Very well done Jods... a true judge of character... I wouldn't worry about your husband with the little one, because with PTSD we often relate better with children, it actually helps us manage our own stress levels, depression and anxiety, because children are consuming, and it forces us to get back into life again. This is very well known with PTSD sufferers and children... children don't exert the adult pressures upon us, hence we can cope with their childhood ways, and find them quite therapeudic at the same time.

Thanks Jods we have to let it all out sometime dont we? Well done on getting your job back I hope it goes ok for you!
Jen

Jods,

Well done. I too had the same worry when I went back to work full-time this year. I must say for the most part Anthony and Alexander have been fine but don't be fooled that it is all roses. I have found that I couldn't really work late (I used to have to work Wednesday nights) as a day dealing with bubby was often enough. Things were okay as long as bubby wasn't in a mood or teething or generally unwell but the days that he was a bit off I could hear the relief in Anthony's voice when I got home. Be prepared to be worn out because there are days when I literally get in the door and Anthony is quick to do the baby handover. I mean literally keys in the door!! That can be wearing if you have had a tiring day yourself, then you have to drive home and so the day continues. What makes it worse is that nothing will get done at home. Its like theirs cups are just too full and there is no room to even think of doing anything else.

Strategies that I put in place were to get Anthony to the grocery shopping or pick up what is needed for tea - if he is able to. I also try and get a load or two in the washing machine of a night and ask if he can hang that out for me during the day. Bubby goes into daycare one day a week, so Anthony has him two days, break, two days and then its the weekend. Oh and Anthony and Alexander have regular playgroup on Tuesday mornings - its been good for both of them. There are two dads and I think four women and kids who go. Its not so much of a drama at the moment as I am about to go on maternity leave again and am not planning to go back to full-time work. Also convince your husband to tell you if he is unwell so you can operate around that, otherwise you will just go to work stressed. Its a bloke thing I guess but he will probably try and convince you that he is handling it even if he isn't. Lets face it, toddlers are tiring creatures..........they just don't seem to have an off switch!

Sorry to put a dampner on your good news but they say forewarned is forearmed. Like I said, generally it has been okay but you will need to have some strategies in place to make it easier on you.

Anthony,
Thanks for your honesty about being a stay at home Dad. Hubby has told me that he does feel comfortable with the house hubby role, for now.

Kerrie-Ann
Thanks for the heads up.
I did the old pros & cons list before making the decision & many chats with hubby about the changes we will have to make.
My boss is aware of our situation & has promised that she will do what she can to work around things if needed. The bonus is that I'm going back as a casual so if things don't pan out I can leave without being locked into the old put in a months notice.
My parents live near by so if the s***t does hit the fan we know they are only a phone call away to help us if we need respite.

The one thing I've learnt since hubby's accident is that you are better off keeping your REAL friends & family members that are willing to let you be & offer their support when you need it & if there is any dead wood weighing you down that you have to get rid of them.
Positive people around you help to keep you positive & catch you if you fall. The negitive ones will just try to drag you down with them & will kick you when your down.
I've pruned my tree & it feels good!

Jods,

Its good that you have extra support people to help out, they are a blessing if you are lucky enough to have them nearby. You are right about the deadwood, nothing like an illness to let you find out who your real friends are. We found the same thing and we are better for finding out. At least you are not wasting valuable time and energy on people who could really care less.

Just need to take my mind of hubby who as we speak is trying to get the courage up to get on a train from the city to come home. I offered to go in and meet him but bless his cotton socks,he wants to do it on his own.
Ahhh feel better just getting that out. Thanks

He is learning jods... he is pushing himself with dares, he is finding out again, relearning that nothing bad is going to happen by getting on a train and mixing with people. Great progress...

Thanks Anthony.

I keep reminding myself that he is the only that can do these sort of things in order to heal. I know its hurting him like hell but if it doesn't hurt him then he isn't going to get better is he?!
It just sucks seeing him hurting this bad. It freaked me out a little bit because it was like de ja vu,which in reality for both of us it is I suppose. I was just surprised that I was feeling just as helpless as I did back then.
MMMM-time for me to book another appt with my doc I think!

Exactly correct.

Not happy jan! Threw myself a quick pity party last night after doing my online assesment to go back to my old job (I was a checkout chick & before I left I was helping run/oversee the operators & do refunds etc). Imagine my surprise when I got an email telling me that I was not successful in my application as a checkout chick. Talk about knock me down with a feather! I'm just hoping my old boss has already put me through the system before they see my results! Had to laugh though. I mean of course a computer knows that I'd can't do the job based on a 1hr online assessment, maybe I was hurting it's feelings by hitting my keys too hard in order to complete it in the allocated time. Oh well just have to wait & see!
Just one of those weeks I spose- sick 3yo that cant go to daycare, trashed hubby from therapy & rejected by a computer. Had my 3 crap things for the week so it can only get better!