FT Working Moms- Need Advice

I still have awhile before I need to return to work, but I am absolutely dreading it. Of course, I don't want to miss anything with my baby. The other problem is I just feel so balanced being home. I've adjusted to motherhood MUCH better than I thought I would. I also have an easygoing baby which makes a big difference as well.

I am the kind of person that likes to be on top of everything all of the time, and I can't imagine I will be able to do this when I am back at work. I honestly feel like I am going to lose my mind trying to keep everything running smoothly and keep my mind sane. I am lucky in the fact that my DH is extremely hands on with everything baby and house-related.

I am also a teacher and while I love my job, it is also exhausting being with little kids all day. As any teacher can vouch for, you can barely use the bathroom!

Any tips??? Thanks!

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

My advice is go with the flow. It will take a month or two to really feel like you have your routine down. The night before wash bottles, pack diaper back and get yours and the baby's clothes ready. Try to get up before the baby does to shower and start getting yourself dressed. In the evenings, it would be ideal if you and your DH take turns with dinner, dishes/bottles, baby bath/bedtime routine and packing bags.

When I went back to work with both kids, I personally didn't have a lot of anxiety about leaving them or have the feeling that I was missing out on their firsts (Remember even if they did something while you're at work, it's still a 1st when you see it). I knew that they would be well taken care and I loved my job. I was home for a yr with my first DS and I was miserable. I honestly felt like something else was missing. I am much better mother to them bc I'm working. I have a great job that gives me a really good work/life balance. DH doesn't help out as much as I would like, but I've got a system that works out for us.

Good luck, I'm sure everything will be fine. It won't be as bad as you think it is.

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

I agree, go with the flow. It gets easier as you get into a routine.
The good thing about being a teacher is you only have to go back for a few months and then you have summer vacation!

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

I am dreading the day I have to go back to work. I've been lucky enough to teach for 1/2 the year and only go back the next school year at the end of August. Teaching 1st grade is absolutely exhausting and I feel like I won't have any energy when I get home from work. I already feel like time is going by so fast, I want time to stand still.

My advice is to enjoy the time you have left with your baby as much as you can and try not to think about going back.
Once you do go back, I think you'll have more peace of mind if you trust the people who are taking care of your baby (weather it is child care or a parent or relative or just a babysitter)
Eventually you'll fall into a routine that you're comfortable with. It will probably be hard at first. Try to remain calm and patient and things will eventually et better. This is what I am also anticipating with me.

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

my advice is to def. try and get back to work see how everything goes. Go with the flow and see if you are happy working. everyone says once you get into a routine , everything will be easier. for me personally it's not working out. I have no routine whatsoever anymore, I'm not happy, I miss my DS and I will be resigning from my position w/ in the next few weeks. My DH is also very hand on and very helpful.

The good thing about being a teacher is you have the whole summer to enjoy your DC, my job only allows for 3 weeks off, not enough.

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

Thank you!! It's nice to hear from others that are going through the same thing. I think I will just have to cut myself some slack for awhile and realize that I need time to adjust to it all.

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

I went back to work pretty much right away and thankfully, have adjusted pretty well because my inlaws are watching him. Probably the biggest thing is I am more tired at the end of the day and don't feel like making dinner and stuff so we get take out a little too much........

HOWEVER I am ****** with my employer right now because I gave up my previous position (supervisory role) so I would have more time to spend with my son, especially with being able to work from home a lot more and they still are trying to "force me" to take on additional responsibilities, work after hours, in locations I no longer want to schlep to, etc.

I think I am going to have to stand up to them and really set my boundaries, however, I am worried that could eventually cost me my job........

I am just going with the flow right now and hoping that it will get better. The economy really sucks right now.

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

i found that when i went back (i taught k back then!) its sad to say but i didn't really have too much time to be sad when my kids were there...it was specials and lunch that i got mopy but i even tried to use that time to plan and do things os i didn't have to stay much later doing things than i needed to and so i didn't have to do as much at home (or as we all know, tried to not do as much at home! )


good luck....maybe you can look into how long you might be able to take off through your union...in my district its two years but you don't get any more seniority, etc.....


to you i know its hard!!

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

Posted by wowcoulditbe

i found that when i went back (i taught k back then!) its sad to say but i didn't really have too much time to be sad when my kids were there...it was specials and lunch that i got mopy but i even tried to use that time to plan and do things os i didn't have to stay much later doing things than i needed to and so i didn't have to do as much at home (or as we all know, tried to not do as much at home! )


good luck....maybe you can look into how long you might be able to take off through your union...in my district its two years but you don't get any more seniority, etc.....


to you i know its hard!!

Re: FT Working Moms- Need Advice

I could have written your post myself back in August. I stayed home with DS for 10 months and loved the fact that everything was always done at home - the house was always clean, laundry done, dinner cooked, etc. I went back to work in September (I am a teacher too) and to be honest, the anticipation was 100x worse than actually going back. I worked myself up so bad about going back that I cried everyday for about 2 weeks before - it was awful. Once I returned back to work I realized that it wasn't as bad as I thought. Is the house immaculate? No. Dinner always cooked? No. Laundry? No. But I do what I can in the time that I have and whatever doesn't get done, just has to wait. Time with my son and husband are a priority for me, and since I have less of it now that I am back to work, some other things don't get done. I have learned to just live with it....