I enjoyed going back to work (Thinking of Going Back to Work?)

Member Name: emuk00

Product:	Thinking of Going Back to Work?
Date:	10/11/08 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: earning cash, getting some of your own independance back

Disadvantages: Not seeing my little girl everyday

I didn't even really get chance to think about whether I wanted to go back or not....I had to for financial reasons.

I was due 10th Feb, and finished work 31st Jan, and my little girl finally arrived 21st Feb.

I returned back to work the start of May when she was just 10 weeks old.

Maybe thats why I found it easier returning than some as I had only been with her for 10 weeks?

I started back 3 days a week, and my mum has her for the 3 days, then in Sept I was supposed to go back full time, but managed to have enough savings to top up my wage, so at present I am still on 3 days a week.

I think if my mum couldn't look after her I would have looked for another job and worked nights, as it wouldn't have been worht going to work if we would have had to have paid nursery fees.

I actually enjoyed going back to work, talking to other adults, feeling like me again, the person I was before my little girl came along. Don't get me wrong I love her to bits, but once you are married and have a child, I still feel you are 3 different people, a mother, a wife and yourself....and thats exactly what work did for me, made me myself again.

It then meant that the 2 days I had off with her I cherished more, and I looked forward to having the two days off with her.
It was also special when I would pick her up after work and she would get so excited to see me, thats something I will always remember...her excited little face.

It also give me a confindence boost

*Going back to work isn't that bad, I think if you get more worked up on it while on maternity leave, the worse you will make it. Try not to think about it too much while enjoying the time with your little baby, otherwise you will waste that presious little time you have left in total worry.

*You need to think about who is going to look after your little one, I am so glad my mum has her, she has learnt to be quite independant now, and I know she will get a lot of care and attention. If you do need to put them into nursey, research them well, and do a trial run a week before you go back so you can see how you both get on.

*work out if you have to put them in nursery is it worth the cost for what you would get in wages, I know child tax credits give about 30-40% of the costs back, but sometimes it isn't worth working

*start off really slowly, maybe go back for an afternoon and see if its what you want to do, or half a day and see how you feel.

Summary: I quite nejoy working 3 days and spending 2 with my little girl