Any Bengali mums in or near Surbiton area?

Hey. I know your message was a while ago but thought I’d still shoot my shot! I’m in New Malden so not far. I lived in Surbiton for a couple years. Feel free to message me :)

Hey Rahima how's it going? I have been inactive for a while but have back on today. Funny that I used to live in new Malden and then moved to Surbiton

Nah I grew up I Twickenham, I moved to new Malden when I got married and then moved to Surbiton after a year

Yes east London is very far from us

I have an 11 month old and returning to work in March

How are you finding motherhood

Well I have a 5 year old too. He was born during the first lockdown in April 2020, so this time round it’s been a very very different experience! Have you been able to attend any parent and baby groups in your area? West Barnes library does a great interactive story session on Mondays. Have you been? How do you feel about going back to work? Will your little one go to nursery or child minder?

How has it been different? Tbh I don't really attend these parent and baby groups because they tend to be in the morning and I struggle to make those times even when they are local. I've not been to the West Barnes library session, what time? I don't mind going back to work but I'm really worried about childcare. I have family support nearby (Sutton, Staines, Twickenham and Hounslow) but it's not something I can rely on all day everyday. I work in the city 9:30-5:30 and wfh one or two days every week. My husband wfh and heads out locally 3 or 4 of the week usually between 11:30-4pm. I'm wondering whether I'll even manage to take care of her myself when I'm wfh or will it be too much

You had your first during Covid so am I right in assuming you managed childcare between yourselves?

What's your plan when you go back to work

I need to start my mornings earlier so I can attend these parent and baby groups. I've gotten used to baby waking up at 8, playing in the bed until 9, starting breakfast at 9:30 and before you know it it's 11am and time for her nap

I love having alone time with me and baby now while they’re both at work but they also do some days at home which helps. I live with my MIL so you can imagine some of the unsolicited advice I get! But she’s a lot better on that front and I’m better at ignoring her now 😆

My mental health took a battering first time round and part of that was not having a routine and getting out enough so this time round I do try to do more things with baby, but I am a home body so I’m not one of those mums doing 2-3 classes a week! 1 or 2 baby sessions are enough for me. I’ve loved using a baby carrier this time round and I wish so much I bought a really expensive one with my first and spent less on buggy/prams!