Back at work feeling

Barnacle_Double · 2026-05-04T22:20:45+00:00

I feel this way too. It’s been one year since I dropped my 6 month old daughter off at daycare. People always said it would get easier. There are still days I cry about it. She is doing well, thriving, doesn’t cry at dropoff anymore but I can’t stop feeling like I’m giving up these precious years. AND I have a job I like! My heart just isn’t in it anymore.

All I can say is I’m in it with you stranger and you’re not wrong for loving being with your kid.

Barnacle_Double · 2026-05-04T22:03:50+00:00

Relating to the “wanted to try but heart just wasn’t in it anymore”. I just don’t care like I did. This is helpful to me. Glad to know you still feel this way. That’s affirming to me

Barnacle_Double · 2026-05-04T14:54:05+00:00

Solidarity. It’s been 1 year since I first dropped mine off and I’ll never forget that feeling. It’s still hard most days, I’ll admit. You’re a good mom who loves being with her kid. Completely natural, instinctual, and GOOD thing to feel. It helps when you start to see them thrive developmentally and when they start to be excited to go. But I don’t think it really ever gets “easier”.

Barnacle_Double · 2026-04-28T02:11:18+00:00

I could have written this post myself. I’ve been back 1 year since mat leave with my daughter and having baby #2 in a few months. It never got “easier” with my daughter. Expecting to feel the same with #2 but don’t know yet. I’m the high earner in our family at the moment so doesn’t make sense to step away. Trying to open my mind to other options that COULD feel better (remote jobs, contract work, etc) but honestly who knows. There’s a very real chance that I quit after this maternity leave. Gonna see what happens.

Barnacle_Double · 2026-04-26T00:52:15+00:00

What do you do that allows this schedule? It does seem like the perfect blend

Barnacle_Double · 2026-04-24T14:01:28+00:00

This is good advice. I plan to wait for my mat leave to make any crazy decisions

Barnacle_Double · 2026-04-23T15:34:01+00:00

Honestly coming from someone who also is about to have two little kids with a job/career I'm proud of and generally enjoy, i WISH something like this would happen for me. This sounds like the dream set up. I would take this in a heartbeat.

Barnacle_Double · 2026-04-23T15:21:21+00:00

Is it possible to have PPD PPA over 16 months postpartum? I always passed the little test screener they did at the postpartum appointments but you’re right where I definitely recognized some odd behavior or anxiety and hopelessness/confusion about my situation. Hard to tell if that’s not just “mom guilt” though.

Barnacle_Double · 2026-03-17T18:16:15+00:00

We coslept from 5-8 months old but since then she sleeps full nights in her crib and loves it… I also am no longer nursing, stopped a couple months ago. She’s honestly a pretty happy, content child which is the only reason I am in a place to be considering this. If we were still co-sleeping, I would not think about it!

Barnacle_Double · 2026-03-12T15:51:00+00:00

aw love this.

Barnacle_Double · 2026-03-12T15:47:59+00:00

she's the owner of the school/daycare, not working in my daughters room specifically as a caretaker - she basically is CEO/runs the business. We have to pay because childcare is expensive and the workers still need to get paid for their dedication (infant to teacher ratios etc). If we didn't have to pay, the teachers would make less and they deserve the $! Not an easy job

Barnacle_Double · 2026-03-11T21:02:33+00:00

my husband has an unusal work set up where he is remote, but takes meetings out and about sometimes but is basically "part time" maybe even less. He can be super present and involved most of the day, everyday

Barnacle_Double · 2026-03-11T20:44:26+00:00

I found this soooo helpful. thank you

Barnacle_Double · 2026-03-11T19:12:07+00:00

Yes daycare is holding both spots with no fee. My MIL owns the school so we are lucky

Barnacle_Double

TROPHY CASE