Back to work blues. Tips?

hkuntzman89 · July 2015

I'm a first time mom and my little one was 5 weeks on Monday. I'm scheduled to go back to work next week for a court hearing on Monday and full swing Tuesday. I work 30 minutes from home and in a job where crisis situations that I have to handle happen. I had a couple nights while I was pregnant that I didn't get home until 3 am only to turn around and go back at 8.

Physically, I think I'm capable of going back (although I'm not sure how sitting at a desk for 8 hours will go). Emotionally is a completely different story. I'm not at all ready to leave her and be away from her for hours at a time. She and I have bonded extremely well. I broke down last night while my fiancé and I were talking about me going back to work because I'm not ready. If I worked closer to home in a different job (and trust me, I plan on changing jobs if one closer to me ever comes up), I don't think it would be this bad.

If we could afford to be a one income family, I would transition to a SAHM in a heartbeat but that's just not feasible. Any similar feelings out there or advice on making this a little easier?

karaelaine1991 · July 2015

I started my internship again on Monday night. It's only 10 hours a week so it's nowhere near as difficult as I would imagine going back to a full time job would be, but leaving LO even for just a few hours was still hard! One tip that I'd read that I think did help me was to leave LO for a brief amount of time BEFORE you go back to work. Meet up with a friend for lunch or even just go to the grocery store by yourself. It'll get the "first time away from baby" moment out of the way and it makes leaving LO on your first day back to work a little bit easier. You'll have left her before, so you'll KNOW she can handle it! It's just a small thing, but for me it did make a difference. That being said, you probably will be thinking about LO all day and you won't want to let go of her when you get back home at the end of the day. But you and LO will be fine and you will get through it! Good luck!

hkuntzman89 · July 2015

Thanks! I do have to attend a court hearing for one of my old cases on Monday and I'll be leaving after that so I'm hoping that helps make the full time transition a little easier.

enigmaticjj · July 2015

I'm also dreading going back to work because of how difficult it will be. See if you can have whoever is taking care of your little one send you pictures of them throughout the day.

HisSunshineLove · July 2015

@kes166 great advice! I'm only a week into my leave and I'm already emotional about having to go back to work and being away from my little love (literally brings tears to my eyes to think about it)! Easing into it makes perfect sense. Ty

@hkuntzman89 I too would be a SAHM if it was financially possible. I pray that a way is made for that to be a reality.

AlyLynn07 · July 2015

I know I will cry dropping off LO as I did with my first. I know in those first few weeks I will spend all day away thinking about him and wondering if things are ok. I found it helpful to call during lunch to check in and see how he was eating/sleeping. I also found one benefit of going back to work was that it made me appreciate the time with him that much more - even when he was crying and fussy and keeping me up!

akanini · July 2015

My baby is only two weeks and my job gives six weeks leave. I'm dreading going back and I'm thinking about extending my time.

mghershkowitz · July 2015

I go back in 1 month and I'm dreading it because I feel she's so small. She will be just about 2 months when I return. I wish I could just take her to work with me and keep her with me at all times. :x

henrytviii · July 2015

I've been back at work since Monday. Those of you early in your leaves, I'd suggest not thinking about it too much. Before 5 weeks with both kids I would burst into tears at the mention of returning to work. Right around 5 weeks the idea of working would become bearable. Not sure if it was hormones, LO's growth, or more recovery and bonding time but suddenly work would seem doable.

I am enjoying the time with adults at work and feeling useful. I suspect I will enjoy work for a few weeks and then the cumulative time away from the kids will weigh on me. I am hoping to work a little more part time in the fall for a few months if I can figure it out. For now I am glad to be back.

bajean1 · July 2015

I feel the same way, I go back to work on Thursday (which is also my 30th birthday go figure! Lol) and I am absolutely dreading it. I work about 45 mins from home and so far work has not been "family friendly" so I will definitely be looking for new jobs. If I didn't have my student loans to pay I would certainly be a SAHM. Luckily my sister is going to watch the LO on Thursday and Friday so I know she will check in often and send pics. But the following Monday he will be going to a daycare and I'm going to be a wreck!

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