My maternity leave ends this week. The boys are going to daycare for the first time tomorrow, and I'm a sobbing hot mess. I don't know how I am going to get through this transition. It just feels soo terribly wrong, but financially, we don't have a choice.
Any tips for a smooth transition or anyone just want to commiserate?
I. Am. Sad. Face.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
oh sweetie!! I just want to give you a huge hug!! I'm so sorry!!! No advice... but feel free to vent away!!!
nectarine / 2280 posts
It sucks so bad. I cried the first 2 days. It does get better. I started work on a Wednesday ( cause that's grilled cheese day) and worked the Thursday. I'm allowed to take Fridays off (no pay) for 3 months as a way to transition back.
Honestly, coworkers were a good distraction. I still missed my LO and I felt horrible leaving her.
Prep as much as you can the night before.
apricot / 382 posts
I felt just as you are describing when I returned to work. See if your daycare provider can send some pictures throughout the day. That helped me to limp through the first few weeks. I also gave them a heads up that I planned to call and check in on my lunch break. It helped to know how my lo was doing each day. I have been back to work about six months, and I will say we have settled into a routine, and it has gotten easier. I still have days when I tear up leaving her and I find that Mondays are the worst days for me. I make sure to put on some happy music on my way to work to help cheer me up. Hang in there. I hope your heart feels better soon!!
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
The first week was really hard but I started to enjoy work, coworkers and making money! I looked at a lot of pictures and videos of LO throughout the day.
Good luck!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
:(((( It really does, and it's hard at first but gets easier.
Looking at pictures and videos definitely helps!!
nectarine / 2973 posts
The first couple of weeks were hard but then it really does get better! Leaving is always the hardest for me but once I'm at work it gets easier. And getting to chat with my co workers again is a bonus. Definitely have some pictures and videos to look at through the day 
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
It sucks!!! No denying that. But everyday gets a little easier. Last week was easy for me. Then yesterday I cried again leaving her. Knowing the teachers love her and have been wonderf in helping her get adjusted helps. Call as often as you want to check on them. Wear water proof mascara. Look at pictures all day. It is okic you watch the clock the whole first couple days cause you just want to go pick them up.
Hugs!!!! They will do great, have fun during the day, but will have big smiles for when you pick them up.
GOLD / coconut / 8266 posts
I'm so sorry! Baby is overdue by a day and I'm already mourning the lost time because I have to go back to work in September also due to financial reasons. Stay brave and hopefully it will get better!
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
My experience was different but, I loved returning to work. I had a few difficult days, like when my son cried in the morning "no school" and I lost it at work. I haven't BTDT with putting an infant in daycare, but my 2 cents is that it would have been easier on us as a family if we started earlier.
Hang in there mama!
apricot / 349 posts
@Mrs. Blue: I want to give you a big bear hug { ^_ ^ }!
going back to work was initially tough because i enjoyed spending 3 months with my little guy; but i knew it was inevitable that the day would come when i returned to work. The night before I felt like i was counting down the number of hours...minutes...i had left to spend with my little guy and was crying as each hour went by.
look at photos/videos of your little ones while you are at work...things will get easier over time!
stay strong!
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I can't believe it's that time for you already!!! I'm still preggo, but have been dreading going back to work since the beginning of the 3rd trimester. 12 weeks seems way too little to send off to daycare for 12 hour days!!! *tear*
grapefruit / 4823 posts
big hugs! the first few days were hard, but eventually I came to terms with it :o( it is sad...they are so young. doesn't seem fair.
pear / 1510 posts
I was a mess the weeks before LO went to day care. I was lucky in that the first few weeks she was there, I was able to work shorter days. Is that a possibilty for you? I also went and nursed her during my lunch. That helped with my comfort level with the day care and her teachers. LO is now 5 months old and honestly, I still wish I could stay home with her all day, but it's much much better.
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
It is really hard at first, but it does get easier. Not easy, but easier. Hang in there momma! Hugs!
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@littlek: I totally agree.
@Mrs. Blue: I was anxious about returning to work during my entire maternity leave. And I cried every day the week before I went back to work. The first couple of days back I just felt numb . . . After that, I cried most mornings in the bathroom while I was getting ready to go. There is no way anyone who hasn't had to go back to work (/leave their baby every day) can even begin to understand the feeling of your heart being ripped in two every time you walk out the door. I still miss LO tremendously during the day, but it is easier and less traumatic every day. Big (((hugs))) mama!
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
@BlueWolverine: They will only be in daycare for a half day today and tomorrow, but after that I have to be at work for full days. 
Thanks for all the encouragement! I'm dropping them off for the afternoon today. I'm trying to distract myself this morning by getting everything ready.
pomegranate / 3401 posts
*hugs* your way! I go back in July and although it will have been 5 months off (I know, I'm lucky!) I'm still dreading it. the only thing that makes it better is that grandma will be watching LO...
pear / 1570 posts
::hugs mama::
i swear it becomes part of the routine. i was so sad and angry the week before i went back. we were in the same position, financially i have to work. now that he is 11.5mo it is easier.
you will miss your babies but you will also enjoy having a cup of coffee and eating your lunch.
you can do this xoxo
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@littlebittyhouse: You make an excellent point . . . even through my sadness, I did appreciate being able to pee without having to figure out what to do with LO (or wear her, lol!).
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
@Mrs. Blue: Now, when I drop off LO, he waddles away from me to go play with his friends. I love the socialization he gets at daycare and the teachers love them soooo much. Of course, the best part is that smile you get when you go pick them up at the end of the day!!
grapefruit / 4235 posts
@Mrs. Blue: it gets easier, I promise! Hang in there.
ETA: lists are my best friend. Here's mine from my first day back:
clementine / 750 posts
It sucks. I had to go back after sixteen weeks and I cried and cried leading up to going back. The first week and a half was extremely hard as she would hardly take a bottle. She started a bottle strike around three months old and we tried everything. She finally got the bottle after three days one week, the entire following week and than walla on Monday took a bottle.
Financially we need me to work, for many reasons,. I wish I didn't half to, but I'm trying to make the best of it.
Pumping at work is hard, but that's another post. I do recommend getting as much together the night before as you can.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@dagret: Did you forget the baby? I didn't make a list but I checked my bags likes 3 times. I had dropped off diapers and wipes the week before so I wouldn't forget those.
pomegranate / 3895 posts
I have no words of advice, as we haven't been there yet, but just wanted to say how sucky it is that you're going through this and to send you some hugs. Hang in there, mama. You're doing your very best for those boys.
pomegranate / 3398 posts
It gets easier. The first week was the hardest for me. I'm almost at a month back now and it's just part of our routine.
grapefruit / 4235 posts
@Smurfette: @NorCalWayfarer: you know I haven't forgotten him yet, though I have forgotten pump parts at home and breastmilk at the office.
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