Back to Work Tomorrow aka Doomsday!!!

MRSVELA07

So as my return to work day approaches I'm clinging on to my baby boy as much as possible. I have NO plans for the day and plan to keep it that way. Despite all the holiday invites we've received I'm devoting this day to my baby boy and my sanity!! It looks like there might be a part time position opening up soon so I'm going to snatch that up ASAP!! In the mean time hubby will be at home with Chris until August 26 then I'm taking one of my remaining FMLA weeks. After thar our mothers will watch him MonThurs, hubby has Fridays off. I am truly a mess right now!! Already scheduled an appointment with my therapist next Saturday just to discuss things but I'm not looking forward to this week at all! Any advice from mothers who have recently gone back to work? I really need it...

kimmlet

You will be ok, looking forward to going back to work is way worse than actually going to work.  The first couple of days will be rough but find a good routine and you'll soon find that it's nice to talk to other adults about things other than spitup and poop.  Your time with LO will be shorter but he'll be so happy to see you in the afternoons that you'll quickly forget any stress from work and will still have some great quality time with him.

It gets much easier, my first week back I contemplated quitting but after that I decided that I still like work and I like getting a paycheck and DS likes spending time with his grandparents while I'm at work.  It's all ok, don't be afraid to enjoy it once you get past the separation anxiety.

babyhannah2013

Awh, I know exactly how you feel. I went through the same emotions three weeks ago. I will be honest with you, it was the toughest thing I had to do. It will be hard the first day but it will get better. I had major anxiety attacks a few days prior to returning to work. It wasn't any help that my DH was not supportive at all. He thought I was being too emotional.

It is has been three weeks for me now and everything seems to be on track. I have a routine and sort of enjoy spending the day interacting with adults. Although I would drop everything and become a SAHM if I could, I can now think logically. I am working to provide for my precious baby and family.

The truth is, it will be tough. But the good thing is, it is actually tougher for the mom than the baby. My DD adjusted very well and is thriving. It will take some time for you to adjust though. Be strong and try to enjoy your last day with your baby. It will get better with time. I'm sending you mobile hugs!

portentosa

It's different for everyone. I was really apprehensive and depressed leading up to going back to work. I so loved being home with DS all the time. But, surprisingly, I had a good first week. I enjoyed being out with adults on a regular basis again, I LOVED showing off pictures and talking about DS with my co-workers,  I liked feeling more 'me' doing what I've always done, and I knew DS (like yours) was home safe with DH.

Don't get me wrong, I miss him like CRAZY. DH called me at work once to tell me that DS was almost crawling... no he's not. But it still made me sad to be missing what was going on at home. I'm jealous of DH for getting 4 days with DS while I only get 2. And yesterday when I got home from work MIL commented how happy he gets when he sees his mama. She said it with a good intention, but it gave me a pang of guilt for not being home with my happy man more.

Sorry for getting a little venty there. My point is that it may or may not be hard and that you'll always miss your LO, but it WILL get easier. Really. I may not have been convincing in the previous paragraph, but really. Getting out of the house and among adults is good and coming home to that smiling baby is the BEST!

Allison546

Good luck. I think it's really nice your DH will be staying home with your LO, so take comfort in that.