How much leave from work?

SantoriniGirl

Hey everyone,

So I have newly discovered this site, although I loved the knot when I was planning my wedding! 

I was just wondering (for those moms that work), how many weeks are you planning on taking when the baby arrives?  I get 6 weeks of paid leave and can take up to 10 more weeks unpaid.  My husband works but I really don't know about taking on the additional financial strain.  My mom is going to be watching the baby (so I don't think I will have the emotional issues of leaving him/her with a caregiver I don't know).  This is my first pregnancy.  For those who have done this before, what amount of time did you think was enough?

Thanks!

2BeMrs.GB

I'll be taking 12 weeks, and I'm lucky that my company offers salary continuance and since I've been with them for so long I get paid the entire 12 weeks.

OCIrishBruin

My co pays 12 weeks and then I will get another 6 on about 40% pay through FMLA, so a total of 18 weeks.  I may take 2-3 weeks off prior at 40% pay as well, depending on how I feel.

MrsTank

My plan is to work until I go into labor, then take 4 full weeks off. After those 4 weeks I'm going to do a part time transition for another 4 weeks. However I am the director of a preschool/child care and I'll be taking my baby with me to work every day, I'll only be a room away so I can still BF and spend time with the baby thoughout the day. The girls that work for me are like family and I fully trust them to care for my LO. I think it would be a lot harder to go back so soon if I was in a different line of work...but my career fits into having a family perfectly!

Most parents who bring their infants to our program start between 4 and 8 weeks, some wait a few months and opt to have a family member watch them while they are a newborn.

Honestly I would recommend taking at least 8 weeks, I think parents that do that are happier in the long run. Normally by then infants are on some kind of schedule (while it may not be the most ideal schedule, they typically do fall into a routine by 4-6 weeks), and you can better anticipate their sleep schedule so you are not too over tired for work.

 Whatever you decide I wish you the best of luck!

MrsSmiley09

2BeMrs.GB:

I'll be taking 12 weeks, and I'm lucky that my company offers salary continuance and since I've been with them for so long I get paid the entire 12 weeks.

Wow!  That is awesome!  I don't think I get any paid maternity leave. 

heyitsme

I'll be taking 16 or 18 weeks, thanks to living in the lovely state of CA. I can get 4 week prior to my due date, plus 6 weeks after a vaginal birth or 8 weeks after a c-section, plus 6 weeks of FMLA after that. All is paid at 55-60%.

KJKNAJ

I had 6wks off with DD, I will have the same with this LO. I stressed about leaving a baby so young but I'm not embarrassed to admit that I was actually ready to go back. It felt like a bit of normal routine was put back in my life when I went back to work. I felt more of my old self too. Don't get me wrong, I missed my DD like c-razy, but it wasn't this awful thing I'd built up in my head.

SantoriniGirl

I think I am probably going to take the 6 weeks paid plus 1-2 weeks unpaid.  I am a corporate accountant and if I come back just after the 6 weeks I am going to be returning to work during the busiest / longest day during month-end.

Thats awesome that so many of you get so much time off with at least 50-60% pay!  Since I'm due in Dec, I will have the option to use some of my 2011 vacation during that extra week or so.

 

2BeMrs.GB

MrsSmiley09:

2BeMrs.GB:

I'll be taking 12 weeks, and I'm lucky that my company offers salary continuance and since I've been with them for so long I get paid the entire 12 weeks.

Wow!  That is awesome!  I don't think I get any paid maternity leave. 

I know!  I'm so happy. 

Mrs.LD813

I'm hoping to take 12 weeks, but may need to cut it down to 10.  We'll see how much we've saved when the time comes.  I get paid for 6 weeks, and can take an additional 6 weeks through FMLA.  I am worried about having to use time before the baby comes, though.  I am a teacher, and I don't know if working right up until labor--since I am on my feet ALL day--is going to work? I guess I'll play that by ear. 

maryg6707

piecesofflare:

I will be taking 50 weeks.

Paid.

Damn you Canada for treating your baby mommas the way they should be!! I am extremely jealous. 

I get 6 weeks plus 5 weeks PTO -- paid at 100%. I may take an extra month unpaid, but because I am irritated with my job at the moment.

maryg6707

LucyD1029:

I'm planning to take 12 weeks.  My short-term disability covers 10 weeks at full pay and I can use vacation time or floating holidays to make up the additional 2 weeks. 

Hate to burst your bubble, but you should look into your short term disability benefits. Usually you can only collect for as long as you are considered "disabled" and with vaginal births it's typically 6 weeks. I was like you originally too and thought that my work was going to pay me to be "disabled" for 6 months, but was quickly told otherwise. 

Hope I'm wrong about your benefits!

MarriedaSportsNut

We get 3 months paid and 2 months unpaid. I'll probably take all 5 months, but I may save the last month for warmer weather.

NorcalLinds

I took 6 months. 12 weeks were paid and the rest was savings. It was awesome! You will never get this time back with your LO. If you can swing it take as long as possible.

Giggity19

I'm only taking the time that I need to physically be able to walk into work.  Ideally, I'd be back within 2 weeks for a vaginal delivery.

But I also am in a different type of work.

Arielle27

In Israel we get 14 weeks paid and can legally take 6 months off (including those 14 weeks) and your job has to take you back. However, most companies (if you've been there a while and they want you back) will give you more time than that.

This is our first, so I've told my boss that I'm planning on taking 6 months, and we'll see what happens. She was very understanding about that. A friend of mine (who works with me) who gave birth last year, took off 7 months, then came back at 'part time' (2 hours less a day) so that she is off in time to pick her daughter up from day care every day.

lalique216

im planning on only taking 4 weeks at most because i get no paid maternity leave  I'm a preschool teacher at a small non profit school and well.....they dont offer anything. i barely get paid sick days!

i hear some of you talking about short term disability....whats that? and where can i find info for south florida? 

thanks ladies!