Going back to work has been pretty stressful for me. I know, you're not surprised. Well besides taking a new position and trying to learn the ropes for that, I've had to figure out a routine for my daughter and myself and one that works for both of us.
The first day of work was hard because you've been at home for a while now with your precious new baby, and now all of a sudden you're not with her for 7+ hours. Its weird, sad and very emotional. I'd say that you just have to know it will get better and keep as busy as possible at work that first week. I know that my daughter is happy at day care, safe at day care and well cared for. However, there is this secret hope that she doesn't love it all that much, so that she won't want to be there instead of with me. A wise mom told me: that NO ONE can replace mom. And it's true. As much as she loves day care, she loves mom (and dad) more.
So I've come to terms with the going to work, day care thing, but figuring out a routine was stressful too. The first week I came home each day from work exhausted, and I felt I had to 'put on a show' for my daughter, play with her, and be the best mom ever, since I didn't see her all day. And feed her. And bath her. And put her to bed. And prepare all her food & bottles for the next day. And feed and walk the dog. And figure out dinner. And then get up and do it all over again. Ok, ok, my husband helped a lot with all this too. But it was still exhausting for both of us! All I have to say is: it gets easier. I've figured out that I can relax with my daughter after work, feeding her and bathing her have become less stressful as we both expect it and can relax about it and not feel the need to rush into either of them. I've found too that preparing all her bottles and meals the night before is super helpful on the morning side, so I could just get up feed her and get out the door.
My daughter is 7 months as I write this post and as she grows she's been getting easier and more fun to play with and be around. She can sit up now and that has made all the difference, as I don't have to constantly put her in something to get all the chores done. I can sit her down with me on the floor while I'm folding laundry or sit her down in the kitchen while I prepare her lunch for the next day. I know that soon she will be mobile and that is going to throw a monkey wrench into everything. But for now, I'm learning to go with the flow and try to let go of the stress.
