Going to work after baby?

[BeckaUS]

Did anyone go back to work (or start working) soon after having their baby?

What was the hardest part?

What helped the most?

This divorce getting very nasty. Long story short, he left bruises on me, for the last time. So, I filed charges and he is sitting in jail. I may have to go to work now or at least after the baby is born. I am scared about having to adjust to a baby and working at the same time so I am wondering how others dealt with it.

[Lori]

:hugs I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'm glad to hear that you're safe from your husband right now.

I was a grad student when I had my son, and I went back to classes and teaching when he was 4 months old. I was only out of the house for about 15 hours a week, though. It went very smoothly for me.

Aside from my husband, I found an extremely reliable babysitter (after having a very unreliable first babysitter). She was fantastic. Thomas loved her, and I never had to worry about her forgetting about watching him or cancelling for frivilous reasons.

Have you looked into getting any sort of state aid, so that you could at least have some time before you would need to go back to work? Do you know what sort of child support/alimony you'll be able to get?

[BeckaUS]

I had not really considered getting aid yet. They have a job opening IN my town for a social worker (which I am scared to pass up) and it is decent pay. I did check out daycare which I can get on the waiting list for. I think I would feel better if I was working.

Due to other circumstances, he may be in jail a while and if he is, I will have no income and no insurance.

Everything is just very up in the air right now and I am trying to consider all of my options.

[Renita]

I went back to work after my maternity leave was over - so about 3 months each for both girls. With my oldest, we put her in a home daycare, which I loved!!! With our youngest daughter, we opted for a nanny and she worked out great until my youngest was about 10 months old. After that, we put them both in Montessori school.

The hardest part for me was balance - I was trying to do everything all the time (I still do) and I was missing out on spending quality time. So I put all my cleaning & work off until naptime or bedtime. I make more of an effort to spend good quality time with the girls. Also I am a planner - so I plan meals, I plan outfits, routine is very key....kids love a routine.

stay safe and hope you are able to figure something out!

[Beka]

You may want to ask the employer about company daycare- alot of larger employers (such as state welfare departments) do have provision for childcare or recommended providers they can advise you on. Also they may have some form of assistance financially with that, I know in England many companies are doing this to support the return of educated women into the employment sector after childbirth.

I am truly sorry to hear you've been put in a position with little choice though.

[kcmomma]

I went back to work at 6 weeks. But I was lucky that I only had to work for 4 weeks until the school year ended, and then I was off for the summer. I had a VERY reliable babysitter for those 4 weeks, and another when I went back to work at the beginning of the school year in the fall. It was tough for those first 4 weeks, but I think the fact that I knew I only had 4 weeks before the school year would be done, was what kept me sane. Then AND again in the fall, I did as much as possible the night before...still do. I set out clothes the night before, pack lunches, and have breakfast ready, and everything ready for work.

Good luck!! Know that others have done this before and there are services and people out there to help