Re: Maternity Leave - Am I crazy?

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I thought I would ask you all, since your little one's have already arrived. I currently work full time doing marketing for a local bank. I was thinking to take 4 weeks of straight maternity leave, meaning no one could bug me with work. Then I was thinking to take the last 4 weeks as more of a time to work from home, meaning I could get my full pay (the first 4 weeks would be vacation time).

I would be able to work whenever, so it would be okay to do stuff at different times throughout the day. I would only be focusing on about 1/2 my job, which is development and maintenance of our internal and external websites. I wouldn't have to go to meetings or anything like that. All of my communication could be done via email.

So, my question for those who are there, am I crazy?

LTGirl

I wouldn't say crazy (I can certainly understand why you would want to do it), but there was no way I was ready to do work after 4 weeks. It was all I could do to get a load of laundry done and a shower once in a while. Things improved quite a bit after about 6 weeks, but at 4 weeks it was all still kind of a blur.

GRKaters

I had the opportunity to work from home almost as soon as DS was born, but I couldn't do it. No way. I had NO brain power and I needed to sleep as much as I could since nights were so rough. I didn't feel like the postpartum fog lifted until after 8 weeks. I honestly don't remember much about anything before then--stuff I do remember is pretty much only because we have pictures (like 4th of July and such).?

?

tamzainc

I don't think you are crazy, but I thought I would have time to work on my thesis during my maternity leave and I was so wrong! It takes time to get used to your new life and it is a time to enjoy your little one. Although, my DD was not the happiest baby at first, so many days were spent holding her almost all day! If you are blessed, your DC will be a happy baby. Whatever you choose to do, good luck and enjoy!

nhonzel

I suppose you could but I am just getting my bearings after almost 2 months. It might be difficult to find time to work at home that early when all you do during waking hours is feed, change and put baby down for naps. I am lucky if I get time to shower or eat!

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like a

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like a good

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like a good opprotunity

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like a good opprotunity to

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like a good opprotunity to spend

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like a good opprotunity to spend more

steffny

I went back to work when DS was 4 months old and -I am able to work from home a few days a week.  I find that I am able to get stuff done while he is sleeping however- it is deff a challenge at times. You never know what kind of mood your LO could be in and it could be difficult depending how strict your deadlines are. That said it seems like a good opprotunity to spend more time

nhonzel

and this is all under the assumption you have a baby who isn't very fussy, doesn't have colic or is "easy" in general

ridesbuttons

Not crazy but it will be difficult with your first.

 

I found with my first born I was both bored and unable to get anything done at once.

 

With my second, I have been 'back at work' (my own terms, my own hours) since he was a week old.  It's a family business (my family) and so the decision to work was based on what was best for my family.  But everything is so much easier the second time around.

 

If you do plan to do this, you must take advantage of the great number of hours in a 24 hour period your child will sleep.  First of all, you must get sleep and second of all, you must be ready to 'work' whenever your child is sleeping and you are not.

 

It can be done, but it will probably be harder than you thought. 

betsnup

I did it at 6 weeks, and I will say - it was VERY hard.  I worked from home, had in-house help, and still was exhausted/overwhelmed, etc.  And that was only really working 2 days a week.

amarriedbttrfli

LTGirl:

I wouldn't say crazy (I can certainly understand why you would want to do it), but there was no way I was ready to do work after 4 weeks. It was all I could do to get a load of laundry done and a shower once in a while. Things improved quite a bit after about 6 weeks, but at 4 weeks it was all still kind of a blur.

DITTO!!

Garnetbaby09

This is EXACTLY what I did.  I was off completely the first 4 wks and I am now working from home, part time obviously.  Its not bad but I'm only really "working" 4-5 hrs a day which is okay for my job as an insurance biller/collections but I'mnot sure how that would fly for you.  Its all broken up throughout the day b/c of DD and I only get real work done when she's napping of course which is becoming less frequent.

Nidubb

So,
I would say it is totally do able, but not easy.  I am a Director for a fortune 5 company,  I took 4.5 weeks off during that time I was completely involved from home on my blackberry etc....  I then went back to work, I work from home when I can and have not traveled, yet...  I am pretty young to have gotten the promotion so, I had to stay on top of things it is very competitive.  Before anyone flames, my DH was laid off so my family depends on me.

 When she sleeps I work.  When I nurse I go thru email you get the jist you learn to multitask. 

Garnetbaby09

Nidubb:

So,
I would say it is totally do able, but not easy.  I am a Director for a fortune 5 company,  I took 4.5 weeks off during that time I was completely involved from home on my blackberry etc....  I then went back to work, I work from home when I can and have not traveled, yet...  I am pretty young to have gotten the promotion so, I had to stay on top of things it is very competitive.  Before anyone flames, my DH was laid off so my family depends on me.

 When she sleeps I work.  When I nurse I go thru email you get the jist you learn to multitask. 

I hope no one would flame.  I had to do the same thing.   Its totally understandable! 

whitless

My son was very colicky, so at 4 weeks he was sleeping very little and crying all the time.  I was mentally impaired at that point from lack of sleep.  I'm not joking, my brain was not working at all.  I could not have handled working part time.

That's just my experience, though.  If you have an easy baby and you're able to get sleep, you might be just fine.

Nidubb

Garnetbaby...I know I would hope not, but you never know on this board... if you don't explain things to people...  Just did not want someone to start giving me crap about work being more important than DD.  I am proud of my career, but by no means it everything we just depend on me right now,