Return to Work After Mat Leave

Hi

Well everyone told me the build-up is worse than the reality and how right they all were...

Walking around the office I felt like I never left and everyone made me feel so welcomed and valued - was wonderful and like a tonic.  A much needed tonic.

The train though felt odd.  For 18 months I have been a special case either travelling with a baby inside or on the outside.  Travelling alone felt VERY odd.  As I put on 7kg (due to Xmas and winter hibernating) one lady even offered me a seat! Oh dear!  And that didn't happen when I had a HUGE bump...

So how was the week...?

Tuesday I left home at 7:10 and Aaron woke at 7:08 crying, so I cuddled him for 2 minutes and left him with Dad which was hard as he had not yet stopped crying.

Wednesday I left home at 7:10 and he woke at 7.

But Thursday he must've been more settled as I left at 7:10 but he did not wake till 7:40.

Normally I would breatsfeed him back to sleep but the husband couldn't do that ... and as Aaron is bottle fed too I hadn't organised myself to express.

Monday night he took till 12:30 to get to sleep which was crazy.... but Tuesday night and Wednesday night it was 10:30.  After a busy week he was asleep by 9:30 Friday night, probably because he got a lot of fresh air Friday.... BUT we slept in, both of us, till 10 a.m. Friday... so you'd think he'd then stay up late, but no, we both needed it.

I got smiles and giggles every evening when I came home.

Luckily hubby was off this week so he dropped him at Sandra's the 3 days at 10 a.m. and picked him up Tues at 1 and Wednesday at 3 and Thursday at 1.  Wednesday was the only day he did not go to his Mum's after, which meant Tues and Thurs I had to meet them there after work, when all I wanted to do was come straight home.

The week went really well, but it was hard to detach from Aaron.

Tuesday I felt a bit brain numb with so much to take in but by Wednesday I was working at full speed and achieved a lot in the latter 2 days.  My mat cover was with me all day Tuesday.

All 3 days I got to work at 8, leaving bang on 5 the first two days, but stayed till 5:30 Thursday, and did have the BlackBerry on all day Friday replying to some emails.

I am determined not to become a workaholic again though.

Every night I packed all of his bags for the next day.  I am glad he started off with half days at childcare which was a gentle start for him and the way I wanted it to be.

It was only during the week that I realised the advantages for me.  I wasn't walking down the road like a pack horse early morning and wasn't collecting him, so it was a gentle start for me toooo.  Next week will be closer to reality with me collecting him, BUT husband will drop him, and he has him all day on 13th.

I was so very upset in the run up to returning, like it was the end of an era, BUT it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected, and I think Aaron had a good week.

I've never been good at delegating and delegating my biggest creation, my ultimate responsibility was the hardest thing of all.  But I have survived to tell the tale.

I am so glad Aaron's nearly 10 months and that I didn't go back at 6 months which WOULD have been too soon for both of us.

Liska x