Going back to work after baby

I'm 33 weeks work part-time and plan on working until the end of September (due 10/10).

I plan on returning and was given the option for either 8 or 12 weeks of maternity leave.

I love my job, i love the people i work with but i can't stand the thought of leaving my baby.

I was just wondering how many gals out there planned on returning to work but are now having second thoughts.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I go back and forth. I am due 10/14 and plan on commuting to NYC for all of Sept and then working from home until my due date. I get 12 weeks off so if the baby comes on time, I will go back mid January.

Part of me wants to stay home, and part of me wants to go back. I will be going back, but I think I may try to find a less demading job closer to home evene for a pay cut afterwards. I'll just have to wait and see how I feel and how hard it is to juggle.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I am due this coming Sunday and I am working up until the baby decides to come out!

I have been very lucky in the sense that I have been working from home for the past 2 months which has made my life much easier... and the end of my pregnancy much easier.

I will be taking 12 weeks off with the baby.. the most I can take, then the plan is to go back to work. Honestly, I would much rather stay home with the baby as it kills me to have to leave him/her so soon, however, we have bills to pay and don't think we can afford to be on one income.

I think that is an issue with a lot of moms, they need the second income despite the fact that they want to stay home with the baby.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I don't admit it to my DH because it would make him feel bad but I WISH I could stay at home after DC arrives. The issue is that I make more money and we need my income.

With that said, I will probably take 6 or 8 weeks and then talk to my boss about working from home the following 4 weeks. After that I might work from home 1 or 2 days a week. I'm glad I have that flexibility. My mom is retiring this year and my dad passed away so she is going to come live with us after the baby comes. My ideal is for her to stay with us for at least 6 mths even though DH says she can live with us forever!

Re: Going back to work after baby

I was set on taking the 12 weeks, but I think I'm going to end up just taking the 8 weeks, which kills me. I would love to stay home, but since I make more money than DH (and we need both incomes) I have to go back to work.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I plan on taking 12 weeks and then going back to work. I don't want to but we need my check to help pay the bills.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I'm returning after 6-8 weeks, depending on delivery. I would love to stay home longer, but financially we can't swing it.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I am going to stay out at least 12 weeks but aiming for the 17 I am allowed to take at my company. I have no desire to go back but have to in order to pay the bills.

Re: Going back to work after baby

Im due 9/28 and will not be returning to work until 1/2.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I am taking 12 weeks and then going back full time. DH wants me to take a year off or work part time, but at this point I feel that I really like my job and want to try going back. I told him if after a few months we don't like it we can reconsider.

I did tell DH that I would rather work now and be home when the baby is 4+. As an infant we know we arent there, but they dont think they are missing anything. As a toddler or a child in school they will know if I miss a school play or if they are the only one whose parent isnt going on the field trip, etc. Plus we wouldn't have to worry about who drops off or picks up DC and coordinating all of that. Then I figure we could have #2 and it would be the best of both worlds.

ETA: I know some people who couldnt wait to go back to work, they thought they woudl be a SAHM and it just wasnt for them, and vice versa of course. So I figure I will give it a try and see how it goes

Message edited 8/27/2007 1:05:45 PM.

Re: Going back to work after baby

I DO NOT want to to back! Having said that, being out on bed rest since March and barely getting disability, I really don't think I have an option. I am a teacher so I will get an extra week w/ the holidays, but as of now I have to go back 8 weeks after she is born which will be January.

I have already cried to DH that we need to find a way for me to stay home because not only do I not want to leave the baby, but I hate where I teach and I know they will make it hard for me once I am back (they gave me a very hard time when I went out for bed rest).

Re: Going back to work after baby

Re: Going back to work after baby

i am going back to work. Though I work from home, so its a bit different for me when I go back to work . I can still check in with the baby

Re: Going back to work after baby

I plan on using all my sick time which is about 4weeks. Then going on disability for another 8 weeks with half pay. If it is financially possible for us I will go back to work but 3 days a week for a couple of months. Which my job allows us to go back 60% for upto one year after baby is born. It kills me though....just the thought of finding a daycare or someone to take care of our little baby. I want to stay home but unfortunately financially I can't.

Re: Going back to work after baby

i have no choice but to go back. I am hoping to go back 4 days a week..Financially it will be a little tougher on us, but i'm praying my job will go for it.
I just cant imagine being away from the baby for all that time while all these other people (grandparents)are taking care of him. I'm very appreciative that they are going to help us but i wish i could stay home...but i cant

Re: Going back to work after baby

ri finally returned to work after the baby was almost 3 months... it was due partially to the fact that I was BROKE and we couldnt live on an airman's salary....

my job was so grateful i returned that i make my own schedule... next month im going abck almost full time-- little by little-- until i am ok with DS going to full time daycare--- this way I can ease into it