End of maternity leave

Oh my god my heart breaks for you 😢 Where do you live that you have such bad maternity leave??

Oh my goodness, I’ll be dreading going back after a year (9 months- 1 year is pretty standard in Ireland & the UK)! I can’t imagine what you’re feeling. The only solace I can offer is that at least your baby won’t be experiencing object permanence yet, so you won’t necessarily have a tough settling in period where baby is crying when you leave. When they’re old enough for that, they’ll be settled already so you won’t have to deal with that guilt. My heart breaks for you though 💔

Sorry, correction, he is 3 1/2 months not weeks! Standard maternity leave is 12 weeks but I took an extra 4 weeks. I live in the US

Wishing I lived in another country! 🥲

I'm so sorry. I know how tough it is. I felt all the same things when I had to go back to work and, now, 2 years later, I'm going to tell you it's all going to be ok. You'll find yourself a year from now crying when your LO is ready to move up to the next class and again at this one because he loves his teachers so much and they've become a part of your village and your family. I'm not going to pretend it's all sunshine and rainbows but it's far easier for them to acclimate now than later. You'll deal with some childhood illnesses earlier because it's just like sending your child to preschool early - lots of germs - but it will get better and by the second year, their immune systems are so much better. Our LO barely got sick the second year at all.

I recommend also posting only in US groups. There's a really good subreddit called r/workingmoms on Reddit that is very supportive. I find when you post in international groups, you're going to get a lot of "I can't believe you have to go back so soon" which is just not going to make you feel any better. It sucks for us as moms in the US but the best you can do is vote for change and make the best of it. Sending love your way 🫶🏻