Mom Blogger Returning to Work Pens Heartfelt Open Letter to Her Son's Daycare Workers

Whether you’re eager to head back to work after taking time off to be with your new baby or you’re mostly making the move to support your family financially, returning to the office after an extended leave can be overwhelming.

Not only does this transition affect you, but it also means a change of pace for your kid. Laura Mazza, of the popular parenting blog Mum on the Run, is currently going through this transition, and shares her sentiments with her Facebook followers. Her biggest concern—how will her baby handle daycare?

“As I prepare to go to work next year, the realization that I have to leave my littlest man has dawned on me. My heart is broken with guilt,” she admits.

She then engages in an open letter to her son’s future daycare workers, begging them to love him like their own.

“To the future daycare of my youngest, love him, please. I know you won’t be able to do it like me, but love him,” she pleads.

She then discusses all of her favorite pastimes with her baby she’ll no longer have the pleasure of taking part in during the day, but hopes his daycare family will still shower him with those same affections.

“I won’t be there to cuddle him when he wakes up after a nap, so please give him a big one for me. Really, really tight. When he cries, hold him and tell him it’ll be okay. And when he smiles, when his whole face lights up and he gazes into your eyes, smile back at him and gaze into his,” the mom says. “Sing him songs, hum him lullabies, tell him stories and hold his little hands in yours. When he’s tired, you can rock him to sleep; he likes that.”

And when her son inevitably asks where his mom is, she hopes he’ll understand why she can no longer be with him around the clock.

“Tell him his mumma is working hard for him to provide for him, to make his life easy and give him the best,” Mazza explains.

And, most importantly, she asks they love him. “I know you won’t be able to love him like me, but love him like he could be your own, because he is my special little guy.”

Returning to work after maternity leave can be hectic. While it’s the last thing you want to do when you’re home with baby, a little back-to-work prep before the big day will help take away some of the stress from the situation. And be sure to refer to The Bump’s helpful resources to find the best care for your kid.