going back to school/work panic

[Shiloh]

Okay how do I do this?
I've never really left a tiny baby before.
I have school one day a week - Thursdays from 4:30-10:00...
a full course load in that time...to finish my degree by spring.

how do I do this? have nanny...she's great but not sure I want her bonding with my baby (HORMONES I KNOW
Would it be unheard of to ask dh to take an early day my first day and bring the baby to school for feeding? I am pumping its going well...

How do you emmotionally prepare yourself and this is small potatoes compared to women who go back to work when their babes are tiny...
anyone got advice?

[heatherRN]

I was a teaching assistant for a large course (graduate nursing research) and the faculty had no problem with an infant in the back row as long as no one was disturbed. The student removed her self as needed and no one was bothered. It doesn't hurt to ask.
Not sure how that works in smaller/more intimate courses though. Could the nanny bring your little one for breaks? I haven't worked a shift without seeing my ds in 2 years! My dh loves to bring him for nursing/bonding.

[Shiloh]

I've got three other kids...
and the bus ride for the nondriving nanny would be an hour..

Maybe having dh bring the baby half way through the day like at 6:30/7pm for his last feeding and ...who knows....or having dh pick me up...
I would think about bringing the baby but I'd spend ALL MY TIME OGGLING HIM and not paying attention...

I think I will talk to my professors about the bullsh*t nights...like if they choose to show a movie or if they are going to post their stuff anyhow...
and I am taking one correspondance...sigh....

can't I just escape to some tropical island and nurse him forever?

[_betsy_]

It's one day a week. You have an excellent care provider whom you trust (It sounds like! and YEAH!). Your separation will be minimal.

These are all very, very, very good things.

You'll make it work. In the end, you will be so happy you did, getting your degree is a huge accomplishment!

I went back to work FT at 7 weeks PP. It sucked, but it had to be done. DD was FINE. She's with DH (90%) or MIL (10% or less), and she's never had a night so bad DH called and asked me to come home, not even jokingly. She's 23 months old now, and when I leave for work, she says "Bye Mama! Call you later!" (Which is what I say to her, that I'll call home later, before she goes to bed. So cute! She also says "I'll carry you" when she wants to be picked up. Where's that lovey heart smiley?)

[Shiloh]

yes its minimal time...
but its that first foot step out the door that kills me...

and being at school with my postpartum princess abs..leaking boobs and resigned to the fact I should probably bring my breastpump backpack lest I open firehydrant some poor co-ed.....lol
around a bunch of perky 22year olds.....sigh....

[allborntogrow]

How old is your baby? Could you just bring her in the sling for the first two (maybe even just one) class?

Everything will be okay!!! Just think of how much good you are doing for all your children by finishing your degree.

Good luck!

[Shiloh]

he's 8 days old today...well I guess 9 since its past midnight!
I could bring him, but there are a lot of germs (its a large university tens of thousands of students) and if he got fussy I'd probably give up and drive home...

My first class is September 4rth (UGH) he'll be 19 days old..
I get Yom Kippur off....so only five clases then...seven days of classes until winter exams...okay its seeming like smaller potatoes....now...

I will check my class schedual and maybe I can miss one or two here or there if I get too weepy...

[AKA_PI]

It is just one day a week, it shouldn't be too bad. Try it for 3 weeks and then consider altering plans. I feel bad about going back to work at 9 weeks PP but it has to be done. Luckily I'll get off early and still be home by 5 with Kendall everyday. :

[_betsy_]

Honestly, the first day will be HARD. It is for every woman, no matter how old baby is, no matter how much they like their classes/work, no matter how motivated they are. That first day just sucks.

But you have an end in sight!

[Shiloh]

I am wondering if I shouldn't work up to it like leave the babe for an hour then two to get something done...