Am I mad for wanting to go back to work sooner?

@Natalie so hard isn’t it! I think that’s what’s triggered me too it was my works do Friday and I miss them all so so much! Just the social side of it and feeling appreciated I think. And don’t get me wrong looking after him is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done but I feel like I’m losing myself at the same time 😭 I don’t want to even ask my MIL about the childcare because I worry she’ll think I’m a rubbish mum and don’t care 😫😫

I go back to work in May and my little one will be just 6 months old. I’m having to go back full time, however i work from home on Tuesdays so she can stay with me then, other than that she’s going to nursery. I think it’s really good for their social development even at a young age. However i have decided when she’s at school age i will go part time so i am able to pick her up from school every day as when she gets older i know she will start to remember if i was there or not. But do what’s best for you, ive had a lot of advice and the happier you are as a mom doing what you need to do, the happier the baby. You do what you need to do for your family, don’t worry about what anybody else thinks.

I get what you’re saying as I love my career and work too but your work/career you’ll always get back no matter when you go back but the time whilst your baby is a baby you’ll never get back. They also change a lot from what they’re like now to a year like constantly change so I think you may regret not being around as much after 6 months

I am back to work early February and LO will be 4 months then. I love my team but my full pay maternity leave will stop then and I need the money. You do what's best for you xx

@Danielle yeah I think this is what I’m worried about. I won’t be able to take the full 12 months anyway unfortunately due to financial reasons but I’d have to go back July time so he’d be 9 months xx

I went back to work when my first baby was 6 months old. I don’t think it’s ’too soon’ but it’s such a personal choice. I knew I wasn’t going to have a huge gap between babies so I didn’t want to take a full year for my first and derail my career, plus it would have mostly been unpaid. However, I did struggle with weaning him due to the timing coinciding with my return to work, and I also absolutely hated pumping all the time (ebf baby). You might also want to try and negotiate your hours if you can, so that you get a decent amount of time with your baby before their bedtime. I managed to change mine so I started and finished early, so I could pick him up at 4pm and have a good few hours with him before bed.

I’m going back part time in Jan. I’m really lucky to have a flexible position though and will be mostly from home/fitting it around baby’s schedule. But I’m looking forward to having some routine back. I wanted to go back full time when he is 10-12 months but right now can’t find a nursery I like which is stressing me out. Honestly you will get judged whatever you do so do what feels right for you! Before I got pregnant I always knew I wanted to return to work quite soon. I know lots of SAHMs who were really unhappy and lost their identity and I didn’t want that to happen to me (not saying that’s true for everyone but I love working)

I'm going back in March the day after my LG turns 5 months (would have been older but she was 2 weeks late) as we can't afford for me to be off longer as I only get SMP from work. I wish I could stay off longer as I want to make the most of her being little. I haven't been at work since the first week of July due to school holidays and starting mat leave at 38 weeks (she's 10 weeks) & miss the social aspect of work as my colleagues are like a second family to me

I'm going back in March the day after my LG turns 5 months (would have been older but she was 2 weeks late) as we can't afford for me to be off longer as I only get SMP from work. I wish I could stay off longer as I want to make the most of her being little. I haven't been at work since the first week of July due to school holidays and starting mat leave at 38 weeks (she's 10 weeks) & miss the social aspect of work as my colleagues are like a second family to me

Don't do things because of social expectation. I went into my office for the first time since having the little one (8 weeks) and part of me was happy my friend wanted to hold the baby so I could give advice to my team. You are not just a mum. I would wait until February and see how you feel. I wanted to go back within 18 weeks, I'm now deciding to delay my return. It's your choice... Your baby will love you whatever you decide xx