liking certain parts of my day but as  whole I really don't enjoy going to work.  I think it's because I don't like a lot of the classes I teach.  I am a music teacher and there are some aspects I like and some things I don't.  I love teaching band and putting on concerts.  I really feel great pride and joy when I'm teaching kids how to play an instrument.  I also teach grades 1-5 classroom music and I absolutely abhor this.  I mostly feel like I am babysitting so that the classroom teacher can have their 40 minute prep period.  My DH has encouraged me to find other teaching positions in which I would mostly be teaching instruments and band.

For now I just try to focus on the positives.  I get home at 3 everyday.  I have a week off for Easter break.  I work with very very nice people.  My kids are generally very good and I rarely have behavior problems.

littlestjerry

brettsmama:

Glad to hear I'm not the only one going through this. I feel like I'm more keenly aware of what's important now and some work things are just ranking lower than before. I recently changed jobs and now have a different focus, more hands on instead of paperwork. That helped some. Good Luck.

This exactly!

jasnem

I felt this way last school year when I came back from maternity leave. Now that she is STTN, I am no longer pumping, and I stepped down from all my "extras", I love teaching again. Give it some time. I am getting nervous for when we decide to have #2. I feel like we are in such a good routine now and I am able to both fairly well. Don't know how it will all work adding another to the mix.