How do I adjust to returning to work after maternity leave?

I have 2 weeks left of Maternity Leave and am really starting to dread having to leave my baby to go back to work. I know I'm going to miss her so much plus I'm really worried that I'm not going to be in the right head space to get my work done.

6 Comments

CherylHill

This one is a so hard and one that I was not good at since I decided I didn't want to and have been a WAHM now for 5 years. HA

Some women are good at this decision and ready to get back their adult life, conversations by going back to work, but others like me found a way to do it at home.

My suggestion is to figure out what will work for you. Is there ANY WAY to do your work from home? Have you thought about finding something to do from home? Is that an option financially?

Make sure all your apples are in order by feeling REALLY good about who will watch your baby girl. It WILL be hard at first but it can still be a good situation if you allow it to be! Knowing she is safe and well cared for is the biggest worry and if you have that taken care of then you will feel more relaxed!

Good luck, like I said I was way to weak to go back into teaching full time!
Cheryl
www.SimplyWorkingFromHome.com

Wed, 2008-11-05 10:25

Coolchick332

just make sure everything is in order when you are ready to return to work and you should be fine.

Mon, 2008-11-17 07:26

MsBwell

I think this is one of the toughest steps as a mom. I didn't do very well and ended up quiting my job to be a SAHM. Now my friend handled it well but she did a few things I wish I would of thought of. For starters, the week before she went back to work she would take the baby to the sitters in the morning. It was just for an hour or two. This helped get her in the routine of getting the baby and herself ready to go and dropping her off. Then her first week back she would drive to the sitter's house during her lunch break. Luckily work and the sitter's were only five minutes apart and it really helped her with her seperation anxiety. And the baby was fine the whole time.

Your first week back isn't going to be easy, remember not to be so hard on yourself. You will do just fine. Be strong.

Tue, 2008-11-18 08:54

Cornflake Girl

I think when my oldest was born it was easier for me to transitions back to work. I was younger and the only one working at the time. I felt guilty at times, but I knew that it was something I had to do to support my family.

I remember also that spending time with my son when I got home was one of the most important parts of my day. I never took for granted the time I spent with him because it was so precious to me. I think that as long as you still spend quality time with your daughter you will be okay. Every night I would give my son his bath and then we would read books together. It was our time and it was special.

Good Luck and Be strong.

Wed, 2008-11-19 09:10

michelleq73

It was so hard for me coming back to work last month after my maternity leave was over. I just wanted to stay at home with my baby boy and play patty cake all day, but being a single mother, that was no where close to being an option.

Luckily I have an awesome friend who's looking after my boy while I'm at work and I get to go home and see him on my lunch when time permits.

I had the luxury of staying home for the first year of life with my other two sons and I feel like I am cheating my baby this time around. Maybe it's just that I feel like I am cheating myself?

Being a single parent is so difficult at times, I have 3 sons, my 18 year old no longer lives with me, but I do have an 11 year old and 4 month old I am responsible for 100%. No help from their dads, I don't get any help whatsoever and on those days where you feel like if you don't get just a 5 minute break the whole world is going to fall apart, I don't get the 5 minute break and have to remember to just breathe because no matter what it is, This To Shall Pass.

Thu, 2008-11-20 11:10

HappyMommyx4

I also decided against a career and motherhood. I left work when I was 7-months pregnant with our 2nd baby. I know it is not a popular emotion in current culture, but I feel that there is not a lot of purpose in bringing a child into the world only to pay someone else to raise it for me. The sacrifices we made are mind blowing. We spent 3+ years with only having 1 vehicle which meant the kids and I walked everywhere and I had to be creative within the home.

Now that our youngest is 3 I am starting a new career in medical transcription. No, it isn't as glamorous as my pre-mommy education and career were and it isn't really the career I had dreamed of, but it will supplement our income and take minimal time away from the children.

Where this is a will, there is absolutely always a way, it just depends on how much you're willing to sacrifice to find the way.

Thu, 2009-05-28 11:46