How much maternity leave are you having/did you take?

TurnaroundSue

gizmodo wrote: »

TurnaroundSue, you shouldn't feel guilty at all. You did the best thing for your baby at the time. *Big hugs*

Thanks for your kind words, I know what you are saying is right, but it doesn't make it easy it making the guilt go away - and I really wouldn't want anybody else to feel like I do so long after the event!! There is enough guilt on working mothers anyway no matter how long you take off on maternity leave, so just wanted to make sure that you do not carry any extra burden by not taking off enough time when they are little.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Maybeanotherday

I went back to work when my daughter was 15months old...because I could afford too! I was living in a rented house with not much responsability.
This time I will be going after the 6months is up as we cannot afford to go with mortgages,another child,cars any longer.
To be honest if it helps I think in some ways they are better off going younger my little girl didnt settle very well at 15months and clung to me...while mums with 6month babies where sailing past me to put there kids in without any fuss
Im sure whatever you decide will be the best!

hayleyc_2

I took 12 months maternity leave, so my baby was about 11 months when I went back to work. I only went back part-time though. He's looked after by my mum and fiance's mum on the 2 days I work. If I hadn't had family close by and able to look after him I think I would have waited until he was a bit older. I can't see how I could have afforded child care, and I wouldn't have been keen on him going to nursery or a child minder at such a young age. It's worked out really well, so I'd definitely do the same if/when the next one comes along

Hayley

kitchpoo

I took a full year with both...on it at the moment...will struggle when smp runs out but it's worth it. Also you have to consider if you want a short maternity and the baby is late...and you have a c section which happened 1st time round...it all eats in to that time. I noticed it and I took a year!!

Poodlecrazy

Hi

From the other side of the spectrum, I went back after the absolute minimum which was 2 weeks, although I did work from home for most of the first month back due to nursery restrictions. I went back properly at 6 weeks.

I was lucky, I had a very healthy baby who slept through the night from week 2 and I was absolutely fine. In fact I was back running within a week. I certainly wouldn't plan to go back after a month, you just don't know how you are going to feel / how your baby is going to settle etc. For me, however; it worked and if I had another I would hope to do the same.

P
x

Maybeanotherday

Poodlecrazy wrote: »

Hi

From the other side of the spectrum, I went back after the absolute minimum which was 2 weeks, although I did work from home for most of the first month back due to nursery restrictions. I went back properly at 6 weeks.

I was lucky, I had a very healthy baby who slept through the night from week 2 and I was absolutely fine. In fact I was back running within a week. I certainly wouldn't plan to go back after a month, you just don't know how you are going to feel / how your baby is going to settle etc. For me, however; it worked and if I had another I would hope to do the same.

P
x

You lucky lucky lady...what's your secret

Rachel83

With baby number one i had to go back when she was 4 months old needed the money. Baby 2 currently still cooking ... i plan to go back after 11 months... taking the full 9 months SMP and also im entitled to 10 weeks holiday ...

Just need to find a hobby now lol

RoxieW

Poodlecrazy wrote: »

Hi

From the other side of the spectrum, I went back after the absolute minimum which was 2 weeks, although I did work from home for most of the first month back due to nursery restrictions. I went back properly at 6 weeks.

I was lucky, I had a very healthy baby who slept through the night from week 2 and I was absolutely fine. In fact I was back running within a week. I certainly wouldn't plan to go back after a month, you just don't know how you are going to feel / how your baby is going to settle etc. For me, however; it worked and if I had another I would hope to do the same.

P
x

Well I went back a day after spitting mine out - baby was fine, he was making his own meals by then. The following day I ran a marathon - I was disappointed to only make second place though!
Sorry - only joking - Please dont take offence, I couldnt resist! Seriously, what's your secret to getting your baby sleeping through the night at 2 weeks? My two were both a year old before sleeping through the night properly - my eldest was a nightmare 2 hourly feeder until about 8 months! I'm currently 8 mths preg with third and dreading the sleepless nights again!

To the OP - I didnt go back to work until my youngest was 2yrs and I still get the guilts about that so no constructive advice really - apart from, know your right re flexible working etc and possibly go back part time??

gizmodo_2

Thanks for all the responses.

Thought I'd just update you on our decision. We're now waiting till June before TTC. This gives us 6 months of saving up on top of the 9 months that I'll be pregnant. This will mean I can take the full year off.

I've been in my current job for nearly 4 years. After 6 months of working there it did come up in conversation with my colleagues/bosses and they said they'd like to be flexible if it happened (I was the first girl to join the company). I daren't bring anything up now as I don't want them to know that I'm planning on starting a family.

slscarborough

With DS1 didnt go back at all and we just about managed on OH wages. Went back to work when he was 5 and at school. With DS2 went back when he was 5 months old and hubby stayed at home. (I was the higher earner so it made sense) I am about to go on maternity leave in 4 weeks and if I do go back I will take the maximum which is a year plus 5 weeks holiday.

I am not planning to go back though. OH retrained whilst he was a SAHD and now earns a much better wage. He went back to work when I found out I was expecting again.