Going Back to Work Anxiety

[mamitica]

Hello everyone-

I'm new to the site, new to BW and I'm a teacher and going back to work in 2 weeks (August 18).  My son is 7 months old.  I was hoping to start this thread to share our fears, anxieties, and success in leaving our children in the care of others to earn the mighty dollar unless we want "repo man" to come knock at our door.  DS will be taken care by grandma M-W at our home and he'll be in daycare Thursday and Friday.  I'm just so afraid he will get off EASY, but mainly, I'm truly sad I'll miss all those magic moments during the day- a smile, a look, a laugh, a milestone, a song.  Anyone out there going through the same thing?

[* Paula *]

Huge hugs, I know how hard it can be.  I went back to work when DD was only 18 weeks old.  It was hard.  She is in nursery Monday -Friday from 9:00am to 15:30.  She loves it there and is thriving.  She gets so excited when I drop her off now.  It is hard to keep on EASY but she has adjusted well.

When I come home and spend the afternoon with the kids, it is great quality time that we spend together.

Hugs hun 

[mummy_bec]

Hi there, I know how you feel and I'm sending hugs your way. I'm a teacher also and I go back to work in 2 months when Finlay is 6 months.

When I went back to work after Eoin was born my MIL looked after him and she did beautifully in keeping him on his EASY routine. (I think she thought I was a bit penantic by making her write down his EASY routine every day but she did without complaining). Luckily we didn't start him in daycare until he was 10 months. I'm really worried about how she's going to cope with the two of them - I think we might have to up Eoin's daycare days to three - it's just too hard for a 60 year old to look after two children!!

I think the best part of having them on EASY though is that because they're in a predictable routine it's easy for other people to take over when we're not in the picture.

[mamitica]

Paula- WOW!  18 weeks old.  You are a brave one and I admire you.  It's amazing how strong mothers can be.  I know I've had a good ride these 7 months, but it's never easy. 

So I was thinking how to explain EASY in the most simplified way to the daycare and MIL so that it would be easier for them to understand.  I know that to many we must seem like "nap dictators", but on the contrary it's to ensure a happy pleasant child.

I too am planning to make them write down LO's daily schedule.  Does anyone have a simple check mark sheet I could use?  If I come up with one, I'd be happy to share.

Mummy-bec, I hear you about the age issue.  My MIL is 61 and sometimes I wonder if she will have the stamina to handle a very active soon to be toddler boy.  She's often complaining of aches and health issues and what not.  I guess, I'll just give it a try and see how things go.  Sometimes one imagines things a lot worse than what they really will be.

Finally, before I keep rambling.  I thought it would be a good idea to share our organizational skills regarding keeping up with cleaning, meals, buying food, and running errands on top of taking care of LO, husband, and yeah.....working.  Yikes!  What happened to the feminist movement?  I think the load for women is so much harder now.

Thanks guys.  Your hugs and prayers help.

[mummy_bec]

Sounds like a good idea. Your daycare should be on board with it also. I found that my daycare do not let babies go to sleep with bottles (i.e. feed to sleep) unless they have written permission. The daycare follows the basic premis of EAS anyway and will put babies down at the time you say but the major problem is that with a whole lot of babies sleeping at the same time they tend to wake each other up so if your LO is easily woken by loud noises he will always be OT after a day at daycare.

[mamitica]

Another thing to consider.  I didn't think of babies waking each other.  Thanks for the heads up.  I guess we'll do the best we can.

[mummy_bec]

Yeah, my little guy coped but even now at 28 months is always tired after daycare because he just doesn't sleep that well there, and now lately only has a "rest" which is really troubling compared to his 2.5-3h nap at home!