maternity leave w/ second kid

I took a long maternity leave (5 months) with DD and was planning on doing the same this time around but now am wondering if I'll want to go back earlier at like 4 months because it will be a lot to be home that long with 2 kids...I dont necessarily want to short DS on his time with me if i can do longer but also dont want to take longer than I need to because I am much busier with work now than i was when i took off when DD. The one thing I do know is that i def want to do 4 months its the 5th month i am questioning...

Thoughts?

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

i would play it by ear (that is my plan)
I took a little over 3 months with dd and would love to take more this time
but it all depends on a: what my job will allow and b: what i end up feeling comfortable with - dd will be home with me while on maternity leave so i wont be able to give the newborn as much attention as i did with dd...and napping wont be easy. who knows, i may want to go back after 2 months

i plan on telling my job ill be out for 3 months and if i decide to take longer ill let them know

maternity leave w/ second kid

If you can stay home that 5th month, I say do it. It is hard, I am not denying that but nice to get to spend one more month home.

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

I went back from #2 in November- yes, 2 is a lot but by 2 months, we had a system and a schedule and it was great. I loved being off with both kids and wish that I could have stayed out longer.

If your job allows for it, definitely do it. I went back at 3 months out of necessity both times and thats just too early- they are just about getting fun at that point.

maternity leave w/ second kid

I took off 6 months with DD- partially by choice and partially because I got laid off in the middle of maternity leave =) This time around, I plan to be home for about 10-12 weeks-- much shorter this time because I will not have a paid leave and because when I go back to work it will be part time so I am ok with a shorter leave. I agree that if you can., leave your options open!

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

I stayed home for as long as I possibly could with both. I even remember feeling bad because I had 2 less days with #2 than with #1 because of how the calendar fell.

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

I would take the time. You won't get that opportunity again. By 5 months you probably will have a nice routine that you wouldn't want to rush back to work for.

maternity leave w/ second kid

I only took off 8 weeks with DS and I was DYING to go back.

Is your DC #1 going to be home or in daycare/school? If so I think it might not be that bad being home with both since there will be a chunk of the day its just one.

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

I took as long as I could with my daughter and will do exactly the same with a second.

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

I think you should do what is best for you now. Just like each child will be different, your life is different with each. What was best for DC1 might not be the best for DC2. Do what feels right for your family. I bet you'll know when the time comes. Hopefully you don't need to let your company know before hand.

I also wanted to add that 4 months is great if you choose to take only that time. Many women would kill for that opportunity, so don't feel like you are shorting your time.

Message edited 1/23/2014 10:25:08 PM.

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

I went through the same debate and wound up doing the longer maternity leave with #2 (stayed home 4 months with DC#1 and 5 months with DC #2) because I got to spend the time with both of them and I wanted to get a really good routine going with both of them before I had a nanny take care of them.

Re: maternity leave w/ second kid

Me personally I would stay out as long as possible.
#1 I went back after 2.5 months because I had to.

#2, I was out for 3 months( scheduled to be out for 5 but a promotion at work brought me back 2 months early)

#3 I was out for 5 months.

and #4 I was out for a total of 7.5 months( 1.5 months on bed rest and then 6 months home with my DS)

I would play it by ear, if your job it the type where if you say 4 months and you really want 5 they won't extend it. Then ask for 5 and if you decide to come back early i'm sure they wont complain.