Just venting. Had 8 weeks with my newborn and it was the best time of my life. Now I'm back and my daughter is changing so fast and I'm missing it. Missed her first smile. Missed her first time grabbing my finger intentionally. I know I have to provide but man this sucks. Already talking to my wife about cutting back to 4 days a week even if it means less money. Is anyone doing that?
That's such a tough spot. Eight weeks of that connection and then having to step back is real, and your frustration makes total sense. Trying to find the silver lining is hard when you're living it.
I feel this in my bones. The hardest part is knowing how fast it goes and being stuck at a desk watching it happen through the phone. Hang in there.
Eight weeks is not enough time. I took 12 weeks and I still didn't want to go back. That bond you're feeling right now is real and it sucks to step away from it. Are you able to do anything to ease back in, like working from home part time?
This is the real talk nobody wants to hear about. We frame it like it's some amazing time off but then you go back to work and realize you got robbed of something huge with your kid. Is your workplace flexible at all?
The financial reality is brutal though right? I felt the same way after my leave but we literally needed the income. Have you thought about what it would take to make a change or is it just venting for now?
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Newborns change so fast it's crazy. Do what you can on evenings and weekends - I know that's not the same, but you're still showing up for her every day.