Will someone make me feel better about leaving my 10 week old with a sitter so I can return to work next week?

Question

I am having a real hard time thinking about leaving him...He will be greatly cared for, I just am having a hard time dealing...I feel like I will miss alot...crawling for the first time..etc.....

Answer 1

He is not even 3 months old. I cannot condemn you because maybe you need the money but it is not right. The baby needs you now and you will never have this time with him again.

Answer 2

You really won't miss out on that much. The worst thing, though, is that first day you are back at work-you walk around in a daze, you are miserable, you cry all day (I did!) and you are just in a horrible state. I didn't suffer at all from PPD until I went back to work.

In the meantime, your baby is happily napping, safe & sound all day long.

I wish I could say that as time goes by it gets easier. I am very fortunate that my husband's aunt keeps my girl, and my husband and I have flexible work schedules so our girl spends a maximum of five hours a day five days a week with the sitter. It also helps that my sitter is two miles from my office and if anything were to happen, I could be there in no time.

Bottom line: if you don't think you will be happy and you don't think your son will be happy, and if it is possible, don't go back. If you absolutely must go back, then you can call the sitter a few times a day until you get used to your son being there. And soon, when your day at work turns to puppy poopie, thoughts of being able to go home & snuggle with your baby will be what gets you through.

God bless and good luck to you!

Answer 3

I still feel guilty leaving my son at the sitter although he is well cared for and really enjoys it... it will be hard at first but get easier as you get back into things at work. I stayed home 2 1/2 years, so I'm sure it's a little different with a newborn, but he'll be ok and whenever you get a chance to take a day off here and there make sure you have some real quality time together. Good Luck, you'll do great!

Answer 4

I feel your pain. I was lucky enough to be single and stay at home with my son for the first year, so I really had a lot of one on one time with him.
It may make you feel better to know that the longer you put off going back to work, the harder they cry when you leave him. When my son was younger, he had no problem going to a sitter's arms for a couple hours. Now that he's older and really knows me best, he does not like leaving my side one bit. I think that it makes it more stressful on the sitter, the child, and the mom the longer you wait because of that.
Make sure you leave a camera in your diaper bag for the sitter, and give them instructions on how to use it, I don't know of a single person who wouldn't do that favor for you :) I know I would be more than happy to if I was watching somebody else's child.
Also, make the most of the time you have together, I know when I'm home from work or college classes, I get down on the floor and have a ball with my son when he's awake, motherhood is simply a juggling act hun, and you're adding another ball.

Good luck!!!

Answer 5

I have been a babysitter/nanny for several years and have seen parents have this same problem. It's difficult for all parents, especially moms.
As long as your sure the person who is caring for him is going to do a great job then he will be fine. You may miss some things, but you can ask your babysitter to write down when something happens. Leave a camera out for her to use to capture special moments. You can call during the day. I have had a many parents call to see how their child is doing.
Since you have to work, then this is something that has to happen. One thing that is really important is to make special time for you and your son to bond when you get home or any days off. Use that time to stimulate him to see his first reactions and so on. A mother I babysat for in the past did this to keep the bond between them strong.
A tip for when it comes time to leave. Don't make a big deal about it. Just give a hug and a kiss and grab your things and leave. It might sound mean but its best for you and the baby. If you hang around and are reluctant to leave, your baby will sense that and become stressed himself. I have gone through this with parents and the quick exit is best. Give your hugs and kisses and say goodbye and let the babysitter get his attention on something else. Don't let him watch you leave, this could cause stress for him. Once the babysitter has him focused on something make your exit. If you want you can call from the road to ask how he is since you left. The first day is the hardest. I promise it will get easier.
Good luck!
-Brit

Answer 6

How do you know he will be greatly cared for? For your peace of mind , get installed a surveillance camera system , you be surprised at what u see! My sister had a good recommendation about this sitter , the best , back to work she went , in 3 weeks or so she noticed the baby was very fussy , criyn for nothing, not sleeping at night.had a bit of rash, and was just not the same 12th month old she left , soo she consulted an old friend who gave her the advice Iam giving you , this she did, and the sitter was bringing in a boyfriend , putting cough syrup in the babys milk to put him to sleep , was changin his diaper close to evening , a disastrous thing! The sitter was arrested , she dint do much time tho , the baby is another story , it took time to bring him to himself again , we got a 70 yr old lady to care for him , with camers and all, today this 3 yr od toddler is a beauty , and the old grandma as he calls her is a part of our family! Be carefull. The best to you. Hugs.

Answer 7

I can't image what you are going through. You have to do what you have to do. I went back after a year and found it difficult. I can only imagine after 10 weeks. It'll be hard in the beginning but I promise you it will get easier. Bring lots of pictures and put them everywhere. I even used a picture of my little one as my wallpaper! You won't miss everything cause you wont be at work all of the time. You will be at home in evening (I assume) and weekends. You can always take sick days too! If you find it too difficult being away try to see if you can work part time. Just think of the bright side... how many diapers that you wont have to change! Hee Hee!

Best of luck with your return

Answer 8

No one can make you feel better about that decision....I 'm guessing it's a money thing...I can only say you should have better prepared if that is the only reason. Not to dwell on the past and out you down but these are things you have to take into consideration when you put yourself in that kind of situation..dint be so hasty in you going back to work if you can help it, I can only hope you have family that will help you out. I think that's to early maybe another 4 weeks or so I'm really not sure of the exact time frame that makes it OK..I would suggest you try and work something out where maybe you work like half days....You only get one time to witness you baby crawl, walk, and speak for the first time, these are moments you should and will cherish.once you experienced them.

Answer 9

Sweetie you gotta know that the 8 hours a day away from him isn't anything compared to the time you'll still have together. As long as you know and trust the person you leave him with then you'll be ok. You gotta make the money so he can have the motorcycle he's gonna want in a few years.

Answer 10

(((HUGS)))

Don't beat yourself up for something you can't control. It's best that you go back to work so you both can eat and sleep in a home. As far as leaving him, my sister left my neice at 6 weeks. I think you are blessed to have spent 10 weeks with him.

You won't miss out, but you won't be able to spend as much time with him as before. You'll still get to experience his laughs, giggles, sitting up, crawling, and walking. They may just be different than how you envisioned it.

When my sister left my neice with me I'd take pictures for her and email them to her at work. Maybe your sitter could do something similar. Or, at least take some pictures for you.

Try not to worry :))

Answer 11

Poor darling, I reeeeeeeally feel for you. It must be absolutely crushing to have to go back to work when bub is so little. But take heart, just tell yourself when you say goodbye each morning that its only a little day over and over to stop yourself breaking and crying in front of bub. This is what I have doing the past 3 weeks with my littlest boy (5 years old) who has just started school. He's been taking a photo of mummy and daddy all wrapped up and sealed in plastic to school in his back pocket so as he can kiss me anytime he wants !!! Yesterday was the first day he gave me a big smile and a wave goodbye, yaaay !!

Please cheer sweet mummy, take a photo of sweet bub with you to work and have it in your pocket like my little boy does so that when you get sad you can just put your hand in your pocket and she'll be with you. (That's what my boy told me he was doing !!)

Our babies are soooooo precious and there are going to be loads of moments for you to capture and see !! You're doing the total best you ever can and your little bub is soooooo lucky to have such a nice mama ..................... :0)



PEACE