Back to work - please tell me it'll be ok

[Mathilda]

SW - I struggled for a while when I went back, and had not even been out of the workforce for a year! Just found it really hard juggling everything. Everyone's different. You will adjust though in time, and then you can start enjoying it!

[sillywoman]

Ah yes, and a big round of thanks to wine too ... Cheers everyone!

[snowboarder]

SW - not surprised you are finding it tough - 5 full on days with all the family stuff too is a massive change!! I've only been out 3.5 yrs, have childcare in my house (no drop off etc), smallish children AND only doing 2 days and it's been an adjustment - things still feel a bit out of control 2m in! GOod luck and keep going - am sure it will all slip into place.

[Mrs_Glennie]

Big hugs SW, I think you're doing amazingly well - I was in one of your NCT groups last year and know that this course is your dream so keep that in mind when it's all getting a bit much. Your daughter sounds wonderful too.

I've been back at work a month now and when everything is working as it should be I really enjoy it, mini G has loads of fun at nursery (she's 11 months) eats tonnes, sleeps ok and we have lovely cuddles and play time when I get back. I have surprised myself by still being pretty good at my job and I'm loving lunches out, dressing up and doing things at my own pace.

BUT...

We have had to deal with 2 bouts of baby illness, in fact I'm off work today as there is a vomiting bug going round and she was sick yesterday so they have asked us to keep her home today and I have had to use precious annual leave. She got a cold within 10 days of being there which my husband and I then caught so there has only been about 4 days in the last month where all 3 of us have been well and properly rested!

I have heard that once they catch all these bugs it makes them stronger, so I just need to gird my loins, get through this first winter of dark early starts and hopefully the spring will be better.

Much love to anyone trying to juggle all this, being a working mum in HARD.

Mrs G

x

[Strawbs]

Mrs g I have experienced the same today actually.. Mini strawbs has had something or another since starting but always able to go to nursery until yesterday.. Doc at 6pm, seldoc dulwich hospital 11.15pm, kings midnight, today docs 11am and kings again by midday just getting home now.. Thankfully I emailed my boss last night who said either work from home or not worry obv if I was back up to the hospital.. It's very hard when they are ill and you are at work!! Hoping he will be ok by Monday or its another day ill need to take but thankfully touch wood I won't have to use my annual leave.

We have a process at work where we can buy an extra 4 days leave and I am definitely going to do that for next year!!

Hope you all recover soon

X

[Mrs_Glennie]

Oof, sorry to hear about mini Strawbs and trips to Kings. Sitting in A & E is not fun at all. Hope mini Strwabs is on the mend now?

Today I now have a sick husband to contend with too, on what was supposed to be my day to 'treat myself' and go into town...

So far all I've managed to do is make about 6 lots of rehydration solution for baby and dad and do endless loads of washing. Roll on Monday and being back in the office!!!

[Saffron]

Strawbs Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Mrs g I have experienced the same today actually..

> Mini strawbs has had something or another since

> starting but always able to go to nursery until

> yesterday.. Doc at 6pm, seldoc dulwich hospital

> 11.15pm, kings midnight, today docs 11am and kings

> again by midday just getting home now.. Thankfully

> I emailed my boss last night who said either work

> from home or not worry obv if I was back up to the

> hospital.. It's very hard when they are ill and

> you are at work!! Hoping he will be ok by Monday

> or its another day ill need to take but thankfully

> touch wood I won't have to use my annual leave.

>

> We have a process at work where we can buy an

> extra 4 days leave and I am definitely going to do

> that for next year!!

>

> Hope you all recover soon

>

> X

Try to look at the time off to care for your child as an investment, if it helps. I came across an article a while back which compared time spent with a parent vs other carer (grandparent, childminder, nanny etc). The conclusion was that when a parent directly cares for the sick child, it shortens the recovery time. xx