How do working mother's do it? I have spent the past 12 weeks raising, caring for, nurturing and falling in love with my son. I have had all hours of the day to play with him, change diapers and feed him bottles. Here we are at week 13, means it is back to work for me. My first day back to work was Wednesday, but I started taking Jonah to daycare on Monday. As a new mother, I had not been looking forward to the day I would have to take Jonah to daycare. I was not worried about how Jonah will do. He is in good hands and I like his teachers. Call me selfish but I enjoyed having him all to myself during the day. Of course I would gladly share this time with one other person, my husband. Ok two people, my husband and dad who would come to visit every week on Wednesday. I know I will eventually get use to working again, but I must admit that being back at work is hard for me at this time.
Sunday evening came along and I cried myself to sleep thinking about Monday morning. In fact, I have cried every night since Sunday. I guess this is natural. I am sad to think that the teachers at daycare will spend more time with my boy while he is awake than I will. They will feed him more bottles than I will. The bottles I do get to feed him are first thing in the morning and the late evening bottle. Both of these bottles put Jonah to sleep, but that is ok because there is nothing sweeter than your baby asleep on your chest. I did manage to rush home today in time to feed him at 5:00. Kris had started the bottle and shared the responsibility.
Everyone has been really sweet to me at work. All of the mother's sympathize with me and let me know they know what I am going through. Surprisingly the work side of my brain turned back on quickly. I am thankful for this.
Today I wrote out the pros and cons to coming back to work:
Pros: Taking the stairs in the morning to the office is a lot easier when you are not pregnant. I have another reason to look forward to the weekend. I am surrounded by adults again.
Cons: I don't get to feed him as often as his teachers at daycare. I have less time with him when he is awake.
I know I will get use to being a working mom. It is not an easy task but I am up for the challenge.
We have developed a nighttime routine that helps Jonah recognize it is bedtime. I call it the B's of bedtime: Bath, Baby Massage, Bottle, Bed or Baby Massage, Bottle, Bed. There are only three B's when it is not bath night. He slept from 8:30 until 4:45 this morning. I have to wake him up for his morning bottle at 5:00 so this worked out well.
Here are more pictures:
My happy Froggie
Uncle Matt and Aunt Kelly with Jonah
Jonah with Aunt Sharon
Grandma playing with Jonah
Jonah playing with Daddy in the Bumbo chair
4 comments:
Even though I have worked for 33 years and my youngest child is 26.... I still miss my children when I am at work and wonder what they are doing during the day. Nothing puts a smile on my face faster than to glance over at their pictures on my desk!
becoming a working mom was the hardest transition i ever went through. i looked at every possible way to stay home. after changing jobs to something less stressful, but still working 9-5, i soon found out that it does get easier. i promise. i've learned to really appreciate and love daycare. the teachers get to love on the babies all day, then we get to love on them all evening. it's really great for me -- when i take care of tay all day (like on the weekends), i get so tired sometimes and i feel like my stress is passed onto her. she sees my energy levels drop, and i hate that. i want to be happy, fun mommy all the time. and, for me, that's hard when i'm busy taking care of her all day. daycare keeps her busy during the day, and i am refreshed and ready for some taylor love in the evenings. i'd never think i'd say this, but i love that taylor doesn't even wave goodbye in the mornings. she just jumps out of my arms are says "scoo!" and run to the classroom. she loves it. and you will too...
Going back to work takes strength and I admire you for doing it.
Jonah is adorable. I still see Kris in him but I think I also saw your smile!
Kate
where are you? we need new posts, mama!! new pics of jonah please :)
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