Only 4 weeks left :-( anyone else on the final countdown?

[PumpkinPie2013]

It's just dawned on me that I return to work four weeks today

I do like my job but will miss my little boy so much

Plus I have a new manager who I'm not that keen on and the person who has covered me hasn't done a good job at all (management know this) so I've got extra work to do to build the project up again.

My ds is currently doing one day per week in nursery and I'm supposed to be using the time to get organised before I go back.

Waaa I don't want to

Anyone else going back soon?

[Fourfourtwo]

I go back in 2.5 weeks, back tomorrow for a morning. Not looking forward to getting back on an early morning train!

Will miss DC a lot when I'm back, can't quite believe I won't be spending every day with her :-(.

[PumpkinPie2013]

Hi Four it's awful isn't it?

We've picked an excellent nursery for ds but would much rather be home with him. Sadly not an option

[Hopelass]

Not quite final countdown but I know where you're coming from. I go back in September after 13 months off and I'm already dreading it I had a nightmare about it the other night!! I suppose it's made worse by my PND but my GP is supportive and has made a note of when I go back so he'll help me "get in a better place" before then.

I also know that my maternity cover has been pants and so have a lot of catching up to do.

I wish I could stop worrying about it and enjoy the last weeks off!

[Fourfourtwo]

Oh I'm definitely in denial, worried that these last weeks are going to go so quickly. My DP is becoming a SAHD (although is supposed to be looking for a part time job too!) so hopefully the change won't be too great for DD but it doesn't take away from the fact that I won't be there.

Must be tough with PND Hopelass, sounds like your GP is on the ball though. Anxious times for all of us.

[lauren6283]

I'm back in about five weeks and absolutely dreading it. My manager has been an absolute idiot and made things ten times more difficult for me when trying to return to work and he was never that nice before either.

I feel so stressed out about it all. Not to mention I can't bear the thought of leaving my little boy :-( it's so hard worrying if they re going to be ok and is it going to affect them in the long run etc.

I don't think anyone understands what working mothers have to go through. It's horrible.

[PumpkinPie2013]

Hopelass pnd must be hard I'm glad your GP is supportive!

lauren sorry your manager is an idiot mine can be ok but we just don't seem to 'gel' very well my previous manager was ace but he's been promoted so no longer my manager

Aargh I want to pause time so I don't have to go back.

[Edgarallan]

Back in 4 weeks and also dreading it. Feel like I can't enjoy these last few weeks off as I am constantly thinking what I will be like!

[Cookiepants]

Back on Monday, for the night shift waaaaaahhh, I don't wanna!

[HugoTheHippo]

Yes - me! I'm back on 15th July, four days a week and although I know it's the right thing for me and our family I'm starting to get very wobbly. OP, I'm sorry you have a clean-up to do when you get back, but (trying to put a positive spin on things) at least you look good in comparison!

My new boss will be my maternity cover...

[PumpkinPie2013]

Hello to edga, cookie and hugo - sorry you're all experiencing the dreaded return to work feelings

hugo I hadn't thought of that! I know I can do the clear up but it's just crap thinking about it maternity cover as boss is worse so you win on that one!

I know me going back is best for us as we would struggle on DH wage alone but thinking about it isn't fun.

3 weeks to go!

[tumbletumble]

I'm going back to work in Sept (when my youngest starts school) after 9 years as a SAHM! I'm so nervous but also really looking forward to resurrecting my career.

Good luck all of you.

[Looseleaf]

tumbletumble this is what I'm just starting to plan too though after 8 years out for the children. Our youngest will only be starting nursery (9-3) and I'm used to being with him full-time which I know I've been so lucky to do.

I am seeing a recruiter next week and looking at both full time and part time roles- a friend of mine said to find the job first and worry about child care later. But I sometimes get a panicked feeling about DS I don't think I'd get if he was a year older and more independent. I don't know whether to listen to this or just trust that he'll adapt!

[Edgarallan]

Thanks pumpkin! Tumble all the very best to you for the new job.

Feeling so down on a lovely family holiday this week but just can't take my mind off work. When I was on a KIT day last week I closed my eyes for 2 seconds and listening to the familiar babble from my colleagues I just felt so sick.

Think I just can't understand how time seems to have sped up! Really wanted to go back PT but work were rubbish :-( think I will look for PT job elsewhere but pre mat leave I loved my job. Just feel so full of resentment that work wouldn't give me any leeway regarding working flexibly.

[tumbletumble]

Thanks Edgarallan! I agree that's rubbish of your work. Maybe try going back and looking for PT elsewhere - they might suddenly become more accommodating if you are actually on the point of leaving. My friend had to do this when she went back to work.

Good luck looseleaf. I thought it would be a nightmare finding something after so long out of the loop, but I've been lucky and it was easier than I expected. I'm still worried about DS2 starting reception and me going back to work at the same time, as he still seems so little to do a full day every day plus before and after school childcare on some days (he's been doing 9-12 this year). But I'm trusting it will all work out ok in the long run!

[PumpkinPie2013]

Good luck looseleaf

Well, two weeks left now

Ds is settling ok at nursery but he has had a bug this week so couldn't go on Fri. He's going Thursday and Friday this week.

I'm planning to use the days to do some house organising or everything will go to pot once I'm back.

Think my first job will be sorting the freezer out ready to stock up.

Then start room by room 'spring' cleaning.

Got a meeting with my manager tomorrow to sort out everything before I return.

Just all feeling too real now

Panicking about how I'll cope with working full time, keeping on top of the house and spending quality time with ds!

I'm tired just thinking about it

[purpleme12]

I'm going back in August am so upset I don't belong there anymore I belong here

[KipT77]

I'm on countdown for the first week of Aug too. SOB. Its hard isn't it! I mean, I knew it would be hard, but it's hard! I like my job and the people and do want to go back but I also want to snuggle DS under the duvet and lock the door rather than work.

[purpleme12]

I'm not even that keen on my job. The people are ok but so so many have left now - probably more than are still there and things changed weekly in my job (they're still trying to turn the company around) so god knows how many things will have changed while I've been off. So I won't know anyone hardly. People won't know me. I'll feel out of place. So upset

[purpleme12]

Am starting to feel really nervous when i think it's so close. Its the end of the best time of my life. And baby's nursery should be calling me any day now to organise some settling in time for her :-(

[Fizbo]

I'm going back this month. I felt ok about until today when I received a email from work. It just reminds me of how much I don't like my job. I love the work, it's some of the people that spoil it. I'm trying to keep positive. I'm sure after a few weeks it won't be so bad (I hope)

[PumpkinPie2013]

Well, one week today I go back

Don't even want to think about it

[BookWormGirl]

Hi All,

How has it been for those if you that have returned recently? As bad as you anticipated?
I'm due back in September after a relatively short ml of 8 months and I'm dreading leaving my LO. Childcare is being provided by family so no issues there - it's just the fact that it isn't 'me'. I also feel resentful that I'm returning earlier than most other mum's. I agreed to return early (when pregnant) and really regret it as I feel like I need and want more time with my LO. I've already pushed my return date back by 2 months and don't think I can push it back again as my boss will be seriously unimpressed with me and I'm worried it'll cause bad blood going forward. My request to work p/t has been rejected so I'll be going back f/t, although I'm using accrued holiday to work just 4 days a week initially. Waaaa! I just want to cry.

Anyhow sorry for my little rant - I really hope those of you that have returned have found it easier than you thought.

[Edgarallan]

Today was my first full day back.... Ekkk not as bad as expected although DS has been going to nursery for a month few times a week so this helped not make today as big a deal as it could have been! Would strongly recommend doing this if you can.
Bookworm my part time request was also rejected so I know how you feel :-(
Did an interview for dream PT role so hoping that comes through :-/

[BookWormGirl]

Hi Edga. Really pleased to hear your first day back was better than expected - it gives me hope that mine will be the same. Oh and fab news about the interview - fingers crossed you get it :)

[Lalalablah]

I go back in 14 weeks or so. I know it seems like loads but I will have had about 13 months off. It's my second lot of long mat leave in 3 years. Without outing myself my job is very stressful and is literally life or death in a critical area (HCP). To say I am bricking it is an understatement. I am going to start some reading on things this weekend.