The return to work thread

[ellabee]

I figured we could dump all of our "return to work" issues and thoughts here.

When are you going back? What are you dreading? What are you looking forward to? What's your childcare situation? Are you ready?

[ellabee]

I go back April 3rd. It literally seems right around the corner.

I'm dreading the Groundhog Day-esque feeling of dropping of 2 at daycare, going to work and pumping 3x a day, picking up the kids,shoveling down dinner and wrangling everyone to bed. I'm tired just thinking about it already.

B will go to DDs daycare. It'll be nice having them at the same place at least.

I'm also not thrilled about the cost of 2 in daycare. So there's that.

What I am looking forward to is just some alone time honestly. I can shut the door to my office and eat lunch without worrying about anyone's needs but my own.

[peaseblossom55]

I go back April 4th I believe. I am so so upset about having to go back. Right now MIL is sitting for E two days a week and I am searching for a nanny the other the 3 days. I really wish leave was longer. I am going to miss her so much. I am dreading going back also because I hated what we were doing at work.

I work from home 1 day a week so even when MIL watches her that day I can still see her, I try to tell myself that it's only 4 days a week I'm really separated.

[tex]

I'm going back May 1. I would be going back mid April but I'm taking leave to get me to May. A lot of changes are happening in my squadron between now and then, mainly the work schedule.

I was doing m-f 7:30-4:30 but when I go back it will be Panama schedule with a 7-5 work time. I'll have 3 day weekends every other weekend and time during the week off. It is similar to my old squadron but no night shift and switching back and forth.

As far as my actual job, I am hoping I remember how to do everything lol. And I'll also have to work out the pumping schedule and where to pump. They still didn't have that figured out when I went on leave. Thankfully, I'm off for a total of 14 weeks so I will have some time to build a stash.

DH is staying at home like he did with DS1. He isn't happy about the new schedule but I keep reminding him that it isn't night shift or 12s like my last job.

[vlagroupie]

Baby is starting at daycare on march 27th, im planning to ease into work and baby at dc by just doing half days that week. The week after I'm taking off bc my parents come into town for dd1's bday, then I'll go back full time officially on April 10.
I'm nervous about baby at dc bc DD1 didn't start dc until she was 1. Before that my mil watched her 3 days per week and I just worked part time. So I'm not really familiar with logistics of a 3 mo old at dc. But I really need to work full time to keep up with customers at my job, and to pay for dc--2 kids in dc is way more than our mortgage-it's ridiculous!

[pibblemom]

I'm going back Monday 😢. My business is seasonal, and always reopens early March. Ive been trying to work at home but it's really pointless, I just get the bare necessities done between feeding, changing and pumping.

I'm worried I won't be able to keep up with pumping and this will be the beginning of the end for BFing. I am looking forward to forcing myself to take 2 days off during the week. I have always been a workaholic so it's different for me. so far it looks like Tuesday/weds will be my "weekend." I will do my best to not bring work home and work on those days from home in an effort to make them our days.

[thelittleredm]

I go back the beginning of April. Like, the first full week I think. I need to contact HR and get a firm date. I was considering going back in the middle of the week but we'll see.

I'm dreading pumping. I hate it so much. I'm dreading being away from my boys all day. As big of a pain as DS1 has been, I've missed spending my days with him and this leave has made me happy.

Both boys will be with the nanny until DS1 starts pre-k in the fall.

No. And yes. I'm ready to see people and feel productive. I'm ready for nothing else.

[bazinga]

When are you going back? 4/26 is my first day back in the office. I have a work from home day the week before which will be spent clearing out emails and managing my calendar ready to start back. I'm doing a gradual return to full time over 5 weeks to help with the transition.

What are you dreading? The logistics of drop off and pick ups and being able to do my job in an 8hr day. It's very demanding but working a 60 hr week needs to be a thing of the past. Also, my group had been impacted by lots of changes during my leave (that in involved in with hr despite being on leave) which mean lots of uncertainty about what my teams and I will be working on.

Also, I need to work out when and how to transition H to combo feeding before I go back given I don't pan in pumping at work.

What are you looking forward to? I actually enjoy the simulation and challenges of my job so there's that.

What's your childcare situation? MH will take leave to cover my working days add I transition back to FT so DS2 will start daycare (same place as DS1) when he's 5mo old. It's as long as we could stretch it.

Are you ready? Not yet. Not sure I will be then either.

[silvermelody]

My original plan was to return May 1 but that's getting pushed out by at least a week if not more. DH will stay home with both kids. My main stress is teaching N to take a bottle again. She had it before her tongue tie clip and now she's struggling with it. I have a decent stash started already.

I don't mind pumping, we have a good setup for it. But I'll be jumping into a major project that I'm leading when I return and I'm stressing about that. Also, there are some big leadership changes happening (two VPs are leaving) and even though neither are above me, it'll be a big shake up for the company.

I'm not ready to go back, no. But I'll get back into it pretty quick

[otepoti]

When are you going back?
I don't go back until October and I feels incredibly blessed to have that time. Hugs to you all.
.
What are you dreading? Everything, having to retrain AGAIN, feeling like an outsider, the pressure, crappy management and getting to know new people ( we have a high turn over)
What are you looking forward to? Being part of a team that I do like and having conversations with people.
What's your childcare situation? Both will be at the campus nursery 2 days a week and have 1 day with Daddy
Are you ready? nope and dont think i will ever be.

[weeklyplanner]

Hugs to all of you. As a SAHM, I always think about working moms when my mornings feel so crazy trying to get DS dressed and out the door. At least I can be a hot, frazzled mess. You guys do so much before 8am and so much prep the night before. It definitely does not go unnoticed by this SAHM. I hope you all have an easy transition back!

[brazilianpeach]

I am back to work and it sucks! I love my job but my mind is with L all day long. I discussed becoming a SAHM for a year but our lifestyle would plummet since I make up about 60% of our household income. I also feel robbed because the time I spend in bed rest counted against my maternity leave.

Right now my mom offered to stay with him this month so he can grow an extra month before going to daycare. He starts daycare in early April.

Have I mentioned this sucks???

[thelittleredm]

brazilianpeach, Ughhh That sucks. We have the same issue with me SAH but my income doesn't make up quite that percentage.

[pibblemom]

Today's my first day officially back to work. Luckily I make my hours and do not have a set schedule, because this morning was a mess. My plans and what actually happened were about 2 hours apart, but it is amazing how much more productive I am when I actually just want to get home.

[peaseblossom55]

brazilianpeach I am so sorry you are back already.