When I left work around 5:30 this afternoon, I found myself practically running across the bridge to get home. I couldn't wait. It struck me as a bit odd since I've been back at work part-time for nearly 3 months. But then I realized that today was the first day I was away for so long – almost 10 straight hours because I had a team lunch and couldn't make my usual trip home.
It was a depressing preview of things to come. Sophie starts daycare in a few weeks. She won't be home when I take my lunch hour. So these 9- to 10-hour separations will become the norm. Lewis is dreading it as well. We keep asking each other if she's too young to be in daycare all day. We've been thinking of how we can trim her time there. Even though we know it will be great for her development to be with the other kids and learn a lot of new things, we're sad that all our quality time with her will be drastically reduced. Right now I am home on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the idea of working 5 days a week feels insane.
In Sweden, parents of young children are allowed to reduce their hours to 80% so they can spend more time with their kids. And, I must say, I am seriously considering exercising my legal right to take Fridays off.
Say no more. I so get what you meant. I feel exactly the same way. I'm going to work 80% until the summer. After that we'll see. I feel working 80% is already too much. Jonatan worked 80% during the fall, and he found it rather frustrating although of course the Fridays at home with us he loved. But working 80% is really a myth and it never works because what really happens is that you work on your projects still 100% just in 80% of the time and with 80% of the pay. But it's worth it, I think (my opinion).
Kram.
Posted by: Nina | January 13, 2009 at 01:45 PM
If you can take Fridays off legally, go for it. It will make your weekends more relaxing because y'all won't be cramming in all your chores into two days.
Enjoy the family values of Sweden that we certainly don't have stateside.
Posted by: ADM | January 14, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Oops. I didn't see the comment above about working 100% in 80% of the time....
Posted by: ADM | January 14, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I know it sucks being back at work, but you will defintely see the positives of Sophie going to Förskolan. Leia is so much more social now and after the first full week, she was already showing us new things she learned. And her vocab has almost doubled. Being around other children is so very important. Her face just lights up when she sees her little baby-friends. :) I have days where I really, really miss her ... but I know that the separation is good for her but also me as well.
You'll get through it.. we all do. :)
Posted by: Hillary | January 14, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Do it! Take the time. They really do grow up so fast.
Posted by: TheSwedeLife | January 16, 2009 at 02:23 AM
I did 4 days a week after my daughter was born and it was the best decision ever. I saw a pie graph once that put all of your life into pieces of pie. Childhood, college years, married w/o kids, retirement. Then there was this little teeney teeny tiny slice that said your child being a baby. If you didn't look closely you would skip miss it entirely. Point is, don't miss it entirely. You have the rest of your life to work and only a little time to have her as a small baby. Take advantage of it!
Lisa
Parent of 2 (ages 8, 5)
Posted by: Lisa | January 29, 2009 at 10:58 PM