A day most working mom's dread....returning to work. My husband and I are both teachers, and in that sense are extremely lucky that we got to spend the whole summer with Mia. I have truly had the most wonderful time over the past three months and I have loved every moment. But alas August is now here and with it my first day returning to work, along with my first day being away from my daughter. Mommy Tip: Try to schedule some time away from your baby to start to condition yourself for returning to work. Start with an hour and work your way up.
go with your husband, he would also truly appreciate the chance to have some couple time together. Mommy Tip: Plan a date night and go with your husband or significant other, they would also truly appreciate the chance to have some couple time together.I put off thinking about returning to work as long as I could. The closer you get, the more real it becomes, the more the feelings start to hit. Nothing prepared me for the range of emotions I felt in the day leading up to work and the day of. It is almost like going through the 2nd trimester of pregnancy or the 3 weeks after birth with the wild roller coaster ride of emotions. Let me just say that the crying will start the few days before and hit the hardest the night before.
Mommy Tip: See tip number two. After dealing with your irrational thoughts and the waterfall of tears, your significant other deserves a reward. They are going to be putting up with a lot of crazy from you.The day of returning to work finally arrived. The morning of I was so busy double checking that I had everything for work and that Mia had everything for the babysitters I could not focus on what was happening enough to cry. We walked out the door and drove to the babysitters, still focused on if I packed enough of everything. Finally we arrived, my husband unloaded her bags, play gym, and rocker, while I brought in the baby.
He came back once I was done and sat me down. He told me "Sam, there is no prize for not crying. No one is going to congratulate you for you not crying over missing her. That baby loves you. Remember when she was born and she kept quaking (her little cries sound like a duck, so cute), when did she stop? She stopped when she touched your cheek and heard your voice. That baby is not going to forget that or you. You are her mother and nothing is going to change that." He was right. My wonderful babysitter sent me several pictures throughout the day and updates. We even go to share a laugh over her massive poop which resulted in an outfit change (Never trust my daughter's farts, they are never just farts. Lol). I returned after work to find her happy and doing well. She smiled when she heard my voice and we snuggled all that night.
But the night before and that morning, all I wanted was my baby and for her to feel loved and not abandoned by her mother. (Again irrational thoughts, I warned you they were coming.) Nothing can describe the amount of guilt and pain you feel. I was there I went through it. But I just want to let you know that IT IS OKAY TO CRYYou will not win a prize for not crying. There are others going through the exact same experience, reach out to them. It does not make the guilt and pain feel less, but it does give you solace that you are not alone and that you will be able to make it through this for your baby. Find other working moms, find blogs, follow someone on Instagram, or a Facebook page. There are people out there who share in your feelings and would be more than happy to talk with you, myself included. You are not crazy and it is okay to have those feelings, but it is important to find your strength and carry on for your baby. Remember that you are doing this to give your child a better life and one day you and they will appreciate it, maybe not right now but one day.
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Author-SamanthaMommy and Music Educator all wrapped into one. Navigating the joyous world of motherhood, music, and education. Archives
October 2018
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