To Head Back to Work Part Time or Not to Head Back to Work Hmmm.....

I agree with Emily. Stay home as long as you can!!! I had to go back to work full time when my daughter was 18 months and hated it. I am finally able to stay home again and love it! If you work at all you will still have to fit in housecleaning, errands, etc. So if you work too, you will have a lot less time with him.... Just something else to think about.

I have a 10 month old and i would give anything to stay home with him but we cant afford it financialy. If I were you i would stay with him until he starts kindergaten they grow up so fast soak up all the time you have!!!!!!

can you ask the boss to give you 5 half days instead of 3 full ones? that might be better b/c you can work while he's in preschool part time and your son would get the benefits (socialization, etc.) but wouldnt have to spend the whole day away from his mama! after working those 3 full days you may find its too short of a time to spend with your son before its his bedtime. part time will give you a good chunk of time everyday so thats personally what i'd prefer if you can make it a choice. good luck!

AAAWWWW.....After reading your comment about getting teary eyed that just tells me the needs of your baby are MUCH greater to you than your own needs =-)

Maybe you continue to stay home and work once your child starts school full-time?

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I work with a lot of fairly new moms. Though there is no consensus, most feel like working part time is optimal. For me, I had no choice financially, but I would have stayed home if I had.

Only you can make that decision for yourself. Either way, the children of the moms who work seem happy, healthy, and well-adjusted after an initial period of transition.

Holy cow, I can NEVER get tired of the time I have at home with my kids! If the money's there, I say be with him as long as you possibly can! In a flash of light he'll be all grown up, THEN you'll have all the time in the world to be out in it!! Lucky Mamma!

I had to go back to work when my son was 15 mos because my husband was laid off. I hated it. I was so thankful and happy when he got hired back after 6 mos and I could stay home again. I actually was able to continue working a shift or two a week as I wanted after I technically "quit" but fizzled out on that because I didn't want to do it. Somedays now after having worked I miss the interaction with people, but I get that with play dates and stuff too.

I didn't really have to do a transition, since hubby was laid off he stayed home. I can only imagine that it would have been even harder for me if I'd been putting him in daycare.

I DO think however, that a few days a week of preschool are good for everyone concerned. Kids (especially boys) need that social training to get ready for school, in my opinion. And my son is very smart, but I don't feel like I'd be the best choice to challenge and teach him (not that I think preschool is for challenging academics, but fun learning is important too.) If you can work some while he will be at preschool and be happier and more satisfied for it, it sounds like a good thing. Personally, I plan to do things like housework while mine is at preschool, since I never get them done while he is home and awake. But a few weeks of that and I might be looking for a job just to get a maid- lol!

You are only torn because you are a mama who loves her baby! That is a good thing. If you really look at it as the best of both worlds, that sounds like your answer. And just remember, it is not set in stone. You are allowed to change your mind. If it doesn't work out, you can still go back to staying at home. If you go back to work, I would recommend giving it a couple months, that is how long the adjustment to working took me. And after that, see if you really feel like you are getting the best of both worlds.

Good luck in your decision! Regardless, your son will still be well loved and happy. :)

You know, your child will only be little a short time in his life. Jobs will always be there. Your son won't. If you have the choice, do what is best for your little son. He truly needs you at this time in his precious life. You will never regret spending that time with him.

Your reaction is perfectly normal. When my son was 4 mos, I had to go back to work, as we couldn't afford for me to stay home. I was lucky enough that I was able to bring my son with me for the next 3 mos, and he started daycare at 7 mos. Even with that transition time, going back to work was hard, and putting him in daycare was hard, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. He's SO happy at daycare, is learning SO much, and I get to have adult interaction during the day at work. We're both better for the separation. It sounds like you have an awesome opportunity waiting for you, and what a great way to ease your way back into the workforce! I say go for it...it will be tough the first week or so, but you'll be glad in the end. GL!

I've worked part-time (as well as full-time) and stayed home full time.

Part-time work can be wonderful - on the other hand one of the biggest downsides I found is that "you're neither fish nor fowl" - i.e., you're not a full time employee nor are you a full time mom. So you feel constantly "pulled" by both and pleasing neither. I have also had a situation where I felt I had to pull a "full-time" workload in part-time hours (definitely something to avoid).

Personally I regret evey moment I missed with my kids when they were little like yours (mine are 16 & 13!). I have never regretted all the time that we have spent together and will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be there. It makes it a bit easier to manage teens when you have a close relationship to draw upon.

Good luck to you and your son!

I have 2 kids... I went back to work when my first child was 6 months old.. I workd 4 full days.. taht was too much. I paid a nanny adn I kept asking myself why am I working to pay someone to watch my baby??

So when my second was born 18 months later I quit... stayed home full time.. good decision at the time.. Of course being home with a newborn and a 18 month old is no picnic..

so my old employer had some contract work available.. when my younger child was 23 months -- I went back to work 2 days per week.. It is great.. I love going to work and I appreciate the days at home..I think when I was home full time I got tired of the day in day out grind of caring for 2 kids... Mine are in day care 9 hours and I work about 7 hours.. My 4 year old sometimes says the days are too long.. but that is only at about 4 pm and she is done with the day.. I pick up at 430.. I say go back part time.. it is good for your brain.. and your spirit.. you will miss your child but cherish the time together..

Ask yourself...can you leave work at work or will it follow you home? I was offered a part time position after my son was born, and the current full time one took 50 to 60 hours a week. So, part time would really have been like working full time. I decided that I didn't want to put in full time hours for half time pay and spend that money on childcare anyways. Plus it would follow me home and I would end up trying to juggle my son and work at home too.

HUGS!!

Hi J.,
I have a 3 1/2 yr old son and a 2 yr old daughter and I believe that raising our children is the most important job in the world. If you are blessed to afford to stay home with your kids I wouldn't think twice- I would stay with them. I was originally going to send my son to preschool soon, but then my mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October and then they thought I had ovarian cancer and then a scare with my son- they actually thought he had leukemia! Long story short, we aren't promised tomorrow and our time with each other could be a lot shorter than we think and I decided to home school my children and spend as much time with them as I could. My husband and I are living on a shoe string to be able to do that, if you are blessed to afford it, I say treasure every moment!

I work part time, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I went back when our son was 3 months old, but we were able to keep him at home until 16 mos through creative scheduling. Although I was already working, it was a tough transition initially when he went to daycare. However, he has thrived there, and we are fortunate to have one at the hospital where I work that is flexible. My son goes 3 days a week and he loves it (although some mornings he tells us he doesn't want to go, I know he's fine when he gets there). And I love hearing the things that he learns there.

For me, personally, it is a chance to interact with adults and keep my brain working. I think I am a better mother because I have that outlet. I have no concerns about my son's welfare, and there is nothing better at the end of the day then going to pick him up and have him yell "Mommy" and come running for me.

The first year was rough in terms of illnesses, and there were times when I questioned whether we should maybe get a nanny, but I really wanted him to have the social interactions. We stuck it out, and now he he has been healthier and I am sure his immune system is the better for it.

There is no way you are going to know for sure if it will work for you until you try it. You are fortunate, as am I, in that you have the option to work part time. So many people don't these days. My suggestion would be to try it out for a while. You always have the option to go back to being a full time mom. And if you do, you will know for sure that you are where you are meant to be.

Good luck.

Can I provide advice that builds on the great advice below: can you work part-time from home and at the office if you need the income? That is, like the below recommendation, work 5 part time days, and maybe 2 of those days work from home. So...you can work 3 part time days at an office, get some interaction...and your son will get a slow, gradual intro to pre-school environments by going only 3 part time days....

HTH

I was also torn about sending my daughter at 2 yr to pre-school. I myself was only able to take 3 months maternity leave.

My daughter LOVES her school. Honestly there are days that I look forward to going to work. sometimes for the adult interaction, sometimes to get away from the cranky kid & spouse. I work steady 3 days a week, & work in extra days if possible.

My daughter loves school soooo much she wants to go on days that they are closed!!!!

She goes 5 days a week 1/2 days, & will start full time in the fall. I am really surprised the teachers haven't recommended this sooner. She had stayed all day on occasion (school charges extra $15/day)- she wants to take a nap with her friends.

She is now 3- has been in school for 1 yr. She looks forward to going to school & seeing her "friends". I can tell who are going to form clicks in middle & high school. It is already the boys against the girls in a lot of things!!

Her school was recommended to me long before I was pregnant. The school let us visit in the class she would be in, before starting.

I worked full time and now I work part time. I work because I love what I do and need it to help me be a better mom. I work three days a week and the time that I have with my son is precious. I optimize every moment I have when I am at home. If I was a SHAM I do not think I personally would do that. The days I am not home my husband or sister is with my son. My son loves to go over to my sister's house and play with his cousins.

I do feel like I have the best of both worlds.

You can always try it and if you don't like it don't continue to do it. Good luck.

I went back part time and it turned into a new carrier but hubby got use to it. I'd give almost anything to be able to not work again and be home with my daugher especially now in elementary school where there are bullies and aftercare etc. But I understand you need a break at times and the kids does need to learn to socialize with other kids and get their germs so he builds up his immune.

I would say if you dont feel comfortable being away from your son yet then don't go back to work.

Personally I work outside of my home and have two boys, my oldest is in preschool and does acceptional. He loved interacting with his friends and it has taught him some people skills that he wouldn't of gotten at home. My husband and I spend time with our boys when they wake up before school and from the time I pick them up to the time they go to bed play and hanging out with them. We do our house chores after they are down for the night.

Also you will have two days a week at home with him and that would be a great thing. Just make a good decision for you and your family. Good Luck

I was a stay at home Mom for 6 years!!! it then became necessary for me to go back to work and it had to be full-time. I was not happy and very sad......until I actually did it. The hard parts were finding adequate care for my two daughters that I really trusted and that the kids really liked. We went through a bit of a hiccup with that but finally found a wonderful place that my husband and I adored and my kids loved! They needed the social interaction at this time and I found that I also needed it to. It was good to be around adults again and have "conversations"! You will be fine. It is an adjustment but in the long run, especially with today's economy and money problems, it is better for you to work than not. As your child grows, they see you as a productive, confident, and capable person who has interests in the home as well as skills and talents outside the home at work. My daughters are now teenagers and that's what they tell me about my career. They enjoyed all the time with me up front but they are proud to see their mother kicking butt and taking names on the career-front!

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I was lucky to have three months off after my daughter was born. Now I am at home with her after a year of working and daycare. We moved so I do not work now. I MISS IT SO MUCH. I liked the "me" time I had and the adult interaction I was able to have. My daughter loved daycare. She was able to play and interact with other children. It may be a good thing for the both of you. It will probably be hard at first but it will get better.

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No matter what you decide, there will be days when you are happy with whatever decision you make, and days when you wont be. You have an opportunity to have the best of both worlds! Try it - and if it doesnt work out - you can always quit! Some Moms are better Moms having outside work and some Moms are better staying at home. Neither are better - just different. Good Luck Mom!