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Post by rachelk on Mar 23, 2008 17:21:29 GMT
Just wanted to hear anyone's views on return to work! I have been off work since July - baby born August, PNI started NOV. I am going back in 14 days time!
I am kind of looking forward to 'being at work', but really worried about how I will deal with anything other than simple things. For example, the other day I was fine, good mood etc. then I sat on some play dough that my son had left on my car seat! Totally trivial but it plunged me into depression for rest of day. How, if I react like this to play dough, am I going to cope with a 4 day a week job?
I am also worried about the logistics of getting one to nursery, one to school, then me to work - all by 9am 9or even 8am some mornings)!
Anyway, just wanted to hear your experiences.
Rachelx
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Post by littlelotty on Mar 23, 2008 17:29:11 GMT
Hi Rachel
I returned to work last march when my LO was six months old, it was like a mission and I had to be so organised but I managed to get to work by 8.30am every morning and that is with a 45 min drive so my best advice would be to get as much ready the night before as possible and get up before your LO and shower and dress and then you can get your LO up and then have breakfast and out the door. It does take a lot longer but in time you will get used to it.
I used to feel like I had done a whole days work when I arrived at work as I had been up for 3-4 hours before! What sort of job do you have? Do you have a supportive partner that could share some of the work?
Good luck in 14 days time!
LittleLotty xx
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Post by rachelk on Mar 23, 2008 18:22:34 GMT
Thanks for that.
My job is reasonably flexible (I lecture/research at Uni), and as long as I get the hours in, they wont be too cross if I am a little late.
I think you are right about it needing to be a military operation! I am already on a mission with everything in place for both kids re: childcare! Knowing my luck, they will probably be ill first day back!
My eldest is at school so he will go to breakfast club some days at family some days (before school), my youngest will start nursery that week!
I would have no probs getting up/showered before my youngest woke up as he is a good sleeper (strange eh!) but my 4.5 year old gets up at about 5.45-6am so I have no chance of being ready before he gets up! I will just have to let things slip and let him go on computer/watch telly for a while so I can get ready.
I think it is more the dread that is bothering me at moment, once it all starts I will be fine.
Cheers again
Rachel x
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Post by littlelotty on Mar 24, 2008 11:26:58 GMT
Hi Rachel
I am sure you will be fine - you certainly have your hands full with two - I just about manage with my one! When I went back to work the first week my hubby was taken to hospital and stayed for 3 days so I was on my own running here there everywhere it felt like so it was a nightmare. I thought after if I can manage that I can do it all fine!!
Let us know how it goes!
Take Care
LittleLotty xx
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Post by cheshire on Mar 24, 2008 12:57:24 GMT
Hi Rachel, I was off for 18 months and understand the anxiety of going back. But in all honesty, the anticipation was worse than the actual event. Having said that, it was very hard at first with the anxiety - but there was lots about it that was good, and I do think it has helped in some way with my recovery. However, I was signed off again and started anti - depressants in the end - and I have never looked back. I enjoy work like I used to now, in fact more so. I have had, in the past, loads of blips at work, but people were far more understanding than I expected and helped me to get back on my feet. It's funny how many people you find have experienced some form of mental ilness, once you have opened up.. I remember when I first went back - Veritee and the others advised me ( I think, hope I don't mis quote) - concentrate on small objectives at first (e.g. getting there, knowing strategies etc. to cope with panic etc, getting home.) and take it an hour at a time...don't be too hard on yourself I too have to usually get to work early, although sometimes OH does the Nursery run. I must admit, I get everything laid out the night before and things have got into a pretty smooth routine. But I think your little one is much younger than mine - so confession time in relation to going back to work with a baby, I was full time after my first and commuted a distance - so sometimes she went to bed in the clothes she would wear for Nursery the next day (all clean of course!) How terrible hey?!! You'll be ok and whilst I know you'll worry - just remember the reality will be better than expected as that is what this illness does to your thinking xxx
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Post by rachelk on Mar 24, 2008 13:55:17 GMT
Thanks Hopeful, That's really helpful. I know there will be positives - 1) not obsessively cleaning all time cos I wont be at home; 2) getting some adult company 3) haveing time to eat my lunch without a child nattering in my ear..etc. etc.
I have told 2 people at work (colleagues not boss or personnel), they were great and one actually confessed to having been to see CBT for panic attacks for over a year! I have decided that telling my boss wont gain anything, so unless i have to i wont. I have also told myself that it wont be the end of the world if I have a blip and need to come off sick....that takes pressure off.
I have access to comp at work so I will probably be looking on this site to cheer me up when I get down.
Thanks again, I will let you know how it goes
Rachel
p.s. love the story about sleeping in clothes. I may try it with myself and both kids!
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Post by winegirl on Mar 24, 2008 20:41:21 GMT
Hi Rachel
My return briefly:
Went back 2nd Jan 2007. I have to be at work for 08.00 so first few days of getting us all ready and out of the door was interesting! But soon got into a routine.
The first two weeks were tough and VERY tiring, but now I love being at work, it is like having a break! I get to pee without an audience and eat my own dinner with little fingers nicking off my plate!
At the back end of last year i did have to take six weeks off with the anxiety, but I was VERY ill when i returned to work, and i still dont reret it as it really helped my recovery and life in general x
WG x
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anita123
Senior Member
I have a little girl who is 8 months old.
Posts: 172
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Post by anita123 on Mar 27, 2008 10:37:38 GMT
Hi Rachel,
I can understand how you are feeling, i am due to go back to work on the 31st of March (been off since April last year), i have also changed career as i couldn't get descent hours as a veterinary nurse.
I am really looking forward to the adult interation and being able to be me again...not that i don't love being a mummy now but i need to be me again if that makes sense. Feel a little guilty about leaving my LO in childcare but i think she will get great attention and have loads of fun and think it will be great for both of us.
Hope it all goes really well for you
Will be thinking of you Anita xx
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Post by rachelk on Mar 27, 2008 15:58:46 GMT
Hi Anita, Good to hear from you. That's quite strange both going back within a week. Do you have e-mail access atr work? I think I will be on this site everyday when it gets hard.
I am looking forward to parts of it, but dreading others. I think I just need it to happen now as I have been waiting/dreading it for so long.
Good luck to you.
Take care
Rachelx
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anita123
Senior Member
I have a little girl who is 8 months old.
Posts: 172
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Post by anita123 on Mar 27, 2008 17:15:03 GMT
know exactly what you mean some bits i am looking forward to others i am dreading but hopefully it will all be ok and for you too x
Hopefully i will have email and internet access.....jsut want to get there and do it now and then i will probably feel better about it all ....i hope
Take care and good luck to you too
Anita xxx
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Bobyn
Senior Member
Posts: 454
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Post by Bobyn on Mar 27, 2008 21:18:50 GMT
I start back on the 14th April Rachel so I'll be thinking of you over the next couple of weeks. I started mat leave mid July and had my LO on the 16th August so I think our timings are similar?
I reckon we'll all be just fine, and having this site to tap into will help any little blips or momentary lapses of confidence that we might have. I always think of the girls on here as being right behind me like cheerleaders cheering me on any time that things feel a litte tough going. Good luck Anita and Rachel, let me know how you both get on please. Love, Bobsie xxx
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Post by cheshire on Apr 8, 2008 8:13:58 GMT
Good Luck Rachelk, with your return to work
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Post by Scarlet on Apr 8, 2008 8:57:31 GMT
Rachel, Let us know how you get on when you get chance.
Hugs
xxx
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anita123
Senior Member
I have a little girl who is 8 months old.
Posts: 172
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Post by anita123 on Apr 11, 2008 18:11:36 GMT
Hows it going Rachel?? xxx
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Post by winegirl on Apr 11, 2008 20:11:16 GMT
Oh yes Rachel, if you get , give us all a shout to let us know??
Take Care
WG x
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