Return to Work :-(

**samandsez** · 23-05-2011 00:40

Has anyone had to return to work yet? I need to in July and am currently trying to sort out childcare arrangements etc without crying, finding the thought of being away from my daughter very stressful - she's only 11.5 weeks old at the moment, will be 4 months when I go back to work. Sadly the bills need paying. Hopefully it'll only be 3 days a week but the very thought of it makes me feel sick.

Can anyone recommend a way NOT to go back to work, or a particular type of childcare - i.e. is in someone's home better than in a centre and so on? I'm BF so will have to leave EBM for her each day no matter where she is.

I'm going to miss her so much :-( Any advice would be really welcome, thanks.

**Pregnor** · 23-05-2011 01:00

my bub is 13 weeks, i can't imagine how i'd feel having to leave her.

Work options- can you work evenings or nights and leave her with your partner or family? Could you ask your employer if you can work from home (i do this)?

My son went to care from 14 months until last week. My main thing is if you are not happy with the center or don't get a good vibe, keep looking. I loved my sons centre, but a recent change in management made me take him out- he was only going a day a week to give me a break.

Could you look at your spending etc and but back on things, foxtel, work lunches, cloth nappies etc? Maybe it would mean less days you have to work?

Good luck. I hope you find a solution that works for you

**samandsez** · 23-05-2011 01:05

I am currently frantically trying to cut things back and juggle the budget so that my fiance's wage is enough, and praying for a lotto win. I didn't think it'd be like this - I'm devastated to be honest.

I definitely won't leave her somewhere I'm not happy with, thanks for telling me that :-)

Thank you for your reply and for the tips, I'll give it a go.

**outbackdreamer** · 23-05-2011 01:31

Hi there, just wanted to say that i'm going through the exact same thing you are although our son is 9 months old now. I was meant to return when he was 6 months old but when the time came i just couldn't. Now It's only 3 months til i'm meant to return and it's truly breaking my heart. I know just how you feel! I've got a high paying goverment job and i'm strongly considering getting a night position somewhere else stacking shelves etc just so i can stay home with my son during the day and my partner can have him at night. We need the extra money but can get by on a smaller wage from me so i'm hoping you and I can both find that sort of thing because i know just how you are feeling right now. Big hugs to you :-)

**samandsez** · 23-05-2011 02:17

Oh yes Outbackdreamer, I know exactly how you feel! Isn't it dreadful. I work in the mining industry in WA and am also considering leaving it for a night job for the exact same reasons as you. Heartbreaking stuff. Wishing you the very best of luck - fingers crossed for us both and hugs for you too :-)

**Pregnor** · 23-05-2011 02:36

Samandsez- what do you do? I am also in the mining industry (kinda) in wa! Maybe you could ask around people you know for advice on day care centres too, what area are you in?

**Pregnor** · 23-05-2011 02:41

Samandsez- what do you do? I am also in the mining industry (kinda) in wa! Maybe you could ask around people you know for advice on day care centres too, what area are you in?

**amyd** · 23-05-2011 13:57

Hiya samandsez

I had to go back to work when DS was 3 months because of finances. We chose to put him in a day care centre because then i had less stress about what might happen if the carer's were sick etc. Given that you are still feeding I would suggest trying to get care as close to work as possible then maybe in your lunchbreak you could go and feed the little one. I live an hour from day care so we would drive in and have another feed. I also used to go and feed as often as possible but the rest of the time used ebm.

I agree with pregnor - if you don't get a good vibe then it's probably for a good reason. We were really happy for a while but then carers changed and there were some bullying problems so we pulled him out. So much happier with the new centre - and DS likes it better too.

**hemakesthree** · 23-05-2011 22:06

My son is 13 months and I was originally planning to return to my high paying job when he was 12 months. Now I just can't bare the thought of leaving him in childcare. It would feel like someone else gets to raise him and I just get to put him to bed at night. So I'm starting my own business doing consulting and working from home. Is this something you could do? There are so many ways of starting your own business with little money to set up if you have the right skills.

**samandsez** · 24-05-2011 01:52

Pregnor - I was a lab operator until I fell pregnant, then to get away from the chemicals I moved into a QHSE position :-) We live in Bertram - there are a few options but I don't know where to start. I think I'll ask around and check out some online reviews too. I can't work from home sadly, just not possible. Thinking about it, one in Canning Vale area (near work) might be better.