I went back to work when DS was 8 months, but he did come before I started maternity leave, otherwise he would have only been 6 months old. I had used up all my annual and paid materinty leave, bills needed to be paid, I earnt more than DH so I didn't really have a coice but to go back to work. I had enjoyed my time away from work just being a Mum but also being a Mum means doing what needs to be done.
I work long shifts and because of that I work 3 days week, the days I work I don't get to see DS as I have often left for work before he wakes or just as he wakes and home after he is in bed. DS is in day care 2 days week and DH cares for him 2 days week, giving me a day off, I usually get household chours done. DH dropped a day of work to assist in the care of our DS.
I feel satifsied in my choices as I have a life outside the home contributing to working society, I'm lucky as I also enjoy my work. I get to have adult relationships/conversation which is not always baby related, though there are lots of new Mums where I work so plenty of sharing in stories. There are differnent challenges with work v's child rearing, child rearing can get hard so work is a pleasent distraction.
DH gets to participate in the challenges of child rearing, DH and DS have a great relationship, my biggest challenge is not trying to take over when I'm around.
DS seems to enjoy day care, he likes to play with some of the older children. I think he learns a great deal from the other kids along with important soicalisation skills. I have never heard that he is distraught when I leave, and it has only been in the past month or 2 that he is a little clingy when I drop him off. I miss him terribley those days as 1 of those days is my chours/relax day.
I think the variety for my DS keeps him satisfied, he is a very happy boy, they only time he is grumpy is when he is hungry and/or tired. He is generally well behaved, though having a few more tantrums these days, but he is heading to the terrible twos. I apprecitate the time I do have with him, coming up with new ideas to keep him entertained in manageable. I would have trouble keeping him entertained full time 7 days weeks.