tips and advice please....

[maydr]

some of you may remember the thread i post about an email i received from the HR dept. of the company i was applying. many said, it was promising. and it is in deed, because i got the job. im starting on may 2 and was really looking forward to it.

now my querries... i dont know how will i face the separation thing with my dd. we have never been away from each other since day 1. all i know is i should and eventually i could. but please... give me some tips and advice to make it easier.

thanks in advance!

[mummybeast]

I can't tell you it will be easy, but here's a few things that I found helpful. I went back to work when #1 was 9weeks old (still get teary thinking about it), and then again when #2 was 8mths.

I found a photo on the desk helped. I changed it every few weeks.
I put a total art gallery of stuff they'd done at daycare around the walls of my desk, and it actually brightened up the whole office. People would come in to look at what was new on the wall!
I was also expressing breastmilk for them when at work, so this also in a funny way helped too.
My sister is very lucky and has negotiated a "work at home day" every few weeks, and she finds that helps, but it isn't possible for everyone to do the same.

Are you going to daycare? Or is someone else looking after her at home for you? If she is at home, try ringing her every lunchtime & having a little chat. You would be surprised how much they like it, even when a baby is quite young.
If she is going to daycare, make sure she is used to & comfortable with the carers who will be looking after her. Most centres will let you come in a few times before "the big day" to get her aclimatised to the place, and to meet the whole range of staff that will be caring for her - don't forget some of the staff only work certain days in some centres. Try to make her alternative care start day a few days before you start work, so you can get a few practice runs in before you have YOUR "big day", even if she is at home. Don't do both on the same day or you will go completely nuts. Both of you have to get used to being apart.

If you are able, try to get everything ready for the next day before you go to bed. I know it is a pain when you are tired from work and just want to put your feet up, but it really makes a whole better start to the day if at least some of your stuff is ready. There is almost nothing worse than starting your day in a mad panic trying to find this that and the other while you are watching the clock & knowing you are late! And never skip your breakfast or you will really fade by morning tea.

Is you new work aware that you have a baby? Find out what their policy is on if you have to stay home to care for her if she gets sick. Not all companies will let you use your sick leave, and some will dock your pay for taking days off. And some companies have a "waiting period" before you are entitled to sick pay too.

If I think of anything else I will post it too. Or if you need a sympathetic ear, you can always PM me if you want!

[diamonds22]

sorry not tips for you yet...just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!:smiliedance:

[maydr]

wow! thank you so much mummybeast. it was just the exact tips i needed and will definitely take note of that. :thumbsup: i was so occupied that all that you say never crossed my mind. thank you so much for taking time to itemized it all for me. :hugs:

thanks also diamonds22 for the congratulations. im really happy having this job as this will help the family financially and me personally.

and to others out there, please some more tips.:fingerscrossed:

[Cade's Mum]

Great tips already, I went back to work after 4.5 months and it was really really hard.

I would just like to add never ever ever feel bad about having a cry because you miss her, it sounds like this is the job you really wanted but it is still going to be lots of change for you. Change because you are away from DD, and change in your environment/learning the job role etc. So if you do feel a bit emotional just go with it - adjustment takes time.

I want to wish you all the very best in your new job. :D

[maydr]

thanks Cade's Mum! im in tears since yesterday i got the news of getting the job though i know everything will be ok eventually.:fingerscrossed:

[Cade's Mum]

Hey it is hard at first but mummybeasts suggestions are really great especially about having your DD attend daycare before you start work so that you can both ease into it. I didn't do that and I wish I had. (hindsight is a wonderful thing)

Also something to remember if your DD crys when you leave her be assured that she will stop about 5 minutes after you have gone so don't worry about that for the rest of your day.

Let us know how you go. :hugs: You can PM me to if you want to. :hugs:

[cjb/jbvd]

hi

i went back to work when my boy was just three months. it was awful at first, but i found that after a short while, i enjoyed the time to myself every day at work. it was easier because i put him in for half days the week before i went back. i had concerns at first about being replaced by his daycare mum, but it's been three months now and his face lights up for me every day in a way it doesn't for her. i keep a digital camera at work full of pictures of him at all ages. as a single mum, i had problems keeping up with the housework, but now i hire a cleaner once a week to take care of things i just don't get time for. i cook a bit extra at mealtimes so i can have leftovers the next day. sometimes i go home at lunch to visit him, but i try not to do that too often because i don't want to mess up his routine. my daycare mum keeps a diary for me of all the times he eats, how much, his sleeps, what he did for the day, and just general information for me so that i can read it and feel like i still can be involved in part of his day. on the plus side, i don't get the same frustrations with my son when i get home because i am just so glad to see him every day. i have more patience with him, and we aren't separated from the time i get home on friday arvo to monday morning when i drop him off. he gets the best of me all the time.

so good luck. i can't promise that it will be easy, but i can tell you it makes every moment you get to spend with them that much more precious.

cinova

[Fairyfloss]

it must be so hard leaving for baby fro teh first time, I hope it is an easy transition, for both of you. good luck