Going back to work

It's not easy, is it. I'm going back next week. I don't think I'll worry too much about D because I know he's really happy where he is, with a fab carer. For me, the trial runs have been vital - last week he had 2 sessions there = one was just a play, the second was play and sleep. This week he had all morning yesterday, and today we did a trial run of the real thing - dropping him at 7.30 with me fully showered/dressed/fed. It's shown me that a) I can do it, and b) I know he's really happy there and plays/sleeps/feeds with no problems. If you can do that first, it might help you out.

In terms of organising, I gave DH the talk last night. He needs to do the dishes in the evening so the kitchen isn't a mess when I get home. I get Daniel's bag packed the night before with all the clothes, nappies etc, and I make up his lunchbox and put it in the fridge ready to grab in the morning. When he starts for real next week, I'll send all his nappies and formula on the Monday so I just need to worry about his food. I'm going to buy a hat and wipes to leave there. I do a meal plan, so I always know what we're having for lunch and dinner, and DH will need to take some responsibility for sorting his own food (and maybe actually reading the meal plan). I'll also get my clothes out the night before so I don't have to do the "what do I wear" and "I want to wear my white tshirt but O only have a black bra" problemsolve!

Look forward to hearing other people's tips.

I went back to work full-time when my boy was 7 months and my DH is a SAHD so don't have the organising as such to do! but can give my two cents worth about coping - it was very hard to be away from him all day but once you're back at work you kind of switch into work mode and I knew he was at home in his same routine and probably didn't even notice I wasn't there!

I agree that if you know they are happy in whatever kind of care they are in during the day then it makes you feel much better. It probably took me a good few months to get my head around being back at work - and the baby brain hasn't seemed to have gone away either.....

Hi guys, thanks for the advice.
I had sort of thought of some of those things, I guess I was looking for some reassurance. Well I'll be putting it all into practice on Monday, I'm due back then. The day seems to be getting closer and closer and there is nothing I can do to make it go away!

Also I think when you are going back to work then DH has to be involved and help.....it shouldn't all be done by you (presuming your DH is around in the am when you are getting ready).

I went back to work at 3 months with DS1 and 5 months with DS2. DH and I would go through what our week was looking like on the Sunday, who needed to do what and in most cases it worked out fine.

bumpety bump