Returning to Work

My maternity leave is officially over next week.

Having mixed emotions about it. I'm only working M-W so I'm not feeling totally miserable about it but I'm finding myself clinging to the girls a bit more these last couple of weeks. It's like I'm already missing them.

The girls have been visiting their nursery a few times as Abby has a bit of separation anxiety and she didn't cope well the first few times we took her. She's doing very well now and really seems to enjoy it, so I'm feeling better about leaving them. They seem to enjoy their time at nursery and I'm excited about them playing with the other babies and learning how to do all the things the others can do.

I'm also a bit worried that I'll get to work and stare blankly at my computer. My brain is mush. I'm sure I've forgotten loads of things and a year in my industry can change a lot of things. So I feel a bit like I'm going to a new job to relearn everything.

Although I did go to the firm's holiday party last week and everyone was so happy to see me. I felt like I was really missed. I was a bit worried before going off. When you leave for such a long time people can either A. realise how much you do and that they really need you or B. realise that you're expendable. I seem to be part of group A. Several of the partners were telling me how happy they were that I'm coming back and one partner who I'll be helping out was really disappointed to find out that I was only doing 1 days work with him rather than 3 like he thought.

I'm making Jon take the girls to nursery the first few days as I don't think I'll cope saying goodbye for a whole day.

It's really tough.  The saying goodbye really gets to me...I don't usually take him in to day care (my husband does it), but when I do, I get really sad leaving him.  But it does get easier as time goes by.  And my son really enjoys day care and being with the other babies, and I have a lot of confidence in the provider, which helps immensely.  I also find I really appreciate the time I do spend with him at home a lot more.  I think you will find that although it's really tough at the start, you will slowly start to feel a bit better.  Don't beat yourself up, though...that's the hardest part!  Do your best to not let mommy guilt creep in.

Awww....I know it's not fun.  *HUGS*

I cried all the way to work for the first week back after my second daughter was born.  It was miserable.  Once I got to work though, I was fine.  I did miss her, but I kept my mind busy getting back into the swing of things.  It's hard, but it's going to be ok.  Before you know it, you'll have been back to work for a bit and the good-bye part isn't so bad anymore. 

Yeah, it's tough. But you just have to keep reminding yourself that the girls will be having lots of fun and be thrilled to see you when you pick them up!

((hugs))

I thought you had already gone back to work part-time!

Hope all goes well - it must be hard.  I'm sure the girls will be fine - just think of all the fun they'll be having with the others there & new stuff they'll be learning & all. 

I hope it all goes well for you! Honestly, when I went back to work with my son, it took me a while to get into the swing of it, but once I did, I really enjoyed being back at work.
Good luck!

I thought you had already gone back to work part-time!

Nope. Just hermited at home like usual. I start on Wednesday, which is nice. I come in for one day, will probably faff around all day and then don't have to work until the next Monday.

I've dropped them off for their first day at nursery today. I'm spending the day getting myself (and house, and laundry etc etc) sorted.

I didn't cry but I'm missing them. It didn't help that Abby was freaked out by one of the other children's grandmother who was dropping off her grandson. She just got a bit too close and Abby doesn't cope with that if she's not in my arms. She seemed to perk up when she saw her key worker, though. That's encouraging.