Return to work after Mat leave

Yorkshirechick

No real advice I'm afraid, but I'll be keeping an eye on this thread, as I'm going back to work for 3 days in October when my little boy will be 9 months old. We'll need to drop him at the childminders for 7am, as I'll be starting work at 7:30am, so will definitely be looking for all the tips you get.
Good luck on Monday, I know I'm not looking forward to going back - but I'm sure you'll both be fine x

MRS_TO_BE_2

Wow the old style board has got so many receipes....I normally chuck some old stuff into slow cooker so this will give me something different.

I'm was planning on getting up earlier as it will be nice to have cuppa and get organised. Also going to put everything by door last thing at night or in car ready. Another bit of advise a friend gave was to wear a old jumper/cardi over work clothes until little one safely in nursery...saves any last minute accidents! He seems to like nursery during his trial days and I have no worries about leaving him as hes very sociable. Just me whos going to hate it.

Already started doing shopping online...used Asda this week and will write meal plan in a bit.

Also going to take it in turns to do lunches depending on whos cooking tea.

thank you for all your advice, will let you know how the return goes.

td

Just a simple suggestion but don't just pack up your bags but, if there's nothing of value in them, load them intothe car. I know it only saves a couple of minutes but it's what stops me from being "just" late.

Being organised and having kids isn't easy but it's definitely do-able. Good luck

td

surreysaver

MRS_TO_BE wrote: »

I'm working to work 4 days a week on Monday after Maternity and not looking forward to it.

Most importantly: your son will be fine! There will be tears. More from you than him, though! He will catch a few bugs (colds/coughs mainly) when he starts mixing with other kids. Then you will catch them. After a couple of weeks or so he will settle down and you will notice how happy he is at nursery making friends and getting worn out!

surreysaver

MRS_TO_BE wrote: »

Thank you everyone for all your replies. Looks like organisation is the key. My OH is going to have get more involved!

He is not pulling his weight?! How about whoever gets home from work first starts dinner, the other one picks up your son from nursery? Assuming you both do office hours. I do shift work, my wife 9-5. Its easy. I pick son up and do dinner when I'm earlies, nights or off. Wife only has to pick him up 5 days a month when I'm on lates. I make me and her packed lunch. She normally takes him to nursery on her way to work when i'm on earlies and nights, otherwise I take him.
One problem with the mum having maternity leave is the first time I got to spend the day with him just me and him was when he was ill and couldn't go to nursery! Now you're going back to work and the sexes are now equal again, will your OH take time off if your son is ill to look after him?

MRS_TO_BE_2

No hes had it far too easy and i blame his up bringing...still a source of tension. The problem is he doesn't drive so whilst he can get work bus in morning he can't get home at night so i have to pick him up. Having lessons but even when passed can't afford second car. Finishes work at 6pm

Hes had our boy today though and done a good jobs and some homework...but he has said he hasn't had chance for a shower or brush his teeth....should have left them together months ago.

Nursery for the little chap tomorrow, hoping nursery will take him though as he has a cold (that he picked up last week from trial day)

Good point about time off though....will have to look into.

As for work....wsan't too bad. Nothings changed really!

surreysaver

MRS_TO_BE wrote: »

No hes had it far too easy and i blame his up bringing...still a source of tension. The problem is he doesn't drive so whilst he can get work bus in morning he can't get home at night so i have to pick him up. Having lessons but even when passed can't afford second car. Finishes work at 6pm

Hes had our boy today though and done a good jobs and some homework...but he has said he hasn't had chance for a shower or brush his teeth....should have left them together months ago.

Nursery for the little chap tomorrow, hoping nursery will take him though as he has a cold (that he picked up last week from trial day)

Good point about time off though....will have to look into.

As for work....wsan't too bad. Nothings changed really!

Colds/coughs they're OK with. Its when diarrohea (I know I've spelt it wrong), rashes and cojunctivitus occur they won't have them in (unless you go to doctor and GP says it is only xxx, he's OK). I know when a Mum goes back to work she doesn't want to suddenly appear unreliable when LO is ill - it is a good opportunity for the Dad to prove he is committed... I know when DW went back to work, there were three occasions in the first 6 weeks or so nursery wouldn't have DS in due to illness, but touch wood he's been there 10 months now and no more phonecalls 'can you come and pick him up and can't have him back until his symptoms have been clear for 48 hours'! Especially if you earn more money than OH it is much more sensible he takes the responsbility when it is required...

jackomdj

I get everything ready the night before.

I leave the spare clothes bag at creche & only bring it home if LO has been changed.

I made an effort not to stop too long at creche when our eldest was little & now I can drop them both off with a few mins in each room & get to work on time (creche opens at 7:30, I start work about 4 mins away at 7:45).

Keep some calpol in your desk at work, creche can't keep it on an ongoing basis but sometimes I get a cal if they have a high temperature.

Similar to the photo story above I have sung the "work & creche" song (a made up song) since my eldest started going & now she will often ask me to sing it on the way.

Don't make a fuss when they cry when you leave them, they will stop soon enough once you leave!

Make sure you leave work on time!!

Nicky

Jaycee1972

Good luck. Don't be frightened to ring the nursery during the day for a few days just to see how they are getting on (they will be fine). It will make you feel better and they won't mind at all. I found guilty just walking out if Mitchell was crying but if I stayed a few minutes and got him sat down for breakfast he was fine. Allow a bit of time and try different things. He was fine at the start and then had a wobble for a month or so at about 14 months. He loves it now though at 20 months. Goes no problem, smiles, waves, sometimes offers kisses and other times barely a backward glance. It has been great for getting him socialised with other children and trying different things.

Jaycee x