Difficult Transition (probably more so for me)

[ceeveg]

I am back at work for financial reasons mostly, after a blissful time at home with my 22mo dd. My work schedule and commute mean I am gone very early in the morning -- usually about 30 minutes after dd wakes up, and I return about 1.5-2 hours before her bedtime.

I do still have weekends free, but will be returning to school to finish out a mandatory degree/certification for my work -- I am hoping to find an online program that allows me to complete at my own pace and won't take away from my time with family on the weekends.

Beyond spending as much time with her as possible (she also sleeps with us), how can I help her transition into a period of less time with her mama? It is breaking my heart being away from her so much!

[sparklett]

My DS is considerably older than your DD (he's 35 months). It looks like I might be going back to an office job as early as next month. DS is at a point in his life where he is a total social butterfly. For him, the very best thing we can do is to enroll him part time in preschool. It will keep him occupied while I am gone, and I won't feel so bad about being away, since he'll be in his element with other kids. He'll go three days a week and will be home by 1pm each day. I'll be home a few hours later, so to me, it really decreases the amount of time when he'll be at home and I'll be gone.

I went back to work when DS was 11 months. I worked from home, in my home office. DH was the main caregiver during those long hours in the office. DH found that DS was MUCH happier when they were out and doing something, instead of at home and surrounded by reminders of mama. They do a weekly playgroup together, as well as library storytime, visits with friends and family, etc.

I suppose what I'm trying to suggest is maybe you could set up some activities for your DD that will keep her busy at least part of the time while you're gone. You might be happier knowing that she's off having a blast and she'll be a bit distracted and not focus on you being gone so much.