Going Back to Work - Watertown,MA

First of all, if you need to cry at work, go ahead. I wouldn't weep openly at your desk, but if you need to take a few minutes for yourself in the ladies room, do it. I'm sure that if you work with reasonably caring people they will understand that the first day back is a tough one. Some practical things I do when I'm feeling bad about being at work:
1) Get really busy with work stuff. Focus on the task at hand and busy my mind and time goes faster.
2) Remind myself that my kids are in a great place, safe, having fun.
3) Remind myself that most dads go off to work, that we expect them too, and that their kids still love them very much at the end of the day.
4) Be honest with myself that even though I miss my kids very much in the moment, I wouldn't want to be home all the time.
5) When I drop my kids off, I make sure to tell them "you're going to have so much fun today! You're at the funnest place (or with the best person)!" etc etc. I don't tell them that I wish I were going to be with them or I'm so sad that I'm leaving them. I think it makes it better for all of us (even the baby). Then when I leave I believe that they're really going to have a great day, and so do they. My kids have never really been super sad at drop off, which makes leaving a million times easier.
6) Sometimes I call the daycare. But I only do this if I am 99% sure that they're going to be doing great (not crying, or overtired) because calling to find out that they're sad is really terrible. But calling to find out that they're having a great day is wonderful!

Good luck. The first couple of weeks are a little rough, but you will get in to a groove and things will go great.

I just saw your question now but can relate. How is it going?

I was able to have my mother/aunt/sister watch my firstborn when I returned to work. One thing I asked them to do was to write down his nap times and what he ate ...activities during the day... IT helped me feel more connected to him when I came home it also built conversation into the day for the caregivers and I. I always got him up in the morning to play before I left for work so that I would have that time with him. He was about3 months old when I returned to work so he did not have any separation anxiety issues.

Good luck.
C. W.
www.MyHomeCottageBiz.com
Supplemental Income Ideas for Families

Here's hoping that things are going well for you since you've gone back to work. I have two little ones (24 months and 11 months). I would take a little time to go and hide in the bathroom to cry. Feels better if you can let it out. Just make sure you bring a cold/damp paper towel to blot your eyes afterward. Then I'd have a cup of tea to calm down. Hopefully it will get easier as time goes on. I always joke that the best part of my day is when I get home. The kids won't let me out of their sight... but Iove every second of it!
Take care,
H.

Hi R., I have a 3yr old and I was in the same solution as you so I fixed the situtation by starting my own home based business. Because I could imagine anyone else taking care of my child while I was working. And I would have to say that the decision I have made I wouldn't have it any other way. If you are interested in more of what I have Please visit www.themomteam.com/achabre and go to the link to get more information or you can email me at ____@____.com and I will call you. I think it will get rid of the anxiety. Good Luck