My heart goes out to all the working mothers and fathers out there!
Today my baby turned three months; and today I started working again. I can’t complain because I’m only working two days out of the week for five hours at a time. It’s not much, but it helps keep me sane and contribute financially. And right now, it’s enough. It was so hard to say goodbye to Pinky. I kept going back and forth to kiss her and hug her. Luckily for us, we have no need for a nanny because Grandma was the first to volunteer to be on board and babysit.
I’ve never been away from Pinky for more than two hours tops. Today we were away from each other for a little over six hours. I was surprised that I took the transition fairly well being that I was up until the wee hours of the early morning subconsciously thinking of how I was going to handle being away from my little lady. I can hardly say I understand how my husband felt when he had to go back to his 9 to 5 after bonding with Pinky and I for only one month.
I’ve read in a few books and pamphlets that most working mothers go back to work at about 12 weeks. There must be something that clicks in our brain about wanting to socialize, work, do anything around this time frame. I didn’t realize it but I started working again on the exact same day Pinky turned three months…coincidence, I think not! I was so sad at the thought of not being with Pinky all day, but anxious at the fact that I was going to interact with other adults. When I walked into the office it was exhilarating and when the clock struck two, I was flying out of there rushing home to see my girl.
As my first time being a mommy I can only assume that for most moms there is never a good time to go back to work. Who wants to leave her baby for her cubical? I hope no one! And when you’re breastfeeding it can get complicated for those moms working long hours. Before I agreed to go back to work, I thought long and hard, but the realty was that I needed to go back…for my family. As I mentioned, it’s not much but it’s enough. Another coincidence, I think not moment was when this opportunity to work came around. I thank God because the opportunity came at a time when I thought my husband and I were going to crash, when I started feeling worthless, and when the bills started to consume our dinner table.
Pinky took the transition pretty well herself. She got to spend time with Grandma and she finished her bottle for the very first time. Although it was difficult to leave her for a few hours, I knew that me going to work was me being a good example for my daughter. At the end of the day she is what matters the most. Everything I do, I do it for her!
No coincidence here, just a few answered prayers.
To read more of what pinky is up to visit our blog at http://thepinkyproject.com.