Returning after maternity

an9i77

I've been off work for a year on mat leave and am going back next week :eek:, I don't know how I feel about it, I guess I am looking forward to having some mental and social stimulation, but I've kind of got used to doing my own thing for a year and not sure I'm quite ready for the hurly-burly that is work again, although I'm not sure I'lll ever be.

Tell the truth, I'm a little daunted. I've been in for regular keep in touch days (although only doing simple tasks like the admin) so it's not like I've not set foot in the place for a year. I'm lucky in that my partner is going to be the stay at home parent at least for the foreseeable future, so I don't have to worry about childcare.

Other mums who've gone back to work, how did you find it? Was it difficult settling back in? Had you forgotten everything and need to relearn it? Any advice for the first few days or weeks back?

Thanks

mirrorimage0

ooohh im on mat leave at the moment too and have to go in one day a week for the next 3 weeks to do a level 3 course i swear my brain isnt up to it, will be dreading going back in july, but will only have to do a couple of weeks and then get the 6 weeks holidays off

Angel9876

I'm on mat leave too. I go back in march, but still sorting out annual leave, so could be later.

I know what you mean about being a bit nervous. Since going off my dept has restructured and moved building, and I haven't been in at all (difficulty getting there with 2 small children in tow)!

I'm looking forward to it too though. I'm only back 2 1/2 days, so not going to feel guilty about the children being in child care, and will be nice to use my brain again, and talk to people from diffrerent stages in life about non-child things (feel like i haven't spoken to anyone other than new mums for a year!).

Good luck for starting this new chapter of your life. It'll be fine!

vasseur

I only had 6 months off (this was 8 years ago) and TBH I really wanted to go back - in fact i think i went back a week early. It was nice to have adult company again and also a relief not to be listening out for baby crying.

I often wonder if the year's maternity leave does more harm than good.

vasseur

polesalot wrote: »

I only had 6 months off (this was 8 years ago) and TBH I really wanted to go back - in fact i think i went back a week early. It was nice to have adult company again and also a relief not to be listening out for baby crying.

I often wonder if the year's maternity leave does more harm than good.

I've just realised this makes me sound quite heartless.

To explain, I am a single parent and apart from odd visits to my mum and dad's it was just me and my daughter 24 hours a day - there was no handover at 7pm when my partner came in because he wasn't around!

I felt like I'd lost my identity somewhat and it was all hard work and little reward. When I went back to work, it was hectic and I really had to get organised but I liked having the structure in my day and I found that things ran more smoothly because of it.

vasseur

an9i77 wrote: »

Other mums who've gone back to work, how did you find it? Was it difficult settling back in? Had you forgotten everything and need to relearn it? Any advice for the first few days or weeks back?

Thanks

Two posts and still didn't answer your questions

When I went back i found that the temp who had covered my job had changed things quite a bit, but for the better (although I was a bit put out at first :cool:).

I went back 3 days a week to start with and settled back in really quickly. The key is getting everything ready the night before, making sure you don't have to slave over the oven (batch cook at the weekend so you have something easy during the week), get all ironing done at the weekend etc you get the picture.

If your other half is at home a lot of this can be done for you but if not you will still get it all done bacause you have to. I was travelling back from London, getting home at 7pm, bathing my daughter, sterilising and making up bottles for the next day, cooking my own dinner, doing the washing etc and if I can do all that (having previously been Miss Disorganised) then anyone can

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine, you might even be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy it.

Metranil_Vavin

I was due back to work full time on January 3rd, after a years maternity.

However in November I decided that actually I didn't want to go back full time. My job was a 1.5 hour commute each way and stressful with a fair amount of foreign travel.

I worked out that after child care costs, I was hardly going to be bringing any money in each month and it just didn't stack up.

It was hard though as I'd been there over 7 years, but I have managed to get a new job starting mid Feb, 3 days a week which is so much better for me.

I do want to work, but I also want to spend time with my son so for me, this is the best of both worlds.

Winky,_The_House_Elf

I returned in November after 16 months (I was signed off during pregnancy)

It was really scared when I returned, and got upset at leaving DD at nursery. You are lucky that you have your OH to look after the baby.

It took me a while to not look for my little shadow behind me and being able to pee in peace with the door closed.:rotfl:The adult conversation is a real bonus, but you will be surprised at how everyone wants to talk about their kids/grandkids etc! I also have more conversation with DH as opposed to regurgitating my shopping list and baby talk! Oh and I can sit in peace for an hour at lunch time and read my Kindle!

I used my annual leave to work 3 days a week, which finishes at the end of January, so its like a phased return to work easing me in gently.

I have a fantastic manager who has made sure that I didn't try run before I could walk again, and didn't expect me to just get on with it.

It does get a lot easier, and you will really appreciate the time you do get with your baby.

Good luck

Winky

alwaysbrassic

I went back to my role after 9 months (a retail management position), and realised my heart wasn't in it. It spurred me on to find a more balanced role. My role involved complete dedication, and I wasn't able to stay at work at the drop of a hat like previously
I have since found a part time receptionist role which I love. I love the atmosphere and the adult conversation, a proper lunch break, and drinking a coffee before it goes cold. I also like (although I can't believe I'm saying this) that I don't need to be in charge. I do enough of that at home!!

an9i77

Thanks to all who replied. I am feeling a little less daunted now! I am lucky in that my partner is very untraditional and wants to stay at home with the baby (he says it's his turn!) whilst I go back. Polesalot I am fully intending for my OH to do the bulk of the housework/childcare responsibilities so hopefully I won't have to worry too much about that! Although it will be a bit strange letting go of all that stuff at first, and I've told him that he either does the housework or we pay for a cleaner as I'm not doing it after a week at work! I'm lucky in that my boss has made my maternity cover permanent and increased the size of the team so rather than just inherit her workload I'll get a new one of my own. Also I am going back four days a week on a trial basis, so although there's no guarantee I will get these hours permanently, if the trial works then I will and if not, then at least its easing me back in gently.
I think I'm just a little daunted as I remember my job being really stressful, and I was so happy at the thought of not doing it for a year. But if truth be told, I am ready for some mental stimulation now, there's only so many baby poo conversations I can handle! ( I swore before having my son that I wouldn't be one of those mothers whos partner comes home and you end up talking about the baby's poo/vomit/bodily functions but despite my best intentions it happens!

tinkwings

I returned to work on Nov 28 2010 after leaving work in August 2009 :eek: As I has PG realted issues and was unable to work.

My PG time at work was not nice at all and I was dreading totally my return

I like you took part in 2/3 keep in touch days.

The return has been better than I had thought for....I enjoy being able to have a hot Cuppa & eat a meal in peace!!! :rotfl:

The social interaction is also good and I think that DD gets the best of both worlds. As she is looked after by her grandparents.

I do miss her but I also feel more like ME and not just a mum if that makes sense