Love Thursday & "don't leave me mummy"

for love thursday, my cousin’s beautiful daughter.

My cousin, who had her baby 5 weeks before I had my third son, is getting prepared to return to work, and to leave her precious little girl for about 8 hours a day.

In December, my 1 year of maternity leave will be over, and, should I choose to, I can return to the relative sanity of the office, I can return to adult conversations, I can return to stimulating discussions, I can return to challenging deadlines, meetings, coffee breaks, and a regular pay-cheque.

But, even as I write this, I am saddened to even ponder returning to the glory of being employed, and leaving behind my 3 little monsters. And on a day like today, a day when I had all 3 of them constantly wanting something from me, sucking every ounce of energy out of me, forcing me to sometimes seek solace in the closet even, I still cannot imagine leaving them.

Although I had gone back to work twice already, this time feels different, this time I look at them and feel in my heart that they need me to be around. It is as if they know competing with each other is hard enough, and it would be impossible for them to get my attention if, in addition, I had a ‘real’ job again.

In about 2 weeks I need to give my employer notice of my intensions. Remain employed – working outstide the home, or become a ‘home-maker’?

Thoughts from shaz

Thanks Satharielle, its so great that both you and your hubby can work from home.

I worry about working from home because of the money mainly, and also because I wonder if I will get enough time to actually do the work.

Koonj… I know! Sometimes it can get a bit depressing because a whole week can go by without me stepping out of the house!

Thoughts from Kay

I have no choice but to work to save money for our baby’s future but it’s all gonna be worth it. Whatever you decide to do, it should always be what would benefit all of you.

Happy LT!

Thoughts from MamaSutra

I am in almost exactly the same situation.  I am due to be back at work in December after a year at home with my two girls.  My decision to go back is one I’m having a hard time with.  Thanks for this post, and I love that photo!  So sweet!

Thoughts from mokey

you know shaz….you are lucky that you get one year maternity leave in canada, here in trinidad we get three months….think about that….what’s worse is that you get one month full pay, and two months half pay….that sucks….in a nut shell, in trinidad, after giving birth,you get little or no time at all to spend with your newborn baby, and no compensation…

Thoughts from shaz

I know… Canada is really good with that. You know in the states I think they have only 2 months of mat leave.

Thoughts from Maliha

Salamaat Shaz,
this is a hard decision…could you arrange an alternative work schedule? telecommuting sort of deal (not that it’s ideal; but it’s something)...or part time?

Anywho, may Allah enable you to make the best decision for your family and your sanity

Hugggsss….

Thoughts from 1girl2boys

It’s tough, I know.  I miss my little ones everyday that I leave.

Thoughts from Schatzi

Yeah.. 1 year Maternity leave would be awesome!!  We have 12 weeks here.  The decision to go back to work is so hard!  It was a decision that was made for me (money wise) but I would have loved to stay home!

Thoughts from crunchy carpets

Tough choice……

You have to really think deep down in your soul what you make you happy as a happy mom is a good mom.

Or..you could make a career change and free lance and try working from home!!

Hahahahaha..funny yes…but you never know!!!

Thoughts from Daddy Forever

Yes, it is hard to choose. I decided to work at home even though I could earn more working for someone else. I figure I could return to the work force later when the kids are older and no longer wants me. It has not been easy because I only make half of what I use to make.

Thoughts from Anila

I’m sure whatever you decide will work out to be the best for your family, somehow it always does. 

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Eid!

Thoughts from Pass the Torch

What a decision!  I think “what’s right” is different for everyone.  I didn’t quit to stay home with my kids until they were 18 months and 3 1/2.  I only had 4-6 weeks off with them at birth.  I think I did things kind of backwards.  Now I’m homeschooling, after sending htem to school for 4-6 years.

If I could just get my act together…

Whichever choice you make—I hope you figure out a way to make it work for your family.  Best wishes!

Thanks for your comment on the experiment;)

Thoughts from shaz

thanks for all of your thoughtful comments.

I think that working from home would probably be ideal, but not for my current job… it may end up being too demanding.

crunchy mom… I would like to freelance actually, well more like I want work on getting some steady clients.

God willing, it will work out. I think I am sort of waiting to start promoting myself and building up my own business before I officially quit, but sometimes, you just never know!

Thoughts from Satharielle

This is one of the hardest decisions to make.  Leave your kids during the day to go back to work and make more money, or stay home and be a full time parent (very challenging and yet very rewarding).  I was lucky, my husband and I made a business from home so one or both of us is able to be here all the time save a random meeting here and there when the grandparents get to babysit for the day.

I’d say just follow your instincts.  If you really feel they need you more at home than youre needed at a day job, then find a way to make staying at home work.  If you really need the sanity break of work to be the best parent you can be (as well as the financial boost) then go to work and make sure whomever is caring for your wee ones is the best substitute for you they can have.

Working from home can be wonderful and difficult.  At an office it’s easy to get the job done, at home, there are so many distractions and without someone else to keep the little ones busy so you can get done what you need to get done, it can be very difficult.  I’ve had to get my work done after the kids have gone to bed just to have the quiet I need to actually think and create I wouldnt give up working from home for the world though.

Good luck on whatever you choose

Thoughts from koonj

Being home f/t w/bebe makes it harder to get out. its awful. takes away the ability to move, man.