Why did you return to work?

[Epacris]

Great thread, thanks for asking.

The number one reason I went back to work was because I was going absolutely INSANE!!!

I'm A TAFE teacher, I LOVE my job and my boss and colleagues are fantastic. I initially went back when DS was 3 months old for 6 hours a week, one night of 3 hours teaching with a few day field trips here and there. DH would mind him at night and Mum would have him when it was a day trip. I loved this arrangement, it worked really well for all of us.

When DS was 8 months old I then switched to working one full day a week (with Mum minding him). But, by the time DS was 10 months I was completely depressed and going insane. I found my days with him so utterly draining and totally unfulfilling. If we were not out of the house by 9am he would constantly whinge and tear the place apart. It completely did my head in.

So, I found a family daycarer (which was a rocky road too but that's another story) and went back full-time. Full-time is four days per week because of the amount of marking and prep you have to do at home in your own time.

So DS has three days in FDC, one day with my Mum and Fridays with me. Life is really, really, really busy with both DH and I working full-time and we are doing major DIY renovations to our house too. But, I wouldn't have it any other way, I really feel like this is a choice we've all made and although we're often really tired, we're happy too. We'll probably do something similar when the next one arrives (soon now).

[belfie]

Great thread - interesting to see what people have done.

I've just started mat leave (this week ) so my plans are all theoretical. I've applied for 12 months mat leave (3 mths paid), and I plan to return p/t (which my work will support). My reasons for going back are a few:

• I've always enjoyed my work, and I'd like to "keep my hand in". I have also seen girlfriends get "stuck" outside the workforce and find it hard to get back in after a long break. I didn't do years at uni & postgrad studies just to lose touch with the workforce.
• I grew up with a SAHM mum with very low confidence (her mantra to us was always - if' it's too hard, don't do it!), and I think I always envied friends whose mums DID work & were more confident (not that the two are necessarily related)... but maybe I feel I can avoid being like my mum?
• If I DO go back p/t & have a subsequent PG, I can get the p/t paid mat leave again... nice! And there's lots of nice perks at the big corporate for which I work.
• I THINK (we'll see) that I'd like the me time...but who knows how I'll actually feel once the time comes!

So I'll let you know in 12 months how it really pans out! tehehe.