♫Selena’s Mama♫ asked:
Hi! I’m 21 weeks with baby#1. This question is to mothers who have been through this. I plan to return to work after the birth of our little one as we cannot survive on one salary, (i mean, who can nowadays?) and i have a great job on top of that. However, how hard is it to leave your baby at home or with a day care to return back to work? Did you cry, how did it feel? Were you constantly worried? Everyone keeps telling me that i’m not gonna want to return to work, but i know that i have to for money purposes as my hubby’s salary alone cannot cover everything. So, how hard was it to leave the baby in someone else’s care when you finally returned to work?
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Hi! I’m 21 weeks with baby#1. This question is to mothers who have been through this. I plan to return to work after the birth of our little one as we cannot survive on one salary, (i mean, who can nowadays?) and i have a great job on top of that. However, how hard is it to leave your baby at home or with a day care to return back to work? Did you cry, how did it feel? Were you constantly worried? Everyone keeps telling me that i’m not gonna want to return to work, but i know that i have to for money purposes as my hubby’s salary alone cannot cover everything. So, how hard was it to leave the baby in someone else’s care when you finally returned to work?
Find a fantastic person or center that you feel comfortable with and go back to work. It’s all about the people you leave your baby with. Yes it sucks. But I can understand (totally) what you are going through. I have 2 children and I went back to work after both of them. You’ll miss them and wonder what they are up to but know there are thousands of other moms just like you that leave their babies to go to work. Just find someone you feel totally comfortable with. Do your homework when looking for childcare. It is the most important decision you will make. Talk to the caregivers, talk to the other parents, call the Better Business Bureau to check for any problems. Do your homework and enjoy your baby when you our home.
Good luck.
its hard to do…i was trying to finish college after my first and went back to class when she was 6 weeks old. and yes, i cried…i was worried and scared (even though she was with my parents)…it will get easier as time goes on. please be sure to THOROUGHLY check out the sitter or day care provider you choose and make sure they have an “open door policy” (meaning parents can stop by any time, unannounced)
good luck and best wishes
I am sure it’s hard. I myself have never left little newborns alone to go to work. Fortunately I’ve been self employed and I waited to finish college until they were older like 4 and 6. Now I have a new baby and I am still self employed. But a lot of people I know have a hard time. Only one woman that I know of was actually HAPPZY to get back to work, but she is known as more of the “non-emotional type”. hehe. Best of luck to whatever u decide to do. and Congrats!
It was very very diffult. I didn’t cry surprisingly but I thought about him all day and I was wondering what he was doing. I felt really uncomfortable about it for a couple of weeks. It does get easier eventually. Especially once the baby gets used to the routine & where he/she is at. I still feel bad for having to take my son to daycare but I have no other choices. I hate that they spend more time with my son then I do
Steps for leaving baby to return to work.
1. kiss baby good bye
2. review daily procedures and emergency phone # with sitter.
3. kiss baby again
4. wipe tear from left eye.
5. tell sitter she can rech you at any time at work# or cell.
6. kiss baby 1 more time.
7 wipe tear from right eye
8. repeat steps 2and 5 just to be sure.
9. kiss baby just once more.
10. go to car . make up something you forgot so you can go back inside and kiss baby again.
11. go back to car. sit in driveway for 10 min. cry like baby. go to work.
12. call sitter every 28 mins to check.
actually. its really hard the first time you leave your new baby.
but make sure you are comfortable with who you are leaving them with. if its a day care facility go with your child a few days before saty awhile and make sure you are extremly comfortable with there procedures. maybe find somewhere close to work so you can pop in during lunch.
and dont ever feel like you are being one of those overprotective moms!!
good luck
I feel for you. I’ve been through it once and will have to go through it again. I am fortunate enough that my mother cares for my daughter. I pay her because although she’s retired, she’s on a fixed income. However, you cannot put a price tag on love for your child. Just give yourself enough time to find someone you feel comfortable with. It can make all the difference. I would even start looking before you have the baby. It is difficult to leave your baby. Although it’s good to get some alone time for yourself, I never wanted to leave her on a daily basis. I cried a little, but I held it together pretty good. The good thing about it is that my daughter has never really experience separation anxiety because she’s use to me going to work. It has also made me appreciate my time with her more as well. Don’t feel bad for having to return to work. Most of us have to. Just be thankful for your little one and enjoy the time you do have together. Best wishes.
Have you ever thought about using some of your 401K or credit cards or bank loans? Income tax is around the corner you can pay it back than. Stay at least 6 or more weeks with your baby so you and your baby can bond.