I'll be going back after 10 weeks (I teach 2nd grade) and I'm terrified. I do love my job, but everyone is telling me how I won't want to come back. I know it will be hard, but I like the idea of having a life outside of the house, baby, and DH. Please tell me that some of you feel the same way???
Re: Does anyone actually like being a working mom?
I do. I can't say everyday is a joy and that is was great when I first went back, but now...I like it far more days than I don't like it! GL!
I do!! I like my job a lot and I know that working suits me. Being a working mom requires a lot of hard work, but it is very rewarding! Good luck going back.
Some days I do and some days I don't. I stayed home for a while then went back part time and now am full time. I feel more stressed now but I also feel like supermom because it is hard as hell and I manage it all the best I can. I chose to work every day, no one is forcing me, so I think the important thing is we embrace our decisions and be happy, rock star mommas, no matter if we work or stay at home.
You love your job and you have such a great job to be a working mom (being a teacher). Many, many women love working and being moms at the same time. Read "Mommy Wars", it is a pretty good read on how women should chose what makes them happy.
This isn't to say it won't be hard to go back to work - of course it will be! But the best advice I was given was to not make the decision the day you go back to work to stay home. Give it some time because a lot of it is adjusting to the routine/pumping/drop offs, etc. Once you get in a routine then you will know how you feel.
I love my DS with all of my heart.
But yes - I am so glad that I went back to work. I felt so incredibly isolated the 12 weeks that I was home. It was hard to get motivated to shower and get dressed every day. And I realized that I was watching the clock constantly, waiting for DH to get home so that I'd have adult company.
Dropping DS off at daycare that first day was tough and I cried the whole drive to work. But by lunch that very same day, I felt great. I felt normal again. I need to interact with my peers and have adult stimulation.
I miss my DS while I'm at work, sure. So I really appreciate the time that I do have with him, and I think that I certainly have more patience with him since I don't take our time for granted.
Maybride pretty much summed up my feelings exactly! (especially the part about maternity leave, I'm so glad I'm not the only one like that..)
Of course there are rough days but I can tell you with 100% certainty that I am happier and am a better mom working than I would be if I SAH.
I'm the weirdo who was itching to get back to work. I adore DD and I have so much fun with her, but I need to feel productive and like I'm really getting something accomplished. I'm not saying you can't feel productive by staying home, but it does depend on the person. I wasn't into just having play groups and classes and things. I'm more productive with house cleaning, etc. if I have a shorter amount of time, and DH and I felt that DD would benefit from being w/ other kids in daycare.
I love being around adults during the day and getting to use my brain. BTW, I was teaching at the time when I went back and all of my friends from that school have also gone back after having babies. The first month or so takes some juggling, but once you get into your schedule it's great. I'm assuming it's just twice as exciting with two
This board is also very supportive and the women are very knowledgeable and have a ton of combined experience.
DMoney will be a kickass big sister
I do not like being a working mom. I wouldn't mind working PT, but this FT schedule is killing me. And it's only 35 hours a week! Ugh!
Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
I work in HR and have counseled many women going out on maternity leave. The advice I give everyone is don't get your mind set on any one option. You never know how you will feel about returning to work until you are at the decision point.
Even if you decide to return to work (or have to return) those first few weeks will be difficult and you may second guess yourself. Just hang in there. Once you get into a rhythm it will be just fine!
My twins are 5! My baby is 3!
DS#2 - Allergic to Cashew, Pistachio, Kiwi
DS#3 - Allergic to Milk, Egg, Peanut, Tree Nuts and Sesame
No offense to your friends, but I hate that kind of unsolicited advice. Just because some women don't want to go back to work doesn't mean that all women feel that way.
By the time DD was 9 weeks old I was getting a bit ansty and by the time I returned to work at 12 weeks I was ready. I love spending time with DD, but my job is enjoyable and part of who I am, and I missed it. If I didn't like my job it would definitely be a lot harder to work, but I still think I would want to do *something* outside of home.
it's very imp that you love your job and are comfortable with where you are in life before going on maternity leave. the moms that tout sah, i found, were ones who never really liked their jobs or felt fulfilled to begin with. once they had children, it was easy for them to rationalize how imp it was to sah. to be honest, i hated sah on maternity leave. i felt like i lost my identity.