Parenting

Maternity Leave: What I will and won’t miss

I thought a whole year off work would seem like a really long time when I walked out of the office at the end of June last year. In reality it has flown by. To begin with it felt like a holiday, the UK was experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching 36 degrees, and I spent the last few weeks of pregnancy sun-bathing in the garden, reading books, and cooking. I got nearly 6 weeks by myself as little one was over two weeks late.

When I look back at the past 10 months, the time has gone so fast, but when you’re in the trenches of the 4 month sleep regression and hour long feeds the days can seem so long.

I have 2 months left of my maternity leave before I return to work full-time (4 days in the office, and 1 day working from home) and now it is starting to dawn on me that I really should make the most of these last two months. I have loved being able to have a year off work to spend with my daughter, it has had its highs and lows and I thought I would capture what I will and won’t miss about maternity leave.

What I will miss:

  • My daughter! I will miss her every minute of everyday when she’s in nursery. I’m already dreading the moment I have to hand her over for her first day in nursery on the 28th June.
  • Seeing all the new things my daughter does everyday, she is currently going through rapid change at the moment, every day she does something new and I’m worried that I will miss these little things.
  • Long walks around the local park, doing 2 or 3 laps just to get her to sleep. I worked out that I have probably done about 700 laps since the start of maternity leave, and over 1000 miles of pushing the Bugaboo.
  • Endless coffee and cakes with the NCT ladies throughout the week, sometimes we meet up as much as 3 times a week. It will be a shock not seeing these ladies as often, and only being able to meet up at the weekends.
  • Pub lunches in the week, who would say no to a glass of wine or pint.
  • All the baby classes we go to – Baby Sensory and Baby Bounce. I feel that these have been fundamental in my daughters development, and they have created a routine for our week. I would recommended Baby Sensory to any new mum with a new born baby, we have been going since our little one was 5 week’s old.
  • Feeling like I can just about manage everything from looking after our daughter, keeping on top of the housework and washing, and cooking meals for us all (and blogging too).
  • My daughter…..did I already say that.

What I won’t miss: 

  • Struggling to get my daughter down for her lunchtime and afternoon nap, sometimes this can take up to an hour to do. I hope the staff at her nursery will have some magic ways to get her to sleep.
  • Nappy changing, these are getting more and more interesting as her appetite grows.
  • Finding a half drunk cup of tea in a random place in our house, or forgetting that I had drunk my tea.
  • Doing everything at home from then washing, cooking, cleaning etc….Tasks will have to be shared, and a cleaner employed.
  • Feeling like I keep playing with the same toys over and over again with my daughter, or reading the same books. Once she is at nursery she will have a raft of toys to play with/books to read.
  • Constantly thinking about what I going to cook for my daughter, and making sure that she has enough variety in her diet. Although I will still need to think about to think her food, it won’t be everyday.

How did you spend the last few weeks/months of your maternity leave, is there anything that I should definitely be doing to make the most of the time we have left before I go back to work, and she goes to nursery?

Thank you so much for reading.

Claire x

The Pramshed

127 Comments

  • A mum track mind

    Aw Claire, this makes me feel kind of emotional. I’m only four months into my year of maternity leave and I am so dreading having to go back to work and leave my daughter in nursery so I can really relate to this. Haven’t tried Baby Sensory so I will maybe give that a go! Enjoy your last few months of maternity leave x #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Laura: Adventures with J

    Baby sensory sounds fun as does the 1000 laps of the park… although the natter and cake with the girls sounds the best ☺ nursery doing food is definitely easier although I know I would miss the downtime naps give me. I would try to go on a holiday even if it is just a couple of nights in the countryside or a local beach camping. I would also try to visit a couple of local attractions such as a farm park or aquarium mid week while you can as there are less crowds and definitely a few lunches or mid week date nights for yourself! Enjoy x

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Laura for reading and for your lovely comment. We are off to Spain for a week or so at the beginning of June, I can’t wait for that, and to have some sunshine. Local attractions sounds good, I’ll try my best to fit some of those in with the girls. Can’t believe how quickly time is flying. Thanks for reading and for commenting. Claire x

  • Double the Monkey Business

    Going back after being off is a hard adjustment. I stayed at home until the twins were three and I really missed them at first (still do to be honest), I had a huge attack of the mummy guilt even though the kids LOVE kindergarten. Although, that said, I did enjoy going to the toilet on my own and drinking a hot cup of tea during the week – working definitely has its perks ha ha! I hope you enjoy the last stretch of maternity leave and you have nice plans for the weeks ahead. x

    • The Pramshed

      I can imagine after three years the adjustment was even harder for you hun. No matter what age they are, I’m sure that you will always miss them, but as you say having time to do things in peace must be heaven. Thanks for your lovely comment, I will certainly make the most of these last 8 weeks. Claire x

  • Lisa Robb (@workingmumy)

    I am due to leave for maternity leave in august this year.Last time round i was only off 4 months. I plan on doing the same this time round. but reducing my hours 🙂 instead of a 8hr shift, it will only be 6hrs hopefully!! I felt las time it missed to much and she got attachment issues to our babysitter which was heart breaking.

    Great Post!
    Lx
    http://workingmumy.blogspot.com
    #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you so much for your comment lovely 🙂 I hope you have a fab maternity leave, you must be on countdown now? Argh I not looking forward to leaving her in nursery, but I know that she will really benefit from it. Claire x

  • islandliving365

    Oh my goodness how many miles with your bugaboo!! That is crazy when you think of it like that. Sounds like you have had a really lovely mat leave and that you have done lots of wonderful things. Make the most of these last few months and when you start back at work savour those hot drinks! 🙂 #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      Yes so many miles, I couldn’t believe it when I worked it all out the other day. I’ll definitely make the most of the last 8 weeks – need to do more things in London. Thanks Emma for your lovely comment. Claire x

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  • Squirmy Popple

    I can really relate to this post as I’m also heading back to work in about two months. I have really mixed feelings about it – while I feel like nursery will be good for my daughter because she’ll be exposed to new people, toys and experiences, I’ll really miss seeing her everyday and watching her grow. I’ll also miss all the buggy walking, believe it or not – I lost a bunch of weight after giving birth because of it, and I’m afraid I’ll gain it all back! #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Same here, I think I’m smaller than I was before I was pregnant! It will be hard to see her go to nursery, but work will keep my mind occupied, and it’ll be home time before I know it. Thanks for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • rightroyalmother

    Oh lovely, I am in the same boat. I go back on July 11th and am so not looking forward to it … but at the same time, I can’t wait for the freedom of having a hot cup of tea whenever I want it and adult conversation. I think we have to feel lucky we can provide for our children and that we’ll be there for them every morning and evening. Good luck! (and lovely linky name btw :)) #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you, it will be so hard! I’ll let you know how it goes and how I feel about it, once she’s in nursery. Yes we need to feel lucky that we can provide, and that they will get a whole lot out of going to nursery too. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • mumzilla

    I was lucky enough to find a good childminder who sent me pictures everyday and wrote copious notes on food & nappies. She was brilliant, so I was really happy at work and at home! You’ll be fine and your daughter will love all the new experiences xx #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      Ah that’s lovely Sarah Zilla, I hope that I also receive good feedback from the nursery at the end of each day. I’m sure that my daughter will love it. Thanks for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • Louise

    Hope these two months go by slow and you can make the most of that time you have together before your little one starts nursery. I never went back after maternity leave so have no tips to add but I can imagine that there are many things that you certainly won’t miss about being home with your little one in amongst all the wonderful things that you will miss. #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks for your lovely comment Louise, and no worries on no tips. Yes there will be things I really miss, and some things I breathe a sigh of relief that I don’t need to do. Claire x

  • beautybabyandme

    Enjoy the next few weeks I hope the weather cooperates and gives you sunshine to enjoy! It is scary how quick the time goes by. Keep having lunches with your NCT friends while you are able to – I’d be lost without my NCT girls, and continue the walks and fresh air. It really can help so much xx #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      I really hope that we continue to meet up, it’ll be much harder to do so as I’ll be limited to weekends – which are often so busy! And, I hope the sun comes out to play. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • Agent Spitback

    Oh, this is such an emotional time. I remember missing my kids so much when I had to go back to work. I think I cried more than them. Now that I am back at work, one thing I do not miss is the morning school rush at all! So there are some perks of working! No more screaming in the mornings for me. Make full use of your last two months and just enjoy each other’s company. #FortheloveofBlog

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you I will definitely make full use of the last two months, I’m sure that they will fly by as this year is already moving at some pace! I’m not sure how I will feel the day that she goes to nursery, but we have intro days and I will take my husband with me on her first day for moral support. Thanks for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • min1980

    I spent the entirety of my maternity leave a) sitting in Costa Coffee b) watching Homes Under The Hammer and c) doing laps of Wembley Stadium trying to get Piglet to sleep. The only thing I wish I had done was go public with my blog a bit sooner (at the time my blog was private, for reasons too complicated to explain here). When I look back at it now it was lovely to have so much time just the two of us together, but I think I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if I didn’t know it had an end point. All good things come to an end! Best of luck with your return to work. #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      I’m intrigued how you managed to do laps of Wembley Stadium? Yes all good things must come to an end, and I couldn’t do this forever, it will make me appreciate the time we do have together as a family at the weekend. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • Emma - meandbmaketea

    I think I was ready to go back tbh. my son was 11 months old. I love the balance we have now and the time I spend with him outside of work is really special. just enjoy the time you have left 🙂 #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      That’s lovely to hear you say that Emma, it makes me feel more confident that everything will be ok – which I’m sure it will be. I will enjoy the last 8 weeks. Claire x

  • babiesbiscuitsandbooze

    Oh bless you Claire it must be hard thinking about going back to work. What a lovely post. I love the fact that we can do whatever we feel like doing, whenever we feel like it. It’s also nice to know I see every little thing as he changes so quickly like you say. I’m sure you will enjoy getting back to the workplace though my lovely! #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Ellen for your lovely comment 🙂 Yes I agree with you on that, think it be some adjustment going back to work, but it will be nice to have some “me” time on the train. Claire x

  • Jakijellz

    Aw this brought it all flooding back! I was a mess before I went back to work, or in my case started a new job. I couldn’t bear the thought of being away from my little boy. I was lucky enough to have his grandparents so I didn’t have to contend with the idea of a nursery having him at that age (it was bad enough at 3!) but it was still hard. But that was three years ago and we got through it and it was so good for both of us, as it will be you. I wish I’d read you ‘what I won’t miss’ before I went back! A great outlook to have! #ForTheLoveOfBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Ah that’s lovely, your so lucky to have family around to look after your son that must have made it a bit easier. Unfortunately we have no family near us, so nursery is the only option. I know that she will love it, and really benefit from it, but it will be so hard at first. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • jaxbest

    Wow, a year of maternity leave? Is that “normal” in the UK. In South Africa we get 4 months and I have just immigrated to the USA and I hear they get 6 weeks (disgusting).. Although I am not sure if I am correct on that point. However it is an emotional time but I found going back to work amazing yet sad.. Now I am a housewife… I guess that shows how it all worked out 😉

    • The Pramshed

      Yes, in the UK by law you can take up to 52 weeks, which is amazing. So I took the max amount to have the longest time with my little one. I can’t believe it’s only 6 weeks in America, there is no way that I could leave her at 6 weeks she was only just feeding properly then. I hope that you are really enjoying being at home with your little one 🙂 Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • justsayingmum

    Oh I remember thinking a year was such a long long time but it flies by – there is good and bad in a way and I remember so being ready to use my brain again and pop my gorgeous clothes on and a heel and go and be me for a day – oh and to have girly chat without even mentioning children … you’ll love it – the best of both worlds if part time – and a cleaner? wow – that’s got to make up for everything hasn’t it?! Loving the linky lovely – so many posts on day one – amazing! #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you so much lovely for your fab comments on my post and Linky! Yes when I left the office to start mat leave, I thought a year is such a long time, but you are so busy and it really does fly by! A cleaner for only a few hours a week to do the bathroom and the floors -things that I don’t want to be doing at the weekend. Thanks so much for your lovely comments again. Claire x

  • Baby Anon

    The first two weeks back were hard….and then it was brilliant. The balance between work and motherhood made Mother feel like ‘her’ again. It will be tough to begin with but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
    #fortheloveofBLOG

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  • ljdove23

    Ahh I have never had a maternity leave as I am a stay at home mum, so I can only relate to this on the level that the things you wont miss are the things that drive me insane!! I can only imagine how much you will miss your daughter but she will be in good hands and it will be lovely to spend the quality time with her when you are not in work. Good luck!! #FortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you lovely 🙂 It will really make me appreciate the time that we do have together in the morning, evenings and weekends. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • tammymum

    Oh goodness I feel for you on that first day back it will no doubt be tough. I’m sure you will all get used to it quickly though, and the little lady will prob end up loving nursery. I still haven’t come to a decision about my return to work (which is technically in 3 months) but if I am to go back I think you have summed up all the things I would and wouldn’t miss pretty well there. Xx #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      I took forever trying to decide, I don’t know if it will work, working full time but I’m going to give it a go. If it doesn’t work then we can change it – it’s so nice to have the flexibility. I hope you make you decision soon, let us know how it goes. Thanks so much for commenting. Claire x

  • Motherhood IRL

    I don’t really remember what I did, but I do remember crying on the eve of my first day back at work the first time around and whining “but I don’t want to go back because I’ll miss stuff!!!!” It’s so hard having to leave them at home or nursery! But you will really appreciate the time you do have together, and that’s pretty cool. #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      It will certainly make me appreciate the time we have, and it will be really sad on her first day. More sad for me, than for her, I’m sure. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • occupation:(m)other

    Ahh wow, it’s scary how quickly time can fly with little people in our lives. I don’t have any great tips…just to try and enjoy the last bit of midweek routine together as best you can. Are there any friends, perhaps some that don’t live near, that you want to squeeze a visit in with? I always get put off by weekend crowds so defiantly echo what Laura said…if you can get to a couple of places like that when quiet then brilliant! #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Lucy, it’s one of the things on my bucket list to do more London things before I go back to work, to make the most of the time left. It’s so scary how time flies, I can’t believe it’s May already. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Claire x

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  • Lauren

    I go back to work the same week- I feel like having to leave her with the nursery will be like losing a limb! The list of positives is something I really needed! And the nice reminder about less nappies is quite a big plus! Also, I love sensory and might have accidentally on purpose sorted my work pattern to fit around it…

    • The Pramshed

      Ooh we can be “back to work buddies” 🙂 I hope it goes really well for you, and I’m glad that my post helped you. Let us know how you spend your last weeks of mat leave. Thanks so much for commenting. Claire x

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  • Mrs Lighty

    Ah I felt exactly like this and wrote a very similar post! Use your time left wisely, but know that it won’t be as bad as you fear. Thanks for hosting #fortheloveofBLOG, looking forward to many more weeks of linking up! 🙂

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you for saying that, I’m sure it will be just fine. I’m hoping to take my husband with me for drop off on her first day for support. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • prettyinplaydough

    I start going back to work on Satueday and I also thought a year would be a long time. Wrong. It makes me feel sick to my stomach that I have to go back but unfortunately needs must! Just don’t think about it! I started counting down when I had two months left and that was a huge mistake 🙁 enjoy the rest of your Tim off!

    • The Pramshed

      Oh no, I will definitely stop the countdown! I hope your first day back went really well, and your little one had a fab time. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • To Arizona and beyond

    Sounds like you’ve had a lovely maternity leave! You’ll have to make sure you make the most of your weekends and holidays, you’ll appreciate your time together even more! Good idea to hire a cleaner!#fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you, yes a cleaner is a must, just to give me the weekends with my little one and husband. It has been a fab 10 months so far, and I intend to make the most of the remaining 2. Thanks so much for commenting. Claire x

  • Suburban Mum

    Ahhhh I hope it all goes well for you Claire. I dreaded going back to work the first time round and felt very emotional about it all. My son had been with me 24/7 since the day he was born and had barely been left with anyone else. The first few weeks were tough but then being able to have lunch and have adult conversation,being able to pop into a shop and try clothes on.. all those things I could do whilst at work made it a little easier for me and I made the time I cherished the time I did have with my son a lot more.

    I hope it goes smoothly for you! xx #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Same Maria, my little one has barely left me side at all – certainly not for a whole day – so it will be very weird for us both. I think her first day will be harder for me than her, and I know that she will be fine. I’ll let you know how it goes. Claire x

  • twotinyhands

    I can’t give you any tips or coping methods in afraid. Our little ones are a similar age. We have decided that I’m not going back to work. Some of your what you won’t miss reasons are ones that I worry about that might cause me to struggle staying at home. All the positives are going to outweigh this though! Hopefully. Good luck x

    • The Pramshed

      You will be fine Karen, as they get older I’m sure it will get easier with less nappy changes and less sleep schedules. Well done on making that decision, I hope it wasn’t too hard for you. Thanks for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • Petite Pudding (@petite_pudding)

    Oh maternity leave does just fly by – I have to go back in a few weeks when Pud’s is only 6 months old. From past experience it does really make you cherish the time you have off together and everyone quickly falls into a routine. Good luck on your return to work! #fortheloveofBLOGS

  • Kate

    One of the things I’ve loved most is summer picnics, and just being able to chill out and enjoy good weather when it’s around! I’m a stay at home mum, so have never gone, ‘back to work’. Still dreaming of having an uninteruppted cup of tea!

    • The Pramshed

      Fingers crossed we get some weather, and we can go on some picnics in the park. I hope that you manage to get a hot cup of tea soon. Thanks for commenting. Claire x

  • Paranoid Working Parent

    Hey, I am reading this as part of #fortheloveofBLOG and I must say I could relate to everything. I went back full-time after my daughter turned 8 months. I was ready to go back, but boy did I miss my NCT buddies (most of which weren’t returning to work full-time, and were planning on a full 12 months off). I think what I miss most about being on maternity, is the fact that I was on maternity and that was it. Juggling parenting and work is hard – it now matters whether I get out the house on time, whereas on maternity, if I was 45 minutes late it didn’t matter. The worst part about going back to work is not knowing what your daughter is doing during the day – but the cuddles you get when you walk through the door of home or nursery are magical! 🙂

    • The Pramshed

      Yes I think that will be hardest thing, is not being able to do the stuff that I am doing now – long lunches with the girls and the babies. It is going to be hard going back, and juggling everything! :0 It will make me really appreciate the time we have together. Thanks for your lovely comment 🙂 Claire x

  • The Unsung Mum

    So true! I’m lucky that i work from home but when the time came to make that choice all the things i would miss flashed through my mind! Great post and all spot on! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Jess Powell (Babi a Fi)

    I only work part time so it wasn’t too bad. I went back to work after two months (she’d been home about 5 weeks), so I didn’t have too much time to get into a ‘home’ routine which I think helped. I got really upset in the days before, but once I was actually back it was nice to have people to talk to, etc. x #fortheloveofblog

  • everythingsrosieandgeorge

    Dropping G off at nursery the first time was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do with him but he’s been going once a week for 4 months now and he loves it, I barely get a cursory glance over the shoulder now and his development, especially socially has come on leaps and bounds! I’m in awe of you going back full time with a little one at home – you’re a SuperMum and setting such a great example xx #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      I’m so glad that George loves nursery Rosie, it must be so good for their development! I really hope that my little one loves it just as much. Let’s see how supermum goes when I go back to work. Thanks for commenting lovely. Claire x

  • Mummy Rules

    Have you been to baby cinema yet? That was one of my favourite things to do on maternity leave; it’s basically film screenings in the day for mum & babies only; there is usually one in every city. I’d love to go with baby no2 but toddlers aren’t allowed in too! (Not surprised!) I say keep meeting up for those pub lunches and NCT chats and hopefully the weather will be nice in the next couple of months too. Sounds like you times the end of your Pregnancy well with sunbathing – mine was January so I was very bored (but on the plus did start blogging!) #fortheloveofBLOG PS. Congrats on first linky party!

    • The Pramshed

      We have been to baby cinema at the Picturehouse, it went ok, but my little one was so fed up of sitting on me at the end of it, now that she’s practically crawling I’m not sure if it would really work – thank you so much for the suggestion. I can see it being difficult with a toddler as well as a baby! Fingers crossed for a spell of hot weather. Thanks for commenting lovely. Claire x

  • Ali Duke

    It’s been a while since I started to work again after having my kids. I hated the thought of leaving them at first, but then once I was back and settled I realised it was nice to get out and have adult conversation a few days a week lol.
    #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      I think it will be difficult to leave her at first, but as we both get used to a new routine, I’m sure it will work out just fine. Thanks so much for commenting. Claire x

  • thetaleofmummyhood

    I can relate to almost every point in this post! Especially when it comes to feeding my eldest and keeping her interested with variety.

    Baby Sensory was something I’d thought about but never actually did, that is something I will look into now I’m just coming out of hibernation after having my second!

    #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      I hope you do get to do Baby Sensory, I found it so good for her development – the older she got, the more she enjoyed it too. Feeding is so hard, there is a constant worry that they are not getting enough or enough variety. Thank you for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • alexsbabyblog

    Aww I’m not going back to work after my maternity but I will be going back to Uni in September which is only about 2 hours a day for 3 days a week and I am very emotional already. I was there for a meeting a couple of weeks ago and I just wanted to quit or maybe take him with me haha. I never thought it would affect me that much. Good luck when the time comes! x

  • Emmaplusthree

    Aw this is a lovely post. I can’t offer much advice though as I was and still am a stay at home mum. All I can say is just try and enjoy your time together and try not to worry about going back to work. x #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      We will definitely enjoy the last few months, and I’m trying not to think about going back to work. It will all be fine once we have found our new routine. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Claire x

    • The Pramshed

      Oh no! That is so short. Yep we are allowed by law to take 52 weeks leave from your current role, which I am so grateful for, I’ve been lucky and had a fair chunk paid and then we get a statutory allowance of £136 per week up to 39 weeks, the rest has been unpaid so I’m dipping into savings now but it has all been worth it. Thanks for reading and commenting. Claire x

  • Mamma Bear

    It’s so amazing that your country allows you to take an entire year off. Here, in India, we get around 3 months of paid leave. But no matter how long you have with your baby, I’m sure it definitely would be painful to go back to work. Looking forward to reading more stories about you and your little girl. 🙂

    #fortheloveofBLOG

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  • anywaytostayathome

    Aww that’s bought back a lot of emotions for me. When I went back to work I was a mess, but then I had a horrible job with horrible people, that first nursery drop off will be a wrench. My only advice is pop something onto FB or your blog and let everyone else make you feel better, it really helped me to know on that day I was not alone, not at all. I actually now love the nursery days and so does he, so so much. I really hope your return to work is a happier tale than mine xx #fortheloveofBLOG

  • nipperandtyke

    It isn’t easy, but I’m sure your daughter will love nursery, by the sounds of things you have been out socialising her a lot so far, so she is bound to love having all the new people around eventually, if not on the first day! I hope that makes it easier on you. I went back to work full time when my son was only 6 months old, but had a year with my daughter, and only work three days a week at the moment. There is definitely more dread there for me about returning to full time work in September, but the dread of it was probably worse than the reality! If that helps!?
    Enjoy your remaining time, and remember that in a previous life two months off would have seemed like ages, so I am sure you will pack in no end of special times.
    x Alice
    #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      Thank you Alice for your lovely comments, yes that really helps! I think I’ve been dreading it since the day I left to go on Mat Leave. I’m sure that once we have found our new routines we will be ok. I hope it all works out for you when you go back to work full time. Claire x

  • Katie Gregory (@therewegoblog)

    Ah, reading this made me a bit sad! I felt like I wished my days away while I was on maternity leave, and I wish I hadn’t. It can feel so long at the time, but when you look back it’s actually just a dot on a much longer timeline. I’d say just enjoy doing nothing, if you can. As in, don’t feel like you have to plan loads of special things into these last few months (I did) – just enjoy not having to be tied to a schedule, and doing what you fancy. Even if that means staying in your PJs for the day because it’s raining! That’s what I miss most. X #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      I hadn’t thought of it like that, that’s a nice way to look at it, before a new routine kicks in – thank you for that piece of advice, now you’ve made me not feel so guilty about not doing the housework, washing etc…..Thanks for your lovely comment. Claire x

  • carolcliffe

    It sounds like you’ve done so much already on you maternity leave. There was so much I wanted to do which I just didn’t find the time or energy to. It’s difficult to give advice as every child and every parent is different – you might love being back at work, or you might miss your daughter like hell (or both), but you will work out the right balance for you. Good luck xx #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Nadia - ScandiMummy

    Oh Claire I know exactly how this feels. I work three days and Caspian is at nursery for two of those. I hope your little girl will love it as much as he does, as it does make it easier. Enjoy the ordinary moments and remember that every time she does sometime new even after you are back at work, the first time you see it is still the first time for you and no one can take that away from you. I have also found that I’m a better mum – or at least it feels that way – now I get to do other things meaning I can be more dedicated when I’m with him. I’ll stop rambling now, but best of luck with everything #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Mummy & the Mexicans (@ruthhilbrown)

    You’re so lucky in the UK getting a year of maternity leave; here in Mexico it’s only about 42 days before the birth and 42 days after, so a lot of people have to leave their one and a half month old babies in daycare. That must be so tough. I didn’t get any maternity leave as I was working for myself and ended up teaching classes in my home right up to the day before my daughter was born! I decided to get a job in a school when she was almost five months old, which was difficult, but I needed to work. #fortheloveofBLOG

  • louisaellins

    Lovely post! I can definitely relate as I’ve only 6 weeks left… Determined to enjoy as much as I can – it will be weird going back to work but I’m looking forward to more adult company

    • The Pramshed

      Enjoy every minute of it, I feel like I’ve only got days left especially as we have nursery intro sessions every day next week. I’m more worried about the routine, and how I will fit everything in. Thanks for your lovely comment xx

  • Rebecca

    Aw. I feel emotional for you Claire. A lovely post. And although I’m not working full time, I think I’d find similar things to you! The food thing I definitely find it a relief when Ernie eats at crèche as I know he’s had something ‘proper’! Definitely try to enjoy the last few weeks, and let all the little things go. Enjoy the moment. The hoovering can wait (for the cleaner!) 🙂 X

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