Back to work Check-In 4/11

[ellabee]

Stealing from other BMBs....


When did you/are you going back to work?



What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work?



Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading? 

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around? Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom?



FTMs, was your maternity leave everything you thought it would be?

Rants/Raves/Brags for the week?

[pibblemom]

When did you/are you going back to work? Went back for real at 5 weeks p/p, but was never really "off"

What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work?
Work is my "normal," so it's nice to have a little bit of that back. Also, money. We got very tight for a while


Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading?
I'm very concerned about my supply. So far so good with pumping but I worked really hard to get my supply where it is, I'm going to hate giving it up, even though I initially said my goal was 6 months, I feel like I'd like to go longer now.


FTMs, was your maternity leave everything you thought it would be?
My ML coincided with my normal winter break. I still had some things that needed to be done, and I sort of wish I worked for a big company instead of myself so I could have had an actual maternity leave

Rants/Raves/Brags for the week?

I'm loving the warm weather and sunshine that we're having, so I'm also loving being back at work which is combo indoor/outdoor, and so are my dogs who get to run the whole farm property while I'm working.

[rinny]

Ooo I like this.



When did you/are you going back to work? I go back next Friday (4/21)



What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work? I like the responsibility and solving problems. I'm excited to feel like I'm using my brain again.



Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading? Well, L has refused to eat before drop off every single time for the last 2 weeks, so I'm really nervous about how that will affect my pumping schedule.

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around? Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom?
I haven't left yet, but I'm really struggling with the feels lately. I think moreso than last time even though I know logically I'll adjust and be glad to be back.


Rants/Raves/Brags for the week? I'm just hoarding all the snuggles while I can. Having so many feelings about possibly never doing this again. On a work related note, I apparently have my performance appraisal at 9 AM on my first day back because that's also when raises are reflected in paychecks, so that will be fun. I'm a freak who loves performance appraisals. I always appreciate feedback both good and bad.

[ellabee]

When did you/are you going back to work?
4/3

What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work?
Using my brain. Eating lunch with both my hands free and no one crying/whining at me.

Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading?
I have some low level anxiety over supply, but I made it work with DD so I'm more confident this time around. I wouldn't say I dread pumping, but it's mildly annoying and disruptive. I do have to travel for work Apr 24-26, so I'm dreading leaving DH with bedtime/motn/daycare dropoff&pickup duty. He's been so busy with work during my leave that I can honestly say he's helped out with *maybe* 3 motn wakeups... It's going to be an eye opener for him.

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around? Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom?
Yes. B is with the same caretakers at daycare that DD had, so I'm comfortable with them. With DD I essentially spent the first two weeks back to work pumping and watching the daycare webcams. This time around my anxiety over leaving B is waaay lower.

Rants/Raves/Brags for the week?
B did 9hrs 15mins last night. Whaaaaa? Also, I'm baking 2 delicious cakes for Easter weekend. I managed to do a bunch of prep for them so far, so I'm feeling productive (lemon curd, espresso buttercream, regular buttercream, chocolate ganache).

[peaseblossom55]

ellabee, send me some cake please?

When did you/are you going back to work? 4/5



What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work? Nothing really. I wish I could find something.



Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading? So much just actual work, being away from E so much.



FTMs, was your maternity leave everything you thought it would be? Yes it was. I also thought I'd have more down time to clean, cook and work out but nope.

Rants/Raves/Brags for the week? Rants- the nanny not doing the smaller details I ask of her. I went over this, this morning. Hopefully things stick more. E also cried for an hour and a half yesterday when I came home. No idea why, just screaming like the world was coming to an end. It was awful. It happened on Friday too. I don't think it's something the nanny is doing but I don't know.

[summergirl1211]

When did you/are you going back to work? Went back April 4th.


What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work? Being able to do what I need to do (eating, pumping, etc.) without worrying about a crying baby.


Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading? Just missing him. and I hate my job so there's that!

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around? Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom? Honestly it was harder leaving Noah and I wasn't expecting that. With DD I had the feeling of "no one can take care of her like I can". I'm over that. It's more the feeling that he's my last and I would give so much to spend as much time with him as I can. I've learned to just take things slowly. To know that things will be missed, forgotten, late, etc. and that's just life right now, and everyone else will just have to deal.

FTMs, was your maternity leave everything you thought it would be?

Rants/Raves/Brags for the week? All rants here. Two days back at the office and both times I failed at pumping. The first day I thought I had the right tubes/connections for the pumps at work and didn't. The second day (today) I brought my own pump, but forgot the tubes. Both times I had to leave work early so I could come home and pump. Major fail.

[geauxtigers79]

Hey ladies - I know I've been totally MIA but I'm going to try and jump back in!


When did you/are you going back to work?
4/18



What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work?
Honestly nothing. I am really struggling with this.



Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading?
Just going back to work in general and leaving my kiddos. Out of the clear blue last night DD hugged me and said "I don't want you to leave and go back to work."

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around? Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom?
Haven't left yet but feel that it will be easier in some ways but much more difficult in others.



Rants/Raves/Brags for the week?
Rant - I can't sleep and it's not fair lol. My body apparently considers sleep a 4 letter word!!

[thelittleredm]

When did you/are you going back to work?
I go back today

What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work?
Um. Umm. Ummmmm........seeing people, I guess?

Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading?
Pumping and everything surrounding that. Also, missing W's firsts.

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around? Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom?
Not at all. But probably because DS1 was 2 when I went back to work and not a baby.


Rants/Raves/Brags for the week?
Hm. My house is mostly clean so yay.

[ellabee]

Good luck today thelittleredm. You got this mama!

[peaseblossom55]

Good luck today thelittleredm!

[bazinga]

Goodluck thelittleredm!


When did you/are you going back to work?
Back in the office on 4/26


What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work?
Intellectual stimulation.


Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading?
I just hate the thought of leaving H and missing his firsts. Also worried about how I'll cope/balance work and home.

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around?
Just as hard
Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom?
Not that I can think of.

Rants/Raves/Brags for the week?
I've had a productive week cleaning the house so far but it's convinced me I'll really need a cleaner when I'm back to work.

[heybulldog56]

1. My first day was last Thursday (4/6)

2. I am enjoying the adult interaction and having a consistent break during the day (lunch and planning period).


3. I am worried that I will be so tired by the end of the day that I will 1) start slacking off on home responsibilities which will then add anxiety to my life and 2) not make the most of my time home with the boys

4. It was much easier leaving B at daycare than it was to leave DS1. Best life hack is just getting everything ready the night before including outfits, lunches, bottles, and breakfast.

5. Rant- I am so tired; rave/ brag- I have not gotten lazy or behind on chores (yet)!

[summergirl1211]

Good luck today thelittleredm! I hope your day goes quickly and smoothly!

[ellabee]

I hope your pumping went off without a hitch today summergirl1211!

[judyblume14]

When did you/are you going back to work?
Came back last Friday, April 7 at 12 weeks.

What is one thing you're enjoying (or looking forward to) about being back to work?
Don't stone me, but, I kinda like pumping. It's a little bit of a stress reliever for me, and I can zone out get a lot of work done in those 20 minutes! I also like having the opportunity to eat and pee whenever I want!

Anything that you are especially worried about or dreading?
I'm worried about becoming a bit of a pushover about taking meetings that mess with my pumping schedule. I'm on day 5 though. And the only pump session I moved was to accommodate going out for sushi yesterday

STMs, do you feel it's easier leaving your LO the second time around? Any life hacks you have discovered along the way as a working mom?
It was a little easier coming back this time because I like my job better. Plus, A is at the same in-home daycare that DD has gone to since she was 12w. We're happy there, and that makes it easier. Hacks: get as much as possible set at nighttime (packing diaper bags, work bags, lunches, bottle prep, load up your car if that's feasible, lay out clothes, have coffee pot set, prep breakfast if you can, etc). To maximize time with baby and other kids, come home, play, eat, do bedtime. AFTER bedtime, you can focus on cleaning up dinner, washing bottles, etc. This takes a lot of discipline for me because I see the counter stacked with dirty dishes, day care bottles, pump bottles and parts, and DD1's lunch containers. Drives me nuter, but it really CAN wait. MEAL PLAN AND PREP as much as possible on the weekends.

FTMs, was your maternity leave everything you thought it would be?
STM here, but answering anyway. I was really anxious on maternity leave with DD1. This time, I had a better handle on my life, had more confidence and really enjoyed myself my more

Rant - my H pissed me off to no end yesterday when he was unhelpful in the morning, made me late because he was jacking around, and then made me even MORE late because he called me 20 minutes into my commute to tell me his keys were in my purse. RAGE.
Rave - I can forgive him because that it really atypical behavior for him and he is a super-contibuting partner in our marriage/parenthood, which is making my tradition back to work smooth.
Brag - pumping is going well. My family has eaten dinner every night this week. I have even made it to the gym twice after work this week so far (only possible because my gym is less than a 1 minute drive from my office)