Extreme anxiety about returning to work tomorrow?

Question

I am starting a new job tomorrow, after being out of work for 6 months due to moving to a different state and having my son. I am having extreme anxiety issues, which is unlike me. I worked full time with my 2 oldest, now ages 3 and 5. My husband works second shift, so they will only be in their new daycare from 2-5:30, but now I will not see my husband until midnight and on the weekends, and I will only see my kids at night. I think it is harder because my daughter is starting kindergarten, and my son still has well baby checks, all of which I will miss and my husband will take over. Any advice, or maybe someone who can relate?

Answer 1

Don't look at the situation from a negative side. Try to think positive. You're going to work for a reason...to make money for the family, to support your children etc. Think of all that you're doing for them by going to work. That would be Step 1.

Step 2: When you see your children at night, you need to make the most of it. My suggestion would be to start something special with them that only you and your children do together. For example, with my own kids, every Thursday night from 7:30-815 we have Game Night. My boys take turns picking a board or card game and we play until the timer goes off. The winner gets a piece of candy and then we all head upstairs. They look forward to it every week and we've been doing it now for a little over 4yrs. My 4yr was born into Game Night...he thinks this is what every family does lol.  Those 45mins is a special time for me and my kids.  And while you'll be missing out on things here and there, you'll be making up for it then.

As for the missing husband issue, I know how you feel. My husband  took this job back in April where he's in Chicago M-F and flies home for the weekend. He's a weekend husband and I hate it. Unlike many of my friends, I actually like my husband :) so him being away 5/7 days isn't something I enjoy. We had the choice to all move to Chicago, but I didn't want to pick up and move the kids, since we built a new house in a new state in July 2007 when he was transfered then. We would lose out financially BIG TIME trying to sell it. He took this job because he's been with this company for years and is making good money. It's also something he loves to do. When he comes home on the weekend, it's hard to fit in everything and everyone in 48hrs. Just when I get use to having him home again, it's time for him to drive to the airport for his Sunday night flight. It sucks and we're lucky that this is only a temporary thing, but again...we make the time together we have special. 2 Saturday nights a month, we have someone watch our kids and we go out to dinner or go to see a movie that isn't rated PG ;). Or we cuddle up on the couch with the kids and relax. Make the best of it.

If you look at your situation from another angle and make the time you have with them special, you'll feel better.

Best Wishes =] and congrats btw

Answer 2

unless you can be a stay at home mom what other choice do you have you have to support your family. you just have to make the best out of the time you do have with your family. espically on weekends when your husband will be home. I work too and I miss my daughter so much but I have to make the best out of it and it was hard for me to get used to being away from her during the day but we both got used to it.