working moms
I have been staying home with my son for almost 3 years. It has recently come up that I might have to go back to work. I don't really want to, but I don't really have a choice. I was just hoping to hear from others moms who work and how you deal with it...I can't help but feeling guilty that I am letting my son down.
Working
I have been a stay at home mom for only 3 months and I might have to go back to work also. I too feel very guilty especially bc my son is so young. We have to remember that women do it all the time. Alot of them only get 6 weeks off work. So consider yourself lucky for the 3 years you did get at home! I am sure everything will be ok, don't beat yourself up over it! It will be alot of work at first but you'll get into a routine and everything will be just fine.
Working is not so bad...
I have been a full time student and after that have stayed at home, worked full time, worked part time, and am now back to full time. I don't feel that I am letting my kids down in any way, I still spend quality time with them everyday after work and also make sure that I am there to do all activities (such as school meetings, playgroups, etc.) that any other stay at home mom would do. There are times when I do feel guilty (as all moms do) but also I think of it this way, if I want my kids to have the life they deserve then I have to work, therefore I am doing what's best for my family and my children are very, very happy. It all works out for the best!
working
I have a 5 year old son and 9 month old daughter. After I had my son I stayed at home for about 18 months and then I went back to work because we wanted to get a house. I probably looked at 15 daycares and got 3 job offers that I turned down (i was scared) before my husband finally told me either stop going to interviews and stay at home or stop finding something wrong with every daycare we go to. I thought he was right I was finding something wrong with everyone. So I took the next offer I got and I have been there for 3 1/2 years now. It was hard at first because he cried everyday but it got better and ended up loving daycare. Please though follow what your gut tells you to do. The first daycare I took him to I had that feeling in my gut but I blew it off and nothing major happened but little stuff here and there that I didnt like at all. I pulled him out after about 4 months and have been 100% happy ever since. I was very nervous about leaving my new daughter there at 8 weeks old. I never had to leave a infant at daycare before. I did trust them but still its a baby. I work about 7 minutes away from the daycare so I would go on my lunch and visit and call ALL the time. I forgot something one time and my husband had to drop it off at daycare about 1 hour after I dropped her off and she was crying when he got there and her face was blotchy.....oh i was not a happy mommy. I called and then went there on my lunch and then called again. I told them....she is not a baby that cries so she never needs to be crying like that again. And it has never happened again. Now looking back at the situation all babies cry and I had a friend that kids go there and she got there about 5 minutes before my husband and she wasnt crying then....I think its ok to overreact when it comes to your baby....they know I am not going to put up with stuff.. Dont get me wrong I LOVE there daycare and would recommend it to anyone...bailey loves going there. She even reaches for them when I drop her off...It really isnt that bad. Just make sure you trust whoever watch your child.
Working Mom Here
I have been working since I was 13 years old. When I was pregnant for my first son I was alone and had to do everything myself. So, I work 6 days a week 12 hours shifts while caring him. 10 working days after I gave birth I had to go back to work. I couldn't afford to take off the 6 weeks. I missed him so much and felt guilty but knew that if I didn't work and get food on the table and a roof over our heads we could become homeless. When I got married and had my second son, my husband quit his job the first 48 hours that I was home with out son leaving me to go back to work the following Monday. I never got the time to stay home with them and just enjoy due to I never had a choice but to work. I have remarried to a wonderful man and when we first got together he told me I could stay home it was ok with him. I tried it. But, by then the kids were in school at least part time. SO... no kids at home I felt guilty for staying home and went back to work. Staying home is not right for everyone and if you can afford to stay home with young children I say GO AHEAD! But with today's market it seems like both parents have to work just to stay afloat. I am off for two weeks due to I took a new job and both kids are at school. I find you can only clean the house so much and I am so ready to go back to work! Good luck on your decision!