Oh boy, the anxiety of sending my little one to daycare hit me right from the moment I brought him home. I knew it was coming but chose to ignore it. We had checked out the daycare centers while I was pregnant, weighed the pros and cons, and settled on our top choice. But once the decision was made, I tucked those feelings away and avoided thinking about it. During my maternity leave, any mention of returning to work or who would care for my child was met with a swift change of subject. I was in denial, grappling with the first stage of grief over the impending separation from my baby.
The night before my return to work, my mom friends flooded me with supportive texts and messages. “You’ve got this!” and “It gets easier!” were common themes. I appreciated their encouragement, but deep down, I was angry—angry about losing time with my baby. If only I had known these eight things about that first day back, it might have eased the transition.
1. You’re leaving your baby with a stranger.
Sure, we met the daycare staff, but handing over my tiny baby to someone I barely knew felt surreal. It was a quick introduction, and then I was out the door. It felt so wrong—like a scene from some horror movie!
2. Prepare to cry.
I’m not usually one to shed tears easily, but the moment I walked out of the house, the floodgates opened. I mean, it was like those dramatic movie moments where the main character breaks down unexpectedly. Have tissues ready!
3. Treat yourself!
After that emotional rollercoaster, you deserve a little pick-me-up. Stop for your favorite coffee or snack on your way to work. It won’t fix everything, but hey, when was the last time you enjoyed a hot drink without interruption?
4. You’ll be the office celebrity.
Sneaking in and keeping to yourself? Not a chance. Expect everyone to greet you and ask about the baby. You’ll be sharing your drop-off story on repeat, so get your version ready!
5. Get ready for the “Are you back?” question.
You might want to respond with something cheeky, like, “Nope, just here for a fun day out!” but let’s be real—you are back, and it’s going to take some getting used to.
6. Bring a phone charger.
You’ll be glued to your phone, checking for any messages from daycare and obsessively scrolling through thousands of baby pictures. Seriously, my phone battery drained faster than I could keep up with!
7. You might lose it on your partner.
Even the most supportive spouses can unintentionally set you off. My husband was great, but after a long day, I snapped over something trivial—like shoes left on the floor. It’s the build-up of emotion; just a heads up for your partner!
8. Everything changes when you see that smile.
When I finally picked up my little one, all the stress melted away the moment he grinned at me. It was the sweetest reminder of why I was doing all of this.
So, as you prepare for your first day back to work after baby, remember—you’re not alone in this emotional journey. It may be tough, but you got this, mama!
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Summary
The first day back at work after maternity leave can be overwhelming. Expect to feel a mix of emotions, from anxiety about leaving your baby with strangers to the joy of seeing their smile at the end of the day. Prepare for questions from colleagues, remember to treat yourself, and keep your phone charged for those adorable baby pics. You’ll get through it—you’ve got this!