Scared about going back to work.?

Question

I am starting a new job at a day care thursday and i have mixed feelings. My daughter is 7 months old and i have been a stay at home mom. I spend 27-7 w/ her and i absolutly love it. Im scared we are going to loose the close bond we have from being togather all the time. Im scared she wont like it there or i wont be able to spend time w/ her. Am i just being stupid and or is this normal for a first time mother and what have you done in similar situations to calm fears?

Answer 1

IT's COMPLETELY NORMAL. Let me tell you one thing though, the total truth. If anything, it STRENGTHENS your bond! I went back to work when my daughter was 16 months old and it was the hardest thing ever. When I got home from work and she wanted nothing but hugs and love, it was the best feeling in the world! Good luck to you, I know what it feels like!

I don't think it ever got "easier" to leave her, but it was even more wonderful and cherished every minute I was home with her.

Answer 2

You can keep a good bond with your little girl. It will be harder for you to go back to work than it will be for your little one. Kids at this age are pretty good about new settings. You are not being stupid at all. You are about to trust someone with your child. As a mother it is completely normal and natural to feel the way you do. To ease your fears and feel better about the situation try and get to the childcare you are bringing her whenever you get the chance. Try and just stand back and watch her. See how she does (try not to let her see you). You might be surprised at how happy she is there.

Now I have worked in childcare a long time. I will tell you that if you feel uncomfortable with the place you are bringing her don't bring her there. If you find a place that makes you comfortable it will be much easier to leave her there. Here are some tips of a place to look for

1. Low turnover rate. If they have new workers in all the time that is not so great for the kids...or you. Ask the daycare how long the workers have worked there.
2. The place is clean, bright, warm, and has a loving feeling. Get down on the floor and sit with your child. While she looks around and plays for a minute, look around the room. Do you see any safety hazzards? Are you comfortable where you are sitting? Since your child will play a lot on the floor look at it from her point of view and make sure it's safe
3. Is the staff warm and inviting?
4. How is the staff treating other kids?
5. Lots of people in the daycare business will tell you not to come and visit at lunch time. That is the best time to go, it's the busiest time of the day. See how the employees handle the stress of that busy time...are they nice with the kids? are they taking time to respond to the children properly?
6. Find out what your state ratio requirements are. In my state it's 4 infants to everyone 1 adult. I personally think that is too many...but to each his own
7. Are all the employees CPR and first aid certified?
8. Does your child seem happy to be there?
9 Do the other children there seem happy? Is there enough toys and things for them to do? Or are they all fighting over one favorite toy?
10. Are all the employees background checked for violent crimes?

* even if all of these things check out, if you still don't feel good about the place don't go there. All daycares are different with some work you can find one that works perfect for you and your family.

Good Luck! I know this can be a hard thing to do. If you find a good childcare your fears will start to diminish with time. But they will probably never fully go away. Being a mom means you feel guilty and worried...pretty much all the time. It comes with the job!

-I didn't read your question really well...if you are working at a daycare more than likely you can't work in the room she will be in...at least that was a rule at all the places I worked. But if you don't feel good about leaving her in the place you work for whatever reason don't feel weird about bringing her somewhere else...I have seen lots of moms do it over the years.

Answer 3

I went back to work 2 weeks ago. The first day back, I bawled like a baby. But it wasn't too bad the second day. Now it's actually almost enjoyable, and I still get lots of bonding time with my baby. It's totally normal to feel that way, but remember that your baby will love you no matter if you're home all day with her or working outside the home.

Answer 4

I am sure that is perfectly normal! You both will probabally go through seperation! If it is really bad, why don't you stay home and run a daycare there? That is what I decided to do. I have 4 kids that come to my home, and it is great. I get to raise my daughter how I feel is right and she has friends to play with while I make a little extra money!

Answer 5

I am nine weeks pregnant so I would probably feel just like you first time moms do that. Try to enjoy being at work knowing you have a beautiful baby to get home to. You will lose your bond with your child because babies can sense moms love.

Answer 6

if you're working at a daycare, can she stay with you? that would be great because then she could have that social interaction that she needs, and still be close to her mom all the time.

Answer 7

It's absolutely normal. Do you have to go to work? If you and your hubby can afford it, and you want to stay home with your baby, then DO IT!

Good luck!

Answer 8

THIS IS NORMAL AFTER BEING HOME WITH YOUR DAUGHTER. GIVE IT A WEEK AND SEE HOW YOU FEEL BY THEN.

Answer 9

I am sure she will have fun,and you will be even more happy to see her when you get off work.
good luck