Going back to work

[dee dee]

Hi all. I am due to return back to work in two weeks. The more I think about it the sadder I get. I am so so so not ready for this!!!! How did you cope with going back to work after your maternity leave.

And by the way, does anyone know of any get rich quick schemes to save me from going back to work?? lol;)

[SixtiesChild]

Dee dee,

Just noticed your post. Will you be working full time?
This sounds like one of those really difficult moments in life. Its natural to feel sad and overwhelmed by having to go back.
I avoided this by persuading my dh to let me stay at home, however it was to our financial detriment when I let the job go.

However I must say that I would love to work to make up for lost income as were really feeling the pinch now. The little one is due in March, so not long to go.

In your situation there may be ways of improvising but only you would know what would be appropriate for your situation.
If you speak to your boss, you may be able to jobshare and work part-time or along with dh figure out a plan where you could return to work just long enough to qualify for another round of maternity leave. It depends on whats happening in your lives at the moment, and how great the need is. You could do it short term, 3mths, 6mths, 1 yr etc.... then scale down to part-time.
Consider, do you really need to go and work? or can you both manage until bubs starts kindy etc....or even school?
There are lots of possibilities to explore. Who will be minding bub? Thats always an issue. If it's a trusted family member, then that would be a bonus. Can your relatives help out?

At the moment I'm planning to take up some ironing for some extra cash.
I recieved your pm and I appologise for not replying, my excuse is that I've been feeling weary this last trimester- you know how it is. Feel free to pm though.

[Chickadee]

The only get rich quick scheme I know of is to keep buying lottery tickets. Not very effective.

I started back to work only part time, 3 days a week. Most mums find that a more gradual transition and still leaves lots of time during the week to spend with their little bub.

Good luck with it :)

[rynosmum]

Hi Dee Dee,

I went back to work full time and there was only one way to cope with it. I cried, then cried some more.....and then I cried some more.

I had an agreement with DH that I'd try it for a month and if DS suffered, I'd give up my job for a few more months. The first couple of weeks were hard but after that, he settled into Daycare and we settled into a more flexible routine.

I'm not saying that it's not hard, it really is. But it is manageable. Oh....and sometimes I still shed a little tear..mostly when I'm at work and I pass by mums spending time with their little ones.

But you do get a sense of yourself back, your bub is able to mix with others which is also great for them - there are advantages too.:)

Best of luck !

[whatwasithinking]

Hi Dee Dee,

I went back to work full time and there was only one way to cope with it. I cried, then cried some more.....and then I cried some more.


I went back to work today fulltime and this is exactly how I was :( .

At least child care is across the road so at lunchtime today I got to go over and see Bec for 1/2hour (Hannah was fine and happily playing in another room). I then rang a couple of times to see how she was.

She had the best day but can't say the same for me!

They took some photos of her playing so when I picked her up they presented them to me as evidence that she will be ok! I cried again :(

[bpato]

I go back to work full time next thursday :( . My only saving grace with this is my mum with be looking after DS for me in our home, which is comforting.

I know it is going to be hard and I am going to miss him like crazy, but I just need to keep telling myself it is what is best not only for me and him, but our family. Finanically I must return to work.

I also have a great support system at work, and fantasic friends :) there that I know will support me through 100%, which has made the decision a bit easier.

Good Luck with returning to work.

Belinda

[candlelover]

hi

i know how u feel i went back to work after my boys were born and i hated it, everybody else saw their first, everyone but me, so when number 3 was on the way i started doing Party Plan, without to much effort i am making more than my fulltime job working a couple of nights a week for 2-3 hours each night in my first 2 weeks i made $840 and lots of new friends, there was no start up fee and no pressure selling or monthly targets to make, to think i cocked my nose up when my friend first suggested it.

[dee dee]

Hi just found this thread again, and thankyou for the input.
Well I went back to work three weeks ago, and it feels like I never left.
Thankfully I only work part time, and I have family available to look after Sienna.

I am gradually getting used to being out in the workforce again, but some days just feel a bit sad about it all. I have already missed two of Sienna's "firsts":(
I missed the first time she started clapping, and the other day while visiting her grandpa she said "ta ta".

I work with kids (I'm an ECT) and some days I feel like I am missing out on my little girl, to help raise other people's children. I hope it does get better

[nemosmum]

Hi Dee dee,

Im an ECT too so I know how you feel lol I went back last year for 2 days a week which wasnt so bad as I was able to take my son with me. He loved it so I felt very lucky (plus its an awesome centre)

However I have returned to full time work this year (for 3 months then I will go back to 3 days a week) Orlando attends day care with me full time and I get guilty all the time. There I am caring for and teaching other peoples children while my little man is getting hugs/kisses from some one else etc etc :( :o

But you gotta do what you gotta do!

Good luck :)

[dee dee]

Hi Orlandos mum. Being an ECT and a mum is definitely difficult at times. People always assume that I take dd to work with me, and say that its free why not?
They seem shocked when I tell them that I would still have to pay fees like any other parent. This is the norm at other centres isn't it? Or is my employer just a tight ar#*?????

[nemosmum]

no thats the norm,

I had to put my son on the waiting list like everyone else and have to pay the exact same fees. I am lucky as I work in the preschool room while O is in the nursery which I feel is easier (and harder at the same time LOL) as its less confusing for him and more professional for me etc

I am lucky as the centre I work at is extremly commited to quality care and provides high teacher: child ratios (as the current regs in NSW are ridiculous) so I dont feel so guilty about leaving him, but its still really hard.

BTW is it just me or is it sooooo much harder with your own bub, I find I can manage a group of 26 preschoolers every day with ease but with O (19 months) I am lost half the time :eek: :D :p

[dee dee]

I also work in the prescool room and find that it is easier to manage a class full of kiddies compared to being at home entertaining dd and trying to run a household!! Before I had my cherub I used to say that being at home with only one little bub would be a piece of cake, how deluded was I:p Now don't get me wrong I absolutely love being a mum but it is so so so different when the child is yours!!!!

[nemosmum]

My thoughts exactly Dee Dee :D :p :cool: You are reading my mind LOL a kindred spirit :)

[dee dee]

yeah its great to find someone who knows what I mean. :) If you ever need a whinge, then whinge away I will understand.

Well maybe I will start:o today at work I had an awful day. Wednesdays are always hectic for some reason. We call it Wacky Wednesday!! But this Wednesday was extra busy. Luckily I only work three days, so now I have four days to recover.:D

[nemosmum]

Whinge away girl...........................:D

Im working full time till march 13th as the girl Im job sharing with returns from maternity leave at that time, so she will do 2 days and I do the other three.

Im actually at home all week as Orlando has just got out of hospital with a chest infection/asthma:(

Hopefully he will be fine by next week, poor little cherub.

I cant wait to stop working full time and just do a breezey 3 days a week LOL:D

Our Tues/thurs are like your whacky weds:eek: coz we have alot of high dependant children with special needs and limited resources ie only one special educator and about 4 children with special needs.

[dee dee]

Orlandosmum, I hope that your little one is doing okay. It would be so scary having your bub in hospital. Give him a big hug, hope he gets well soon. A friends bub has just gone into hospital for the same thing.

[nemosmum]

Thanks Dee Dee, he is much better now, still on the meds for another week but his doing great :)