Need advice about my time off after baby

I work for a small company. There are 5 employees total including the 2 owners. I work p/t 3 days a week. They are very good to me letting me switch my days off as needed, take off when I need to if DS is sick, days off to go on vacation, etc. I have been there for about 2 years but being it is such a small company there is noone else to fill my shoes while I'm out except for my bosses.

We begin discussing my maternity "leave" since my due date is getting closer and they told me to let them know what I wanted to do and we can go from there. I had a fairly easy recovery after having DS so I am hoping it is the same. They know of course, being father themselves, anything can happen.

This is what I came up with. Do you think it is fair? I want to give myself some time with the baby to get him on a good feeding and sleeping schedule, but at the same time dont want to leave them hanging.

-At least 3 weeks off after having the baby to get back on my feet
-Come back 2 half days a week for a few weeks from 10-2 (which my boss already suggested to me. He is not expecting me to come back full days right away.
-After a few weeks at 2 half days, start with 2 full days
-Go back to 3 full days after the New Year

I literally live 10 min. down the road from my job. I will tell them that at any time if they need me to come in extra or if my work is piling up I will of course adjust my schedule and come in extra as needed.

What do you think...fair to them? Fair to me?

Message edited 7/27/2009 9:20:20 PM.

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

i think it sounds very fair Your def accommodating your work...which I am sure they appreciate. and it seems they will be flexible to your needs to.

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

Advice/opinions from anyone else?

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

I think it's fine so long as they know anything can happen.

Personally, I think I would be too wiped to do the 2 half days so soon. I'm sure you can get by, but you might be pushing yourself. Personally, I would want a good 5-6 wks before having to leave the house for work

Can you do anything at home to help out earlier?

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

it sounds fair and if you're comfortable with it, then by all means.

its kind of nice to have that flexibility at your job.

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

I would actually ask for more time off just in case. If you are feeling great, you can always go back sooner, but you don't know for sure that will be the case. I would not have been okay to work until around 5 or 6 weeks, so if it were me, I would ask for 6 weeks off, then the half days, etc. You can always change it later, but if they are counting on you to come back after 3 weeks, it might be harder to change it after the fact if you need to do so.

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

I think going back in any capacity after 3 weeks while having a toddler is too ambitious on your part. I would give yourself at least a full 6 -8 weeks. Can you offer to work at home p/t after 3 weeks? That I might do but I wouldn't commit to coming back after 3 weeks. They hear you're coming back after 3 weeks and that is what they will expect of you regardless.

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

I would ask for 6 full weeks off after delivery first and take it from there. Your body needs to recover.

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

Re: Need advice about my time off after baby

I am planning on working till the end, and taking the full 6 weeks after the baby is born as well. Now, not everything is perfect, I am working in what if I need to take off from work early... I will take addational time. I def want that full 6 weeks to recover...