I have been back at work for 4 weeks now. DD was 8 months old at the time. I'm only working 3 days per week, but as I'm a teacher I can't just leave it there... a pile of marking is looking at me accusingly as I type.
We didn't do the sums before I went back to see if I actually needed to go back. I thought I would want to go back and be ready to, so when school started back this year I said I'd be back Term 3 for 3 days per week. I wasn't ready to go, and I certainly wasn't ready to leave DD at daycare. But... she loves it there. She's become so social and is learning so much! I'm glad because if she didn't like it there I would have packed it in by the end of the first week. The cost of daycare is ridiculous, but we don't have the option of family care. And we earn *just* over the threshold for any childcare rebate. So once we have another one (hopefully next year), I will definitely be doing the sums. Can't see myself wanting to go back at all after that...
I'm with Ocean Princess, I just don't know where I'm going with my career. I used to be so ambitious and now my priorities have totally changed.
Organisation is key... and look after yourself. If the housework needs to go to hell for a bit while you get settled so be it, and go to bed early on "school nights". I've been using Aussie Farmers Direct and planning meals around that. If you don't already have a slow cooker, invest in one.
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