Babies: 0 - 3 Months
RibbitGrl930
member
Going back to work sadness
RibbitGrl930
member
Well, I'm on my last week of leave and go back to work on Saturday. I'm so not looking forward to it and I'm not sure how I'll get through it as I've broken down into tears already just thinking about it. I trust DH (watching on Saturdays) and our sitter, but I'm dreading giving up all the personal time I've had with DS.
So, working Mamas, share your "first day back at work" stories. How did you do? Breakdowns? Embarrassing moments? Any coping advice? I work in a call center, talking to customers all day, so any advice on "faking it" (if necessary) is greatly appreciated! 
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Re: Going back to work sadness
My first day back at work with DS (now 2) I broke down in tears about finding a place to pump. I work in a hospital, which you would think would be BF-ing friendly, but the listed pump rooms I tried to use were co-ed locker rooms. The first one with a man sleeping in it. I had to pump in a dirty bathroom, while crying the whole time. I eventually found an office to use.
It was hard going back at first, but the adult contact was appreciated. The hardest part was my mom acting like she was DS's mom. I was jealous of the relationship she had/has with DS.
I had my first day of work yesterday. Luckily I have a very part time schedule; if I had to go back FT I'm sure I would have been (and still would be) a complete mess. I cried the night before, and I cried on the way to my mom's house to drop DD off in the morning. Once I got to work, I was okay. I just tried not to think about things too much and focused on remembering how to do everything after being off for 3 months! I'm a nurse, so I also have to talk to people all day, and honestly, it really wasn't too bad. You just have to try and get your mind off the fact that you're not with your LO, and focus on the task at hand. I've gotten pretty good at faking being nice and happy over the years of being a nurse, and it all came back pretty quickly
Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine.
First round of Clomid in May 2012= BFP #1, DD born January 2013
BFP #2 in January 2014, DS born September 2014
I had to finish up my semester at law school so the first time I left LO (with DH) was when he was only 2 weeks! It was only for a few hours, and I Facetime'd with them once or twice just to SEE that my baby was alive, happy and comfortable. I also had DH intermittently send me pictures. The first few times away were rough, but it does get better quickly when you realize LO is just fine when you get home!
Going back to work was (still is) extremely hard for me. I'm happy that I have the grandparents watch DS while I'm at work, but I'm still bummed about leaving him every morning. What helps is that they do send pictures of DS throughout the day.
But I cried the night before I went to work. And the day I went back, I somehow managed to keep it together. The only nice thing about being back is that I get some adult interaction and that is about it. Otherwise, I did not miss work.
For me the ride in was awful - lots of tears - but then when I was there, it was okay. Great to see some friends and kept myself busy so I didn't think about it. It got much harder a few weeks in and then got easy again. It's a tough adjustment - best advice - don't thnk about it!
This. I came back to work yesterday. I was sad all weekend but yesterday was not actually that bad. Last night is when I realized how sad it was that I get home around 6 and LO goes down by 9. My MIL is watching LO which is nice because I do not have to worry about him but I know she will watch all the firsts and I will hear about them. I know he will know I'm his momma but I'm really struggling with how familiar LO and MIL will be with each other.
C 7.16.2008 | L 11.12.2010 | A 3.18.2013