oh please tell me i can do this!

[inky leeuhhh]

i unexpectedly have to go back to work. i love being a sahm, and im terribly upset over this. i have at least found a wonderful preschool to work in as a teacher, with a wonderful co teacher. however, it doesnt change the fact that im going to be away from my girls long hours. ill be working 9 am to 6 pm. dh would be picking the girls up from daycare between 2 and 3 when he gets home. dd2 is breastfed, and will only take milk from an oral syringe, so im worried about her. dd1 is nearly 6, homeschooled and autistic, so this will be an adjustment for her as well. i have found a nice cozy home daycare that i am happy with so far, and it is very close to my home and work. i guess i just need some reassurance from some of you who are doing it and feeling good about it. especially if you are working full time. we really need the money- it will totally save our christmas. i was going to have to ask my mom for xmas money otherwise and i am NOT a borrower normally. we will also be able to move out of this tiny apartment we have been living in, and buy some much needed new furniture. i know i am doing this for all the right reasons, i just cant shake that guilty mommy feeling .

[bluebunny]

Kids adapt and I'm sure your girls will quickly fall into a new routine. How wonderful that they get to spend 3-4 hours with Daddy in the afternoons! You have to do what is best for your family and if working outside the home makes your family more financially stable, then you will adapt to the change and so will your children. Lots of children thrive in daycare, especially when the caregivers are warm and loving. It will be an adjustment but you will be fine.
BTW, love your children's names!

[inky leeuhhh]

thanks blue. gwyn took a bottle last night and that made me feel so much better. i was afraid she would have a hard time with not eating and it was one of the major causes of my stress. yes i am happy at least that they will get to come home fairly early, and i will also see them on my lunch break. i did work before with dd1, but i worked where she went for care so it was a little easier. i know i will get used to it over time, too. i think its just a shock because it happened so fast. i went from thinking i had almost another year left to dh getting his hours cut when we were already barely making it and having to go back to work in a little over a week (i was so lucky to find something almost right away!).