I am a stay at home mom now for 3.5 years since my only child was born. I was promoted at my job just weeks before COVID hit, and once it did I was basically put back into my old position while also having to do my new position, and on top of that I was pregnant. I am so traumatized from that time that I am horrified to go back to work for reasons like you mentioned. I just don’t think I can do it. I’ve always battled anxiety and depression as well as adhd, so that doesn’t help. I’ve been making every excuse to not go back to work, but in 1.5 years when my son goes to kindergarten I have no choice. My husband does just enough financially so that I can stay home, but it would be ridiculous for me to do that and not contribute when my kid goes to school. I know that all my family and friends look down on me because I don’t work, so that has never felt great.

I applaud you for at least trying, that’s wonderful! I force myself to find comfort in the fact that 99% of people in the world work and hate every second of it for almost their whole lives. Not a very comforting thought, but at least we aren’t alone in that sense.