Teachers: How Many Weeks Off?

kauai04

This is just my 2nd year teaching & I'm due in early/mid January.  I know by law I can take up to 12 weeks off with FMLA.  I have short-term disability but I think it only pays 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery.  DH & I can afford for me to take more time off.  I have always wanted to be a SAHM, but at this point I know I will have to go back to finish the school year & I will likely go back and teach for a couple more years until we have child #2. 

Of course I would love to take off as much time as I can, but I guess I feel "guilty" or "bad" for taking 12 weeks although I know I shouldn't.  If I had any other job I don't think I would feel this way- but this is just my 2nd year and I have 20 kids that I am responsible for.  There are many qualified teachers without jobs in my area so I know that the long-term sub will be qualified.  I guess I am just nervous about talking with my male principal about it. 

How long did you take off?  Was your principal supportive of you taking 12-weeks?  Thanks for any advice/input!

bluepalm

i took about 8 weeks off. dd came a few days early so i took the rest of that week off (tue-fri) then 7 1/2 more weeks because i went back on a wednesday to make the transition easier! and it helped a little though i cried a lot to go back! i was anxious to get back at first because i missed the kids so much...then as dd got older and did more than cry all the time (kind of a fussy baby) then i was DREADING going back. but i had her on st. pattys day and went back the 2nd week in may and only had 5 1/2 weeks of the school year left....you'll have a little more time til the end of the year but knowing you'll have all summer w/your lo will really really help!!! i am already dreading going back for this school year because dd is doing new stuff every day and it is adorable...but teaching is good (i teach kg) because the days go by fast and hours are great. hope that helps...and sorry for the long reply!!

kmasters

This is the beginning of my 6th year and I teach 2nd grade.  I am due in the middle of November and I plan on taking 12 weeks off, which turns out to be 15 weeks due to Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, MLK Day, and Presidents' Day.  I will be back the first week of March, work for four weeks and have Spring Break and then work for 8 weeks and then it's summer break.  I don't feel guilty because I know I have to take care of myself and my daughter.  I can see where you would feel bad because as teachers, we put our students first and don't like to let others down, but we have to do what we have to do for ourselves.  So please, don't feel guilty. 

j&jp

don't fell guilty!!!  I teach special ed infants and toddlers and had every intention of taking all 12 weeks off.  Then I ended up on bedrest and had to take a lot of time off before the baby.  I still could have taken the 12 weeks off but I decided to go back around 9.5 weeks because I felt guilty.  When it came time to go back I felt guilty and sad for not having that last 2.5 weeks with DD.  As much as we care about the kids we teach, they will be fine with your long term sub.  Take all the time you can with your baby and enjoy every minute of it :-) 

erbear

12 weeks is pretty standard and I wouldn't feel bad about taking that off at all!

My principal was awesome. I had Kate in February and 12 weeks took me to mid-May. They let me take the rest of the year off, so I'll have been home continuously for 6 months by the time school starts in Sept!

mrshutch

You should SO not feel guilty about 12 weeks. It's standard. DD was born mid-Feb and I took the rest of the school year off, and then worked over the summer b/c we couldn't afford for me to just stay home. I thought 12 weeks was the perfect amount of time- I got to bond w/ DD, and I was ready to go back to work. All of the other teachers said it's so important to take 3 months- 6-8 weeks simply isn't long enough. I had no objections from my administration and then I went back in the fall (only to find a better paying job and leave the school the following Feb, but oh, well). GL in your decision!

SportsLover

I took almost 5 months off - the maximum amount of time I could take while maintaining health benefits.  What I liked about my maternity break was that I went back in April, worked two months and then was off that summer. 

I think it is standard for most teachers to take at least 12 weeks.  Please do not feel guilty.  Your substitute will do a good job and you'll enjoy the time with your new baby.

Fortunately, my school district and my principal at the time was/is very supportive of women taking time off for maternity. 

jays_bride

My DD thoughtfully arrived exactly 12 weeks before the end of the school year, so I went from maternity leave to summer break and got exactly 5 months off.

thereds

I took 12 weeks off too.  It was wonderful.  I felt a little guilty at first and then when she was born I knew that she was more important that my 175 middle schoolers anyway.  If you want to take it and can afford it, do it!

oct92004bride

I took 12 weeks off and didn't feel guilty at all! Then again I am going on year 8 so maybe that has something to do with it and I taught summer school in july and had DD in august.

 

Ally_S

Don't feel guilty.  Your baby is the most important thing.  Just like your students should be the most important thing to their parents.  You will really appreciate the extra six weeks; so much happens in the first 3 months!

ae1112

I would've taken the 12 but only 8 weeks were left in the year when I began my leave.  It was my 1st year in a new position and it was difficult to leave because I had a difficult time finding a good sub who wanted to take over a bilingual PPCD unit.  Luckily, I found a fantastic teacher to take my place & that helped ease my guilt.  I think you're principal would understand you wanting you to do what's best for your family.  Also, I'm sure he'll be happy to know that you will be back & won't have to replace you. 

sam0412

I plan to take 9 weeks, but I am in year 8. ?I think it makes a difference in your personal attitude when you have tenure. ?I would do what makes you the most comfortable. ?For me, I could have taken 12 weeks, but I wanted to save some of my sick time for baby #3 down the road. ?Plus, although in the district 8 years, this is only my second year in my building and I want to be there to make sure things go smoothly now that I am over the "I'm new to the building" hump. ?So, do what your gut says. Also realize that although your district should be supportive, you're right in assuming they may not be because it is your second year. ?Use your best judgement and enjoy your baby! ?GL!

Justinlove

I am sooo late in coming in on this one, but wanted to reiterate what the others have said.  Do not feel guilty about taking 12 weeks off.  I actually ended up with 15 weeks off (taking me to the end of the year) and did not think twice about it!  When it is all said and done, I will have been out for almost 6 months with DD before returning to school.  And yes, we planned it like this and hope that it works out again for #2.