1) I'm actually not going back to work. I love my job and they are really good to me and I'm working up to delivery. But DH is doing a complete career change at the end of this month. He will be making more than he makes now, and working more often too, which means if I went back to work, I'd either have to do night shifts or pay for daycare, which we cannot afford with the number of kids we have. So instead I'm going back to school for the Spring semester..online classes only at first, and taking it slow depending on how crazy home life is.
2) bahahahahaha!! Time to myself... lol. I have three other kids that will need tending to. My oldest is in 2nd grade and will be in school during the day, but my other two are still at home. They both go to preschool, which I drive them to, on alternating days from each other... so even when one is in school for a few hours I have the other one with me. Then there's maintaining the household, getting food on the table, helping my oldest with homework, baths and bedtime routines, doing my own school work, oh and i exclusively pump so I'll basically be in a second marriage with my double electric. If I do get any free time, you will find me sleeping.
3) snuggles and cuddles and all the loves!
4) I wish.. I'm really sad about it and break down crying whenever I think of it... no he won't get time off. Mostly because we cannot afford for him to stay home to help. I really just hope he will get off work long enough to be with me the 3-4 day hospital stay and then at least the first day home with baby.. luckily the c-section is on a Friday, so having it over the weekend will help.
@clovelyone I want to work where you work! Your employer sounds amazing!
I've put off answering this GTKY because thinking about maternity leave sort of stresses me out...
What is your timeline for maternity leave? I plan to work until I go into labor or have a planned c-section. I get 6 weeks Short Term Disability if I have a vaginal birth, 8 weeks if I have a c-section, either way they're paid weeks but I have to use my PTO days for the first week. I also plan to take about 8 weeks unpaid after that through FMLA. I did just find out this week that my employer is about to start offering 1 additional week of paid leave during our FMLA time off, but it goes into effect January 1st, so I'm not sure if I'll be eligible or not. I'm hoping that if I don't actually start my FML until after the new year (since hopefully I'll still be on STD) that I can get it. I have to go speak with someone in the benefits office to get it all figured out.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing? Showering, reading, perusing the internet/social media, maybe finding some little ways here and there to make some extra money from home, and spending time with DH when he's home in the evenings.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing? Singing to them, going on walks if it's not too cold, watching them interact with each other
Is your significant other taking any time off? He's taking between 1-3 weeks off. My mom is staying for the first week or two that they're born, so I think we'll see how it goes and whether both of them need to be at home during the day.
I'm happy to see so many people are taking at least 12 weeks off! I could go on for days about our country's lack of regard for infants and mothers (we are the only developed country with no maternity leave!!! How is that possible?! I think even Afghanistan and Pakistan have paid leave!)
What is your timeline for maternity leave? I plan to work until I go into labor, but will stop seeing clients in November (I drive to people's houses) and focus on office projects. I will basically take Dec - April off and return in May. When I go back I will be working 4 days/week for 6 mos and my fiancé will work from home one day a week after his leave ends so that we only have to pay for 3 days/week of day care.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing? Sleeping or eating. I work with new parents for a living, so im pretty realistic about how hard those first three months are and have set the bar low haha.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing? Hopefully getting out of the house a bit (with baby of course).
Is your significant other taking any time off? He will take two weeks when baby is born, then have holidays off, and 5 weeks when I go back to work (this is all PTO he has accrued, his office has zero parental leave outside of FMLA and we can't afford to lose his income at all).
Me: 39 SO: 36
Dx: low progesterone, possible DOR - officially "unexplained"
TTC#1 since November 2015 9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN 10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN 1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018 May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
I know this is a GTKY, but I have a question for anyone in NJ. I know we get 4 weeks disability before the DOB, not the due date, but if I don't have a scheduled birth, how am I supposed to know when that 4 weeks should start? I'm a planner, and this is seemingly not plan-able. I get paid hourly, and the disability takes 2/3 the average of 8 weeks prior as your benefit, so I don't want to have days where I'm not getting paid because I left too early or it will lower my average. Does anyone have experience with this?
What is your timeline for maternity leave? My job doesn't have any benefits, so I'll be taking 4 weeks disability before and 6 after, and then 6 more weeks FLA after that. I'd like to be a SAHM for as long as possible, depending on our financial situation.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing? I love Korean tv, so I look forward to bingeing some new shows.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing? I don't know, everything?
Is your significant other taking any time off? He gets 16 weeks 100% paid, but he doesn't have to take them consecutively. He'll definitely be there for the first month or two, which is good because he's going to have to run interference with my mom, the MIL, and the step-MIL.
@babybison fellow Jersey girl here. This time I have a RCS so I'll know definitively when the 4 weeks would start (I'm working from home instead this time though fo Those 4 weeks) but with DS1, they went by my due date and the doctor had to fill out paperwork and wouldn't do so until I hit the 4 weeks prior.
My company pays 100% for 8 weeks after and then I can take the NJ bonding time of 6 weeks and that is paid at 2/3 of your salary.
I'm due Dec. 21st. And my last day of work is Dec. 21st. I'm hoping to make it to my due date working, that would/should mean I only have to start my days in January. (I'm a teacher) I plan to take until the day before Spring Break off (Teacher Planning day) that way I can prepare myself for coming back and then I would also get paid over Spring Break. I still have to work it out with HR.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing?
I honestly don't know. FTM here so I guess I will learn. I imagine doing laundry and trying to get the rest of the house clean. I've never been one for naps until this pregnancy so I imagine if my body needs it I'll prob fall asleep myself.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing?
Cuddling and spending time outside. I guess one benefit of having a baby in FL during Dec. The weather is generally nice as the summer months are just to hot.
Is your significant other taking any time off?
He plans on taking a week. It's season down here and as a nurse it's a hard time to be off because they are just so busy. My mom plans on coming down and helping me out. Which is great.
What is your timeline for maternity leave? We have a 16 week leave. 4-6 weeks before due date and 10-12 weeks after. I'm planning on working up until 4 weeks before my due date, then take 12 weeks after. I'm also tacking on some weeks holiday, so I probably won't have to start again until the first week of April
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing? At first just looking at her and feeling amazed that she's here. Later on during my leave probably watching Netflix and doing some crafts.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing? All the cuddles!
Is your significant other taking any time off? A couple days after the birth and the week of Christmas/New Year's.
What is your timeline for maternity leave? I am being induced so i will work my part time job until that date. I will then move to a different job as a third shift once i heal enough to return to work. I haven't even looked into our policy since i work part time and they are very flexible with me. I figured once i knew my inducement date i can file paperwork for leave and or quit and go from there.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing? Sleeping Or showering more than likely. I am having a hell of a time with sleeping now and showers are starting to be a struggle :-/. I know its worth it though.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing? Just playing with her and getting to know her personality. If im healed enough then maybe my fiancée and i can get out of the house while my mom watches her.
Is your significant other taking any time off? He has a week or two saved up in vacation time so he will use a week once shes here then he will have to return to work. He is the main bread winner so he has to go back sooner than i will. Once he goes back my mom is coming to stay with us for awhile until we get a routine going to where i can manage on my own.
What is your timeline for maternity leave? I plan to work up until I go into labor. I have a 5 day waiting period I need to use my own leave for after the birth before my short term disability kicks in. From that I will have 5 weeks paid off. After that I will be using more of my own leave to take off of work. So I am hoping to be out for 2 months from the time this baby is born. Should be returning to work around Valentine's day if all goes well.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing? Sleeping too! And doing whatever else I may need to do to stay calm and prepared-and spending time with my older daughter who is 4.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing? Playing, getting to know the baby more, seeing my daughter interact with the baby.
Is your significant other taking any time off? He will probably take a week or 2 off, with it being so close to the holidays he already has those off (he is self employed but makes sure he is "off" during holidays).
Re: GTKY: Maternity leave
So instead I'm going back to school for the Spring semester..online classes only at first, and taking it slow depending on how crazy home life is.
2) bahahahahaha!! Time to myself... lol. I have three other kids that will need tending to. My oldest is in 2nd grade and will be in school during the day, but my other two are still at home. They both go to preschool, which I drive them to, on alternating days from each other... so even when one is in school for a few hours I have the other one with me. Then there's maintaining the household, getting food on the table, helping my oldest with homework, baths and bedtime routines, doing my own school work, oh and i exclusively pump so I'll basically be in a second marriage with my double electric.
If I do get any free time, you will find me sleeping.
3) snuggles and cuddles and all the loves!
4) I wish.. I'm really sad about it and break down crying whenever I think of it... no he won't get time off. Mostly because we cannot afford for him to stay home to help. I really just hope he will get off work long enough to be with me the 3-4 day hospital stay and then at least the first day home with baby.. luckily the c-section is on a Friday, so having it over the weekend will help.
I've put off answering this GTKY because thinking about maternity leave sort of stresses me out...
What is your timeline for maternity leave?
I plan to work until I go into labor or have a planned c-section. I get 6 weeks Short Term Disability if I have a vaginal birth, 8 weeks if I have a c-section, either way they're paid weeks but I have to use my PTO days for the first week. I also plan to take about 8 weeks unpaid after that through FMLA. I did just find out this week that my employer is about to start offering 1 additional week of paid leave during our FMLA time off, but it goes into effect January 1st, so I'm not sure if I'll be eligible or not. I'm hoping that if I don't actually start my FML until after the new year (since hopefully I'll still be on STD) that I can get it. I have to go speak with someone in the benefits office to get it all figured out.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing?
Showering, reading, perusing the internet/social media, maybe finding some little ways here and there to make some extra money from home, and spending time with DH when he's home in the evenings.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing?
Singing to them, going on walks if it's not too cold, watching them interact with each other
Is your significant other taking any time off?
He's taking between 1-3 weeks off. My mom is staying for the first week or two that they're born, so I think we'll see how it goes and whether both of them need to be at home during the day.
What is your timeline for maternity leave?
I plan to work until I go into labor, but will stop seeing clients in November (I drive to people's houses) and focus on office projects. I will basically take Dec - April off and return in May. When I go back I will be working 4 days/week for 6 mos and my fiancé will work from home one day a week after his leave ends so that we only have to pay for 3 days/week of day care.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing?
Sleeping or eating. I work with new parents for a living, so im pretty realistic about how hard those first three months are and have set the bar low haha.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing?
Hopefully getting out of the house a bit (with baby of course).
Is your significant other taking any time off? He will take two weeks when baby is born, then have holidays off, and 5 weeks when I go back to work (this is all PTO he has accrued, his office has zero parental leave outside of FMLA and we can't afford to lose his income at all).
TTC#1 since November 2015
9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018
May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
What is your timeline for maternity leave?
My job doesn't have any benefits, so I'll be taking 4 weeks disability before and 6 after, and then 6 more weeks FLA after that. I'd like to be a SAHM for as long as possible, depending on our financial situation.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing?
I love Korean tv, so I look forward to bingeing some new shows.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing?
I don't know, everything?
Is your significant other taking any time off?
He gets 16 weeks 100% paid, but he doesn't have to take them consecutively. He'll definitely be there for the first month or two, which is good because he's going to have to run interference with my mom, the MIL, and the step-MIL.
My company pays 100% for 8 weeks after and then I can take the NJ bonding time of 6 weeks and that is paid at 2/3 of your salary.
DX Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Factor V Leiden Mutation, Secondary Infertility
MFI (SA #1Count 11mill, Motility: 18%, Morphology: 1%)
AMH .328 | FSH 13.2
I'm due Dec. 21st. And my last day of work is Dec. 21st. I'm hoping to make it to my due date working, that would/should mean I only have to start my days in January. (I'm a teacher) I plan to take until the day before Spring Break off (Teacher Planning day) that way I can prepare myself for coming back and then I would also get paid over Spring Break. I still have to work it out with HR.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing?
I honestly don't know. FTM here so I guess I will learn. I imagine doing laundry and trying to get the rest of the house clean. I've never been one for naps until this pregnancy so I imagine if my body needs it I'll prob fall asleep myself.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing?
Cuddling and spending time outside. I guess one benefit of having a baby in FL during Dec. The weather is generally nice as the summer months are just to hot.
Is your significant other taking any time off?
He plans on taking a week. It's season down here and as a nurse it's a hard time to be off because they are just so busy.
My mom plans on coming down and helping me out. Which is great.
We have a 16 week leave. 4-6 weeks before due date and 10-12 weeks after. I'm planning on working up until 4 weeks before my due date, then take 12 weeks after. I'm also tacking on some weeks holiday, so I probably won't have to start again until the first week of April
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing?
At first just looking at her and feeling amazed that she's here. Later on during my leave probably watching Netflix and doing some crafts.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing?
All the cuddles!
Is your significant other taking any time off?
A couple days after the birth and the week of Christmas/New Year's.
I am being induced so i will work my part time job until that date. I will then move to a different job as a third shift once i heal enough to return to work. I haven't even looked into our policy since i work part time and they are very flexible with me. I figured once i knew my inducement date i can file paperwork for leave and or quit and go from there.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing?
Sleeping Or showering more than likely. I am having a hell of a time with sleeping now and showers are starting to be a struggle :-/. I know its worth it though.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing?
Just playing with her and getting to know her personality. If im healed enough then maybe my fiancée and i can get out of the house while my mom watches her.
Is your significant other taking any time off?
He has a week or two saved up in vacation time so he will use a week once shes here then he will have to return to work. He is the main bread winner so he has to go back sooner than i will. Once he goes back my mom is coming to stay with us for awhile until we get a routine going to where i can manage on my own.
When baby is asleep and you have time to yourself, what are you excited about doing? Sleeping too! And doing whatever else I may need to do to stay calm and prepared-and spending time with my older daughter who is 4.
When baby is awake and fed/changed, what are you excited about doing? Playing, getting to know the baby more, seeing my daughter interact with the baby.
Is your significant other taking any time off? He will probably take a week or 2 off, with it being so close to the holidays he already has those off (he is self employed but makes sure he is "off" during holidays).
Together since May 19, 2001
Baby #1 was born in May 2013.