Return to work

Not coping at all, constantly processing a lot of grief 😢

Not coping. Makes me feel actual sick.

I’m ignoring it and pretending it’s not happening 🤣

I’m not coping. The thought of it is ruining my time left and I’m trying my hardest not to think about it 😩 time is flying!!!

I'm off until July but trying to think of the positives of her making friends and enjoying new activities. It's going to be so hard though 😫

I've not even touched the surface of returning to work, cutting hours (I can't go back full time as I don't have the funds or childcare to do so) I don't even have a permanent home, let alone looking at nurseries!

I'm in the process of quitting my job & starting my own business - idk how, but it's felt a tad easier, than the thought of going back to the same job. I'd still have to put her in childcare, but it doesn't feel so daunting. I can't explain how, but I'm also not thinking about it too hard, in case it starts feeling very daunting again 😅🤦🏻‍♀️

I felt so much anxiety about going back to work when I had my first. I was literally dreading it from 6 months (I was taking a year). But then when little one was about 10 months I started to feel like I was ok with going back. Going back itself was absolutely fine as well. This time I feel fine about it, I guess cos I’ve done it all before.

@Liz I'm a bit like that with leaving my son with my auntie or sister whilst I have a day out for myself. Although I struggled terribly to do it in the beginning, I'm happier to hand him over now 😂

Really helpful thread 🥹I was due back December but pushed it to April and might push to July. But only paid until October with a crap 14 week policy (!) so that’s a lot of unpaid leave 😢 It’s killing me

I’m back 31st of March full time - no choice and I’m not coping at all 😭😭 not been away from her for longer than a couple of hours since twise she was born. Dreading it :/

Only going back to doing 3 days a week and when she was 4 months I had my appendix removed so for 6 weeks she spent 2 days a week at my MIL house, Because I couldn’t physically look after her full time. So I’m actually kind of looking forward to time to myself again. But I know that I’m going to be spending more days with her than at work, and that makes things better.

Hate it!!! Trying not to think about it because it makes me sad!! I feel like it’s unfair, we have to go to work and miss our babies!!! 😢

I can’t stop crying about it, he goes to nursery for 2 days mid Feb. He’ll be nearly 7months 😔

I felt this with my first but it honestly gets better when you return. I’d definitely recommend doing a phased return with your annual leave if you can as it helps with the transition. Also try and use any KIT days you have too. I didn’t use them with my first but this time round decided I wanted to do them and did my first last week. It was a good practise run trying to get the baby and toddler out of the house and when I got to work it was lovely seeing everyone. It’s nice being there with no pressure to do any real work and just catch up with everyone. I go back the first week of May too and no longer dreading it as much now especially as I’m dropping a day too.

Just reiterating what another poster said. With my first I was absolutely dreading it, felt sick when I thought about it, made sure I went back as late as possible as I was so worried about leaving her and her starting nursery. I’m very lucky that I only work three days but actually I found we all thrived when I was back at work- she loved nursery and came on leaps and bounds, I appreciated my job more because it was some adult time away from babies and nursery rhymes (I got to eat lunch without interruption!), and I felt I had more to give on the days I was at home with her. I feel sad that this is going to be my last maternity leave and extended period of time off, but this time I’m not dreading it as I know that it all works out and you find your new groove!