Work

I am agonising over that first day back at work. I was lucky enough to grow up with a mom that was a SAHM and I wanted so badly to be that too, unfortunately the state of the economy has meant I can't and it hurts 😅 Probably only going back part time but it still sucks xx

@India same my mum was a SAHM too and I really liked staying at home for a year but I feel like I went a little crazy doing the same thing everyday and always being in the house & it’s sad isn’t it sometimes I wish we could get paid to be SAHMs because really it’s a full time job xx

Especially considering how a lot of Scandi countries pay for longer mat leave and even grandparent get it too sometimes! The monotony can be hard to deal with, but damn the time feels too short x

I was dreading going back like the week before, I’ve been back 3 weeks now and I am loving it! That time apart has helped my mental health so much! I work 4 long days so we have the long weekend together and if anything it makes it more ‘special’ my mother was always a working parent so I never experienced the sahm but I know I couldn’t cope being a sahm x

@India I was extremely bitter about this exact situation. I was so upset! I started back last week and it's been fine. I do miss my babe though 🥺

@Rhyannon I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way, I start next week but the past week my baby’s been in nursery and he loves it and the time apart has been great for my mental health and I think working and being in a routine again will make it that much better, working is definitely long but I think being a SAHM might have killed me as I was definitely losing my mind 🤣xx

Yes I found it hard when I was surrounded by others who ‘couldn’t leave their babies’ but I never remember my mother not being there just what she did and could do for us. The routine has helped us! We’ve got structure and the interaction with others for the little one they absolutely love it! Best advice I can give is do what works best for you and your family and ignore if others give you comments!xx

I'm looking forward to going back for the same reasons although I would have loved to have cut my hours more to have more time with him. I'm also doing 4 long days and a day off mid week. I'm due back next month but nursery settling sessions have started and I've really enjoyed some time to myself!

I’ve been back to work for 2 weeks (only doing 4 days a week) and have to say I was very ready to return to work, I’m loving have a bit of myself back and people not just viewing me as a mum! My girl is also thriving at nursery she loves it!

I’m going back 4 days and off Monday for a long weekend too, I feel like it’s good for us mentally tbh doing something other than being a mum & tbh I felt bad about putting my son in nursery but after seeing how much he loves it and how well he’s getting on I’m glad I did it! xx

I've been looking forward to going back for the routine and seeing colleagues, using my brain etc but dreading leaving my son. I got an email from work confirming my back to work date and it made my cry on and off the whole day. I'm just going to miss my little guy after being with him all day everyday for a year 😢

I think the thought of it is worse than actually doing it. I’ve done a couple of kit days and honestly feel a little excited to be back. It helps that our nursery settles have been going well so rather than thinking of him being looked after by someone else, my mindset has shifted to he’s going to have lots of fun and come on loads whilst he’s there (he’s only 10m). I think it’s going to be a big struggle though trying to meet the needs of both and balance it and im going to miss him so much. I’m working compressed hours so it’s long days but I get a day off a week with him so it’s going to be full on quality time 💜

Had my first day today, it's my second time around so there's less trepidation anyway. But I really enjoyed it and forgot to check the app for his sleep until 4pm 😄. Now to pick them up and see what they get up to. Of course they gave their cold to me so I spent all day in the office coughing away so not sure my colleagues were as happy to see me 🤣