Friday 10 January 2014

My first week as a working mum

So, it's the end of my first week as a working mum. I survived! And so did Ethan! Phew, that's a relief. Honestly though, I knew that things would be ok. Ethan's nursery is warm and welcoming, he is very comfortable in the company of other people and I've kept in touch with my work throughout my maternity leave so going in on Monday morning didn't feel too daunting.


I've taken things slowly this week and tried not to do or expect too much. We've managed to leave the house on time which is a great achievement as we've not been used to early mornings and each evening, we've had family time, sat at the dining room table, eating a fresh meal I've prepared (thanks to my new #midweekmealsformums challenge) and swapping stories about our days (Ethan for the most part just waves his arms around and makes funny shrieking noises).

It has been strange to adjust to a new schedule, as when I was on maternity leave, I could sleep when I wanted, eat whenever I felt like it and generally the day was laid out ahead of me with endless possibilities as to what Ethan and I could do. Tuesdays was our Yummy Mummy group, Thursday morning we went to Little Hub Club and Fridays we'd meet someone for coffee, go for a swim or Ethan would have his weigh-in at the doctors. 


Our new schedule involves an alarm at 6am, waking Ethan from his slumber at 6.50am to be forced into clothes, dropping him off at nursery at 7.30am, racing through city traffic to be at my desk by 8.30am, getting back into my role as head of division at a top PR agency until 5pm rolls around, then it's the same routine as the morning but in reverse. Wednesdays are my days at home and at the moment, hubs is working from home on that day too, so it's nice to have a bit of time together in the middle of the week to break things up. 

Worn out after his first day at nursery

The hardest thing for me is the drop off at nursery. Not because Ethan is upset in any way - touch wood, at the moment, he looks rather interested when we arrive and can't stop looking around at everything and everyone, but because I know we're not going to be spending the day together and someone else is going to be feeding, playing and cuddling with my beautiful boy. We've had eight months together, the world our oyster, and now we'll never have that time again.

It may sound silly and I know that things will get easier with time, I just need to learn how to become a working mum.
SHARE:

6 comments

  1. Good luck with getting back into the swing of things.. I have recently gone back into work after being a stay at home mum for far too many years and its harder than I though adjusting to the new routines. My baby is all grown up now and nearly 11 but I have had so long of sleeping, eating and planning things when ever I felt like it really its a shock to the system to now have to plan everything from school clubs and picks up to meal times etc.. I'm sure things will continue to go smoothly and best of luck :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been after such a long time. It's good to have something that's just about you though and I know Ethan is only going to flourish the more time he has with other children. He's doing really well according to the nursery and I'm sure I'll learn to share him with other people as time goes on ;) Thank you for your words of support x

      Delete
  2. I imagine the midweek break is lovely, it's great that your partner is at home too that day. I imagine in time the dropping off at nursery but will become second nature like the school runs have now become for me.
    All the best with your new lifestyle :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your lovely comment! It has got easier - I think seeing how happy Ethan is and hearing how well his first week has gone from the nursery staff has really helped. I am really pleased with my midweek break, it definitely helps me get used to the changes in our routine! x

      Delete
  3. Anonymous20.1.14

    Aw Kelly, it IS very hard at the start. Like you say, knowing someone else is being mummy to your baby while you're at work. BUT they will get so much out of and so will YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you! We're into our third week now and it does get easier as we settle into the routine. I'm so happy to see him at the end of the day and he really seems to be enjoying it all so I couldn't ask for any more x

    ReplyDelete

Blogger Template by pipdig