Already psyching myself out about returning to work

:redface::redface:

I love my job. I love that I get paid well for doing what I love, that our conditions are excellent and that the people I work with are great at what they do.

I originally took 12 months maternity leave but have since extended it by six months to return at the end of Jan 2012.

Problem is, I'm already psyching myself out about it!! I WANT to go back to work, but I feel so guilty about leaving DS. I don't know if it's guilt or my own separation anxiety actually!! I would be working some nights as well and it breaks my heart that I won't be there for bedtimes. I know I'm in a terrific situation that I've been able to take so long away from work, so I'm not complaining, I'm actually looking for some suggestions or strategies from people who have been where I am right now, and how they made their return to work smoother for themselves!

How can I turn going back to work into a positive?

I think everyone feels like that at first. But once you see that your child really is fine with the new situation then you will relax about it. :hug:

I know it eased my mind to have the plans in place for Mitchell's care before I returned to work. He started in childcare 4 weeks before I was actually due back at work. I was reassured by how he adjusted and that there were no major dramas.

I never thought I'd have issues going back to work, (as DD had been in daycare before that), but I found that the first few days/weeks were tough, but that I do enjoy the time away from DD - it's a nice balance for me being able to work part-time as I am able to have days where I'm not constantly talking baby talk etc, and where my brain is being challenged in different ways, but then I still have plenty of time at home. And I also think it did DD good not having me around 24/7.

As for missing some bed times - that's still hard sometimes if for whatever reason I have to not be there...but it makes the next night even more special! :hug:

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to see you in 3 sleeps BTW!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!! xx