Fulltime work - when?

[Mumma]

Hi All

I would love to hear from mums (particualrly first time mums) and their experiences about going back to work full time.

I started working again at this start of this year on a part time basis. My DS was about 5 and 1/2 months. Its been a hugely positive experience for us. I work two days a week. One of those days DS goes into a fab CC and the other my DH stays at home with him.

I have now been comtemplating when (and if!) I will work full time. Ideally I would like to receive paid mat leave for when i have a second child (this didn't happen the first time) and thus need to establish myself in a role for a while beforehand.

Its such a big decision and I don't know how I feel about it. I don't want to miss out on time with my son!

Are there mums out there that are in the same position?

Ta!

[aardvark]

I went back to work 3 days per week when DD#2 was 12 months old. I continued to work 3 days per week until she was 4, then I did 4 days per week.

Honestly, it nearly killed me, and it got worse once I fell pregnant. The housework went to hell in a handcart, and that was even with having someone come in to clean once per week. Just getting through the washing and shopping was hard.

Now I'm on maternity leave with #3, and I have no intention of working more than 3 days per week for the foreseeable future. I won't be returning to work until he is about 12 months old, either.

[madvoice]

I went back to full time work when Raleigh was 7 months old. I'm currently in between jobs at the moment (decided to leave the RAAF) and start full time work again as of the 6th March. I am happy to say that she rather enjoys daycare and all thoughts of me go out the window the moment she arrives. I guess she's a very independant baby :)

[ThomasMum]

Hiya

I was planning to go back full time this year (Thomas just turns 1 this month), I did try 3 days/week this month to get used to the idea of working full time 5 days/week but I hated it. So I am back 2 days/week at the moment until Thomas is old enough to go to school I guess (oh btw I've been working 2 days/week since Thomas was around 5 months old). Like yours Thomas's CC is also one of the best in the area and the beauty of it, its only 5 mins from DH's office. Which is fantastic, otherwise I'd be an unhappy mummy because I love to earn my own money but there's no way I would do this to Thomas, he's my world :)

From my personal experience, it's not going to be an easy decission to make, maybe you should do a trial first like I did? 3 days/week? If you think you can do it, I am 100% sure you CAN! :thumbsup:

So good luck :fingerscrossed:

[Imogensmum]

I start tomorrow- but only 2 1/2 days a week! I actually gave up my full time job as i just couldn't leave Imy!

I guess if i had too- it would be different but at present 2 1/2 days works well for me!

She loves her C/C- but then she has only gone for a few hours over the past fortnight to get used to it! But :fingerscrossed: it stays on a happy medium!So I am not really worried about the care she'll recieve- but I know that I'll be all tears tomorrow-:crying: but but but- oh I don't know i wish the world was perfect and that all mummies could stay home- or take there bubbas to work with them!! LOL

I must admit though I am looking forward to some face to face aldult communication- that doesn't revolve around Imy!! (as much as I love her to bits!!)

[Brooksy]

Hi there,

I am a first time mum to dd who is 9 weeks this week. Unfortunately I have to go back to work next week as we can't afford for me to be off any longer. (don't get any paid maternity leavein my profession).

I enjoy my job as it is working with children, but not looking forward to leaving dd.
I am very lucky though as mon-wed she is with her grandparents and thurs& fri she will come to work with me.(atleast i can go & give her a cuddle throughout the day).

I don't know how the next few weeks are going to go, i said to dh that i want to get as much of the house work done during the week at night when she's alseep so we can spend that quality time with dd on the weekends.

Dh is taking next week off to look after dd and help me ease back into work without worrying about dd. so by the time she goes into daycare she will be neally 11weeks.

All you can do is try and if it doesn't work out then go back to part-time.

Its not easy making the decision as you do feel guilty and also other people make you feel guilty but you have to decide what is right for you and your family.

[Imogensmum]

Brooksy good luck next weeek- it is good however that 2 days a week you can see her at work!

:hugs: for you- it is a really hard position to be in!

[samecutie222]

i started working full time when my son was 2 yrs and 2 months, it was the perfect time for us! :rolleyes:

[Mumma]

Thanks so much for letting me know about all your different experiences. It has definitely helped.

I will keep you posted on what happens! :)