After giving birth to a child and going on maternity leave, it is incredibly difficult for many mothers to leave their baby at home and return to work.

Charlie Kirkaldy is a 38 year-old mother from Workingham in Berkshire, England who took ten months off to be at home with her baby son. When it finally came time for her to return to work, she was having a very difficult time  emotionally.

Charlie hired a nanny to watch her son while she was at work, and after just one day on the job, the babysitter wrote the new mom a note that left her in tears.

“It’s always so hard leaving your child when you go back to work but for many it’s a necessity,” Charlie explained. “This morning I experienced a range of emotions: nervousness and excitement at the prospect of going back to work, but the overriding feeling was sadness and guilt for leaving my son in the care of somebody we’ve only recently met.”

When it came time for Charlie’s first day of work, she was facing a one hour and fifteen minute commute to London.

When Charlie returned home that night, she found a note from her nanny on the dining room table.

“For you today will feel so long, so here’s a little something to keep you strong,” the note read. “Tissues to wipe away your tears, invisible reassurance to ease your fears. Coffee to drink and take a while, to paint back on a make-believe smile. Chocolate to make it a bit more okay, and to help you get to the end of the day. Sam will be fine – happy and loved – I promise xx.”

Charlie was so touched by the note that she burst into tears. She knew right then that she had picked the right woman for this job!

“The thoughtful gift she gave me this morning just goes to show that. Her kindness and understanding of how hard it can be for parents brought tears to my eyes and has made my first full day apart from him a little less painful.”

Now, Charlie can rest assured that her son is being taken care of by a loving and caring woman during the day!