Mummascribbles – I would have been due back at work now – Mummascribbles

It’s pretty scary isn’t it? Where the time goes. The days turn into weeks and then before you know it, months have passed by without you even realising. To say that Oscar’s time on this earth so far has gone quicker than Zach’s ever did, is an understatement. I remember when Zach was a baby, I would be clock watching from around lunchtime. Of course I loved being home with my little boy, but in all honesty, just having a baby at home to talk to can be pretty boring. There is only so much playing and babbling you can do with a tiny person each day and it can be a massive relief when your other half walks through the door. 

With Oscar though, it has been completely different. Firstly, I have had Zach here too. Whilst on most days he really does drive me round the bend, he is a laugh to have around. We are busy doing things throughout the day and quite often, I don’t realise that it’s 4 o clock and the other half will be home in just over two hours. And on days when Zach is at nursery, when Oscar is asleep, I have blogging to do! I am far, far busier this time round and that is why it is going so much faster.

So fast in fact that I would have been due back to work right about now. If I hadn’t worked my butt off on the blog over the last nine months to enable myself to first of all take a year off and then eventually hand my notice in, I would have been returning to the office around this time. The thought of not being here with my boys and Oscar potentially already being in nursery makes me shudder. I feel like he just hasn’t been here for long enough for me to be leaving him. There is no doubt that I would have stopped breastfeeding him long ago in order for a smooth return. Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with any of that and it makes me so pleased. A friend of mine has recently gone back and so has my next door neighbour. And each time, I just wanted to hug them. For both of them it is their first child and it’s a time when it still often makes financial sense to return to the workplace. 

Today we went to visit Zach’s new school to find out all about the intake into reception. It was mentioned that they quite often have times when parents can go in and work with their child, whether it be on some maths or reading. My heart ached for the mum who asked if they did that kind of thing outside of school hours. Something that the working mums could take part in without having to book a days’ holiday. If I hadn’t managed to make money through my blog, that would have been me asking that question. I might have cried (I am an emotional human). I would definitely have been heartbroken.

Quite a few people were also asking about the after school club. Something I always thought we would be signing up for instantly. Instead, I will be there at the school gates at 3.15 waiting for him. Wating to hear about his day as we walk home. It’s something I honestly didn’t think would ever happen and it just makes me so happy that I can do it. Even if it’s not forever and I suddenly find myself needing to get a job, there will have been some time when I have been able to be that school run mum. 

Returning to work can be such a traumatic time – I found it incredibly difficult when I went back after having Zach. But we all have to do what we have to do in order to survive. For some, surviving is about not being at home with the kids all day and having a hot cup of tea at the office. And for others, it is being the one at the school gates. I know that right now, me not returning to work is the best thing for our family. Yes we would be financially richer if I was heading back into a full time role but I think we are richer emotionally by having me at home.