There are few things harder than sending your baby to daycare for the first time. It’s heartbreaking. It’s terrifying. You want the best for your baby and up until now, you have been there every step of the way. Whether you are returning to work because you are truly passionate about your career,or you just need the money— those first few weeks, maybe months, away from your baby are tough. Here are some things to keep in mind while preparing for those rough days.
Let someone else drop your baby off at daycare.
If you have this option, I highly suggest letting your hubby, a grandparent, etc. drop your precious babe off at daycare. There were definitely tears on Blaire’s first day. It was much easier to cry those tears as I was buckling her in to her carseat at home than it would have been to make our daycare lady pry her out of my hands in her living room while I cried my face off.
It’s okay to worry.
That’s your baby! You’re the one they’ve depended on for the past 12 weeks. And it wasn’t enough time. 12 weeks is not enough time to spend at home bonding with your baby. (You hear that, USA?! 12 weeks is not nearly enough time for a maternity leave.) If it helps you worry less, call or text your daycare provider. Chances are, you’re not the only first time mom they’ve ever had! They can assure you everything is going just fine. I definitely thought I’d call our daycare no less than 5 times on Blaire’s first day. But I surprised myself and made zero contact. I kept myself busy all day and just knew my girl was fine.
Remind yourself why you’re working.
There’s a reason you’re not quitting to stay home with your babe. Maybe you truly love your career or maybe you’d have to give up your disposable income to stay home. Whatever the reason(s) may be, remind yourself. If you truly hate your job, then it’s time for a change. Spend your breaks or lunch time job hunting. If you’re spending time away from you baby, it needs to be worth it! I want to give Blaire the world! Whether that’s making sure we can take her on trips or if that’s paying for her college (a long time from now!) I never want to worry about being able to financially provide for her. And for us, two incomes makes that much easier.
It’s a shame we live in a country where a parent’s rights aren’t protected. I’m sorry, but 12 weeks isn’t long enough with your little baby. And 12 weeks without pay can be crippling for some. It’s ridiculous to have to choose between making your house payment and bonding with your precious new babe. Here’s hoping our country can catch up to all other’s sometime soon, so us mamas don’t have to spend so much time away from our fragile little babies. Good luck mama! xo
Christine
oh wow! i had no idea you get so little time off with baby in the US. I’m in england and we get 12 months, with at least 9 months paid..
Big hugs to you. That must have been so hard.
Here’s to some laws changing for you all soon.
Trista
ChristineIt is totally insane to me the US is so far behind almost every other country… Thanks for your well wishes, Christine! xo
Hannah
Great tips, I can’t imagine how hard it is leaving your babe at daycare for the first time!
we are Dannah | Australian lifestyle blog
Trista
HannahThanks, Hannah!
Anna Mayer
I still remember dropping my baby off for the first time (16 years ago). It’s true, he didn’t miss me at all. ? And he’s a happy, productive teenager now. You’ll both get though it!
Trista
Anna MayerThanks, Anna! It was definitely rough. But now that she’s a little older she really loves seeing her little friends at daycare. And we’re both fine! ;)
Mama of 2, stepmom of 2 equals 4
What’s sad is that 12 weeks is NOT required to be paid leave. So unless you have enough vacation or sick leave you’re out of luck. Today is my last day at home with my little boy. He’s 8 weeks old and Monday will be his first day at daycare. My oldest is 15 and I can’t remember struggling this bad with sending her to daycare. Maybe because my first marriage was constant stress??? My son’s father and second husband loves all of us, even my oldest daughter like his own. This article gave me some comfort but one can still wish they don’t have to return to work.
Trista
Mama of 2, stepmom of 2 equals 4Oh, mama! I am so sorry you’re going through this. I believe our government owes us a minimum of 12 weeks paid, and they owe us much more than that… but even those 12 weeks would be a start. I am thinking of you and that baby of yours! The first few weeks are the toughest! Please feel free to email me or find me on Instagram if you need someone to talk to. xo
Carol Davis
That has to be so hard for moms ! I can’t even imagine it !