advice?

advice?

Hi everyone...hope Thanksgiving was wonderful for all. I have alot to be thankful for with our new, beautiful baby. Just wondering...does anyone have any experiences or advice about going back to work after maternity leave? I have always worked and am supposed to be going back in January part time. My baby will only be about 2 1/2 months old. I am having very mixed feelings about it and now after speaking with my husband last night, he says there is a possiblity I could stay home and not work at all. He is up for a new job making more $. If he takes it he will be traveling alot and not be home. I feel really torn about the whole thing. Not to mention that everyone at my job (I work in a small office) chipped in and bought me the baby`s crib and mattress for my shower. I kinda feel obligated to go back since they spent so much $. Any advice?

advice?

I don't think the gift from co-workers should make you feel obligated to go back to work. They gave you that because they cared about you and valued your time that you were there. Everyone feels differently after they have a baby. Many friends I know who wanted to go back to work -- now stay home because they didn't realize how intense they would feel about leaving their baby in daycare, etc.

I would love to stay home once we have kids if my husband has a good job/salary and is secure so we can afford to live on one income. And if you husband is not going to be home a lot then you would want to make sure their is one parent around for the child most of the time.

You need to do what is right for you and your husband and your baby -- not what other people say or think.

advice?

You might try approaching them about the possiblity of working from home, or part time too, if your job functions would accomodate that.

From what I've read

you might want to consider if it's really worth it for you to go back to work. According to some articles I've read, sometimes the cost of baby sitters/day care centers are more expensive than the paycheck you would be bringing home. If you would be basically spending your paycheck on paying for baby sitters, it might not be worth it. I've always thought I would be returning to work after I give birth however when I realized how much it would cost just to hire someone to take care of the baby, I'm having second thoughts. Your obligation now is to your baby and not your co-workers. Do what's best for your family! Good luck!

From what I`ve read

This is probably one of the most difficult decisions you and your husband will ever have to make. Only the two of you know whats best for your family right now.

Remeber things change over time. If you decide to stay home full time right now - that dosent mean its a decision forever. You can go back to work at a later date. Work of some sort will always be there.

advice?

I think it depends on how you feel as a person. If you are the kind of person who needs to have a career of her own, then being home might be appealing right now, but in the long run, you might feel lonely and less than your former self, especially if your husband will be travelling a lot now. If you're the kind that doesn't really like to work, then you might be better off staying home. However, with your husband travelling, and your new baby, those two things are big changes already. You might not want to change too much else right now - try going to work part time for now, and see how you feel. You might like that pattern. It's really something only you can decide for yourself. Ultimately, if you're not happy, your child will sense it, and your husband will feel it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.