I posted in here aaaaages ago (it must have been archived) about my fears about going back to work after Gabby was born and whether or not I could do it.
Well, with Neil starting a new job and us having to move, I was kind of forced to go back to work! Neil will be a Plant Operator at a new Mineral Separation plant being built at the moment. Since June, he has been training for his job and is thus on a training wage (significantly less than what he will get once he's on shift). He is travelling to Hamilton (which is 2.5 hours away from Geelong) and staying there during the week which means I have had to go back to do emergency teaching to make up for the shortfall (as he has to pay some board to stay down there all week too).
At first I was really reluctant and a little scared. Though my Mum is looking after Gabby, I still felt a bit funny about being away from her so much.
However, it is working out really well. I only need to work 2-3 days a week to make up the shortfall so I'm not spending too much time away from Gab.
It's been really nice being someone other than "Mum" for a while too. I have been getting a fair bit of work at my old school so I've had a chance to catch up with friends and talk about something other than babies. I've also got to catch up with my old students and see how they are going (as I really missed them once I left the school). The job has a lot of variety... one moment I can be in a Prep class, the next outside teaching grade 6 P.E. so I have been able to use my brain a little bit. I also don't have to go to all the horrible meetings and I get to skip all the politics that is involved when you work as a full time teacher!! So that's a bonus.

When we move, I intend on contacting a few of the local schools to pick up some work there. Neil will be on a rotating shift roster where he'll have 4-5 days off at a time so I will be able to work when he isn't working. Gab won't have to go in to care and will get to spend a heap of time with Daddy that she doesn't get to spend now.

So, yeah... it's working out quite well! Just thought I would share that as an update and also with those of you that, perhaps, are feeling a bit conflicted with returning to work etc.