Yesterday, I was fine. I even felt confident. I thought about how much Z will like having other kids to play with and how qualified his babysitter is and felt like he was not only going to be fine but thrive. But today I'm a mess, crying while I feed him, snuggling the crap out of him and wondering how I'll ever be able to leave him with someone else to care for him. What if he thinks Joe and I don't love him? How can anyone take care of him like we do?
It's a hard thing to go back to work. Logically I know Z will be fine but this is something I have no experience with so I'm having a hard time imagining it can be true even though I see examples around me. So I'm calling on all the working moms out there reading my blog- help a sister out. Give some words of encouragement and/or advice. Reassure a first time mom who has to drop off her baby come Monday.
Hey Mama chicken,
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the hardest things in the world to leave your baby and go back to work. There have been many mornings in the last 3 and half years that I cry on the way to work, but Isla has always thrived and Silas is currently thriving. I've found that they learn different things when cared for by someone else. Especially people very gifted with kids have a level of creativity that I lack. No one can love Z like you, but a good care giver can love them a lot! I look back on each situation I had with Isla and I feel so blessed! I'd love to be home full time with the babies, but they feel loved and secure since we make special time with them when we're home. With parents like you guys Z will always know he's loved, but they also gain an adaptability when cared for by someone else. Good luck my friend and I will pray for ease of transition.
Expect to ball. Daycares know how to handle it and will let you stay as long as you want and offer you plenty of hugs, probably even call you with updates and even send photos from the first day/week. It is hard, but it will all work out. He will love daycare and the fun of interacting with the other kids (more so when he starts moving and is a bit older). And he'll learn so much from the new environment and adults. Plus he'll have so many new toys and things to explore. Anytime HeeRak goes to pick Yoon-Mo up from daycare and notices him really enjoying a toy there, he says we have to get him one that is like it but better at home -- HeeRak says he can't like daycare toys more! Plus the first time Z shows excitement that you are there to pick him up will feel great. Good luck and we hope we can get a chance to meet the little guy soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's nerve-racking but I felt the biggest hurdle was having a care provider that I trusted and felt comfortable with. It warms my heart to see my kids put their arms out to her and talk about her on the weekends. Zander will thrive having other little kids around. Some days the kids (this includes Crystal's) don't even want to leave the sitters house because they're having too much fun! It's unfortunate we have to go back to work so soon :( You will truly appreciate, cherish and multi-task so much more being a working mommy! You won't be able to drive there fast enough after work and it will be completely worth it when he lights up upon seeing you! Good luck!.....Courtney
ReplyDeleteI feel you! I've had a couple of days that were so long that I missed G's bedtime. I surprised myself with how physically upset I felt. Not guilty, just sad, like an internal biological alarm was going off - WHERE IS BABY? MUST HOLD BABY! Overall though, I've found I need my time working and I come back to mommy time more recharged. Good luck!
ReplyDelete