stay at home mother going back to work tomorrow...a little sad?

Question

hi, i'll be starting work tomorrow after staying at home w/my 4 yr old daughter and 7 yr old son for about 8 months. I am feeling the jitters from starting a new job but mostly feeling a sadness b/c I know my daughter and I won't have those bonding long days together since she starts school in September and I start work tomorrow, those days are gone for good and I get a lump in my throat when I think about it. I'm gonna miss her sooo much, my son is 7 and in 1st grade so its going to be easier on him i think but i'll also miss being there for him when he comes home from school. I didn't expect to feel so gloomy and sad, any encouraging words or advice would really help me tonight so I can start my first day not an emotional wreck. Thanks to all.

McyD- thank you for your kind words. I wish i could stay home but unfortunately my husband and i realized financially it was too much of a stretch.

adad&teacher-thank you so much for your thoughtful response, i'm going to keep saying to myself that this is for their future, maybe it'll help.

Answer 1

I have been there myself. I sat in the parking lot after dropping my daughter off at daycare and cried my head off. To be honest I think it is harder on us than it is them. Make the most of your time in the evenings to spend with your children. Don't worry about the dishes and the laundry during the week and take that time to cuddle, read, and play with them. Make sure you have pictures of them with you at work so anytime you are missing them you can look at their sweet faces.

I am not sure if you are married or not but give this your best shot but if you find after a week or month or so that is too hard on you discuss with your husband about quitting and being at home with them. Perhaps you could work evenings if that would work out better.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Sounds like you're a great mother. I often see this on the first day of school, especially amongst the young children's mothers. Most schools have have on-line information for parents. You could check to see if your school does. If so, you can keep track of what the kids are doing and talk to them about their studies. It may help you feel more in touch with your children when you are separated.
I completely understand how you feel. I have a son, and sometimes I don't want to go to work. I often wish I could stay home with my wife and son and share in their days. However, we must go out and make a good future for the children and ourselves.
How I get through each day id to think about the end of the day, when I can be with my wife and son again. When I come home, we sit down and he tells me about all the things he did. Then we will do something together, even if it is only playing in the park for a short time.
Don't worry. You will find that you will still be able to share precious memories together. And when you go to work each day, you can plan a new adventure with your children. It doesn't have to be big, just as long as you're all together.
Some of my students have come to me with this problem. They just want their parents to listen to what they are doing and feeling. They want their parents to listen (really listen) to their problems and not tell them that their problems are nothing to worry about. They want to share their dreams with you and have you tell them how to make their dreams come true.
So when you come home, ask them what they did and share in what they say.
Some children say, "Oh, nothing special." If they do that, tell them about your day. Or maybe tell them about when you went to school. (But DO NOT make it sound wonderful. Theirs may have been bad.) It might get them talking about what they did.

Answer 3

Keep it up, I know it's hard but this time should come sooner or later. Now it's up and just think you're doing this for their goods, you're trying to provide them a stable life. Good luck