I don't know which subforum is best for this question... but it is mostly about the impact of work decisions on parenting.
I'm wondering if anyone has gone back to work quite early after having their baby and what impact it had? DH is going to be the stay at home parent again (still) and I'm going back at 6 weeks.
In my mind I keep telling myself that the working parent usually gets 2-3 weeks so I should feel great to get 6, but it still doesn't feel like much. I suspect my hormones are going to kick in after the birth and you will have to pry me away from DD2 with a crowbar to get me onto the train to work.
Anyway... if you have done it, how did it go? Any tips for mums returning to work early?
I returned to work 3 weeks after DD was born, but unfortunately it didn't work out. This was mostly due to the job (I'd only been there a short time and wasn't happy anyway), but I did miss DD heaps. I would arrange for DH to bring her in for lunch some days. I lasted about 4 months before my contract was "not renewed" (mutual decision by me and the employer).
If you can, see if you can get your baby brought to you at lunchtime so that you can feed them. Is your job flexible at all, e.g. can you work a morning or an afternoon from home sometimes? Do as much research as you can as to what you're entitled to. GL.
I returned to work part time (being that I worked a full day Monday 6:00am to 5:00pm and then I worked from 6:00am to 9:00 sometimes 10:00am Tuesday to Friday) when my DS was eight weeks old. When he was 12 weeks old I returned to work full time (6:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday and some weekend work).
I did this as I am the main bread winner and we could not live on my DH's wage so he stays home and I earn the bacon so to speak. It is a sacrafice that I chose to make.
I will be honest with you it is hard very hard.
I go home for lunch four days a week and have a rule that unless it is urgent and the office is on fire I leave at 5:00pm on the dot.
My DH & DS sometimes "popp" in at work for a surprise visit - it helps that everyone at work loves DS and love his little visits.
I also have a shrine so to speak on my desk at work of photo's of DS and DH.
I find that if I am really busy I don't notice how much I miss them but it gets to about 3:30-4:00 and I can not wait to see them.
In the begining I really started to resent my DH for getting to stay home and sometimes (even now) I feel as though I get no me time, I am either at work or I am at home with my DS and I feel guilty if Im doing something other than those two things.
Good luck with it all. It is not easy but is doable.
Unfortunately it is an hour travel each way to work so bringing her in won't be possible. I can organise late starts or late finishes, and some working from home, but not a great deal. I just can't say no to their offer though, it would be inane . Looks like this is going to be the way it is for the next year or so.
I didn't return to work as early as you did, I returned for 4 days per week when DD was about 10 months old & I didn't enjoy it. I worked approx. 40 mins from home. I negotiated with my employer that I would start early, finish early. From memory I worked from 6.30am until 2.30/3.00 and that way I got to spend some quality time with my DD before dinner, bath, bed routine kicked in. Is this something your employer would consider?? (I know you said late starts....) I found that about 4 months into me returning to work I couldn't handle being away from DD that much & went to part-time (5 days per fortnight). ((hugs)) a truly tough decision to make.
I'm not sure I really have a choice, but anything that could make it smoother would help! If DH went and got a job, we might make $800 a week after tax, but these guys are offering me $3k, with no option of part time. So one of us HAS to work FT, and it may as well be me, because the income gap is huge. And, I trust DH. He is a great Dad, even if my hormones are already screaming at me!
I went back to work at 6 weeks after DS. I hated every minute of it and after six weeks, I cracked it and took some moer time off. My situation was a bit different though. I was working from home, doing part time hours (equivalent to 3 days work) and breastfeeding. DH was SAHD but had no clue about tired / hungry signs. I had to trust him though as he was looking after DS and I wasn't. I struggled to get through my 3 days work in 6, was tired, stressed, grumpy, the house was revolting, DS was cranky too. He could see me & wanted me. Our office is in the living room. Not a good idea lol! Also, I found expressing very difficult and painful. This time around, I said, no way am I working so early & took a full 6 months off. DH worked at first and then became SAHD about a month before I went back to work. DD & I were much happier than DS & I were. My first thought would be "DON'T DO IT!" but that is just based on my feelings. Other tips, try to reduce your stresses if you can. If you are wanting to BF but can't, then it might be less stressful to FF. Hire a cleaner if you can afford it. Make sure you take a lunch break for some "me" time so you can be with your DD's when you are at home. Make sure you spend some time over the weekend with your kids - not cleaning or doing housework or groceries. Get out to the park, beach, backyard & just play. Can you move closer to your workplace?
Hi, I have been off BB for ages and had some time today to have a quick look and just saw this post. I was back at work after 5 weeks although truth behold I didn't really take any time off fully as I was still ordering and managing things from home (I have my own business). It is really hard and you will have a hard time in the beginning and I still have some regrets, BUT you have to look at the bigger picture for your family, if you are the bread winner then you are doing it to give your family a better quality of life and your husband will do a great job of looking after the kids I am sure. My best advice is to focus on the time you have with your kids and not the time you don't have. I am still learning to do this myself. It's tough and if you ever need some support you can PM me as I know how hard it can be and it really helps to vent to someone that has been there.
Good luck.
Returning to work
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. Looks like this is going to be the way it is for the next year or so.
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