Going Back to Work After Five Years of Being an SAHM

In their minds, the world revolves around them so give them items to looks forward to on their new adventures, new friends, crafts, what will they love to do while you are away. Also, reassuring them that you will be back.

The best advice I can give is find a routine and stick to it. Kids love routine it gives them security. Any time I move from the routine there are consequences. For example, I'm on a medical leave and was looking forward to lazy mornings and breakfast with my daughter before I took her to day care (so I can heal). She has not adapted well to this change because if we eat together it usually means that she doesn't have school on that day and she gets to spend the day with me. I've found its less disrupting to her to pick her up from school early instead of changing our morning routine.

We also have rituals when I drop her off at school. I prepare her breakfast and before I leave she gives me a big hug so we both have "energy" to have fun during the day. Another mother, blows kisses in her childs hands so they can keep the kisses in their pockets while they are apart.

Best wishes to you!

From one stay at home mom of three (who has had to do this) to another.....

The truth is that this is going to be harder on you than them! If they have done well with morning kindergarten and preschool, they'll do okay with this.

You're just going to have to jump right in. There is not a lot of explaining to do. Just that there are some children that need your help and that they are going to spend some time each day meeting and playing with new friends and doing lots of fun activitites!

Maybe you could talk to the Montessori and ask if you can bring them in one or two days before hand for an hour or so, so that they can meet their teachers and see what everythings all about. They can do this with you first, then without you once or twice (but you can sneak a peak through the windows to ease your mind), and then (sorry, it'll be tough) you're just going to have to throw them to the wolves, so to speak, and let them go in and figure things out and give them a chance to bond and mesh. They might suprise you and not be upset at all!!!

Start driving the route to the school. Park in it a few times and get out of the car if you can, but don't go in. Maybe the anticipation of going inside might ease the anxiety of a new school.

As far as what to say, tell them just as their job is to play nice and make friends, your job is to meet w/other people and help them learn how to do somethings.

gl!

I just went back to work after 7.5 years home with my kids. My youngest is 7, so it's not quite the same as your situation, but here's what has helped me. I talked about my new job - explaining what I would be doing and where I would be (so they had some idea) and I tried to stay very positive. It was way harder on me than them - they seemed to adjust and adapt pretty quickly, where I took a bit longer! Keeping a routine helps them feel safe too - they know what to expect during their day even though something big has changed. Anyway, having just been there - I feel for you! Good luck!

J.