"How did it go?" A Human Mom's first day back to work.

The question everyone wanted to know... "How did it go?"

From my mother-in-law to my own mom to the village moms to my aunt to my husband, the amazing supports in my life texted, emailed, Facebook messaged, etc. to check on me after what was sure to be a stressful, possibly difficult day... But it wasn't. 

It. Was. Amazing.

When I woke up this morning, I was ready. I prepared for Baby V's first full day of daycare by doing several "practice days" (mostly for me). With each day over the last two weeks (we did four practice 1/2 days total), I felt more confident that I was entrusting her to caring, attuned adults who would love and care for her until I returned.

As a quick aside - I think it's really crummy that society uses language like "leaving her" when it comes to daycare and working moms. I never "leave" Baby V. I provide her with a wonderful place with amazing people who love her while I work. Having a child in daycare does not mean I am abandoning my parental duties or my daughter. End rant.

As I kissed Baby V and returned to my car, a wave of pure excitement came over me. I was going back to work, and I couldn't have been happier. For those who don't know me, I'm a therapist at a continuation high school, where I do trauma-based work with kiddos. I adore these kids, and being away for the five months of maternity leave was really difficult for me. Naturally, returning to my position as a support person in their lives was really exciting.

Throughout the day, I checked my phone, looked at pictures of Baby V, and texted the daycare providers a few times here and there. I also built two new meaningful relationships with awesome kids and reconnected with students I worked with last year. I met new members of my counseling team and collaborated with teachers about my students' needs.

The day was a balance between missing Baby V and being sad to not be with her and being thrilled to be at work with the students I care about. It was the first day I got to be a mom and a therapist, and it felt really great to be both.

It sure didn't hurt that Baby V greeted me with non-stop giggles when I got home =)