Back to work or stay at home?

je2161

Are you ladies planning on being working mothers or stay at home ones? And also, are any of you not working during this pregnancy?

My degrees are in engineering, but I currently run a business from home. So I am working from a home office these days, and I intend to continue to stay at home with the LO. I want to be as active in my baby's life as possible!

I wonder if there are any geographic or age trends with this question. I'm 27 and live in NJ. How old are you? What state are you from?

[Poll]

pam1005

I stay at home, but I have an in home daycare and work from home filing insurance claims for an eye company.  I have to hire a babysitter or have DH watch DS when I work on the claims.

tokenhoser

I'll be off a year for mat leave, then I'll owe my employer at least a year of service so I'll go back. I'm also the higher earner in our household, so it's really not an option for me to SAH longer than my leave.

mrbear83

I'm 28 and in GA. I work for myself, and I plan to return to work in the fall (aug/sept).  

MaybeBaby2

I am 30YO and in the Southeast. I have SAH full time since we had our DD in March 2007 and will continue to SAH with this baby. I won't work until Baby Boy is school age and even then it will be just school hours.
My DH's work keeps his travel and work schedule very unpredictable. Thus making DH undependable to help with pick up, drop off and sick kids. It has always been our plan for me to SAH and we are so thankful it has worked out!

heysupnatalie

I will be going back to work about 3 months after the baby is born.
I really don't think I have the opportunity to stay home any longer than that.
I am 22 and live just outside of Detroit, Michigan.

LacieMI

I'm planning to return to work after 12 weeks.  I recently took a less-than full time position (0.8) with my same employer, to help get my schedule ready for baby's arrival.  The new job has great hours (for me & our situation) and will allow me to be home with our baby most of the time.  On my work days, my husband will be home, with the exception of a 1-day per week 5-hour overlap.  We're planning for our son to hang out with family during that time.  

ETA: I'm 32 & from Michigan.

JessJ222

I am going back to work after a 12 week maternity leave.  I will be decreasing my hours from 40-45 hours per week to 32 hours per week though and only working 4 days per week.

I am 26 (27 in March) and from MN. 

Kristin&Kelly09

I will be going back to work 6 or 8 weeks after giving birth (that's covered through STD).  I can't really afford to take off much longer than that since my DH just lost his job and I get our health insurance through my employer.

I am 32 and live in the Southeast.

Shelly203

I am a stay at home mom already, and will continue to be.  Before DS was born, I was a special ed teacher.  I do sub for friends of mine that are teachers every once in a while, but won't be doing that once DS2 comes.  I am 33 and live in CA.

mellydawn84

I will be a SAHM after LO is born. I get 1yr maternity leave from the govt but after that I am on my own. I would like to so something out of the house, but DH is military and we will be moving again in 3 or so years so it would be something I can take with me.

I'm 26 (27 in April) and live in Canada, Winnipeg currently. 

Stephcara

In NJ also and going back to work in September.

nickelbabi

I'm the primary breadwinner in our house, so I can't afford to stay home for more than 3 months when I will get partial pay for maternity leave. With my and DH's schedules, the baby will be in daycare for about 6 hrs/day. We have debated about DH becoming a SAHD, but ultimately I would like to stay home, so it is better for him to stay employed in his industry and wait until the economy turns around to get a better paying position. I am 29 and live in So.Cal.

janice74

I've been at home since DS was born in September 2009.  I'll continue to stay at home for at least a couple more years for a couple reasons.  1. I used to work in TV and film and the hours are CRAZY (14 hour days), and 2. We moved to Northern California for 3 years and there is no work up here for me.

I may try to find something part time when we move back in a couple years.  Luckily, we are in a position where I can SAH, because I love it.   I am 36 and I live in CA. 

MrsPLW71

40 and in NJ.  I will return to work after my 12 week maternity leave. 

Cassondra09

I will be returning to work afeter my 12 weeks of maternity leave. I am a nurse, I work three 12hr night shifts each week (7pm to 730am). At this point, we are planning for me to go back to work full-time and stay on nights. DH owns his own business and will be able to take baby with him, which will really help us out. We are hoping we will not need daycare.

I am 24 and live in New Mexico

EJChapman123

I am 27 and live in Florida.  I have an accounting degree and an MBA - but I have not worked since I lost my job in June.  I got engaged right after I lost my job, and it was decided I would study for the CPA exam while I had some downtime and plan the wedding, maybe work after.  Then I got pregnant So now working is not really in my near future at all.  I AM still sitting for the CPA (I sit for part 2 on Monday actually) but Im not sure what, if anything, I will do with it (but it is worth having).  The only thought in my mind would be to teach accounting classes part time at a community college to keep the brain working and make a little extra money (and get out of the house).

I don't miss working at all, and having this pregnancy to relax has been wonderful, and I feel extraordinarily blessed to have a man who is supportive of me staying home (or working if that was what made me happy).  Maybe someday I will miss the corporate grind, but as for right now not at all.

kristennd

I'll be going back to work as soon as my accumulated vacation and sick leave run out, which will be about five weeks. I'm the primary breadwinner and the only one with insurance. DH will be staying home, however. And we're lucky in that he's very enthusiastic about staying home with the baby and I really don't want to.

I'll turn 40 within a week or so of the birth. We recently moved to North Dakota from the west coast. 

EJensify

I will be home for at least 4-5 years before going back to work.

ETA - I am 25, have an associates in accounting, and work as a wine consultant, but I also manage a slue of local DJ's. I don't plan on going back to work full time, or even what might be considered as part time. I'll do some booking for bands for a few venues on and off, and will try to get myself in to some wine expos, but I'm not committed to going back to work until LO is in pre-K.

laurakaz13

I am 35 and live in NC.  I have an MBA in Healthcare Admin and am a military officer.  My DH is a pilot in the military. 

After my 3 months of maternity leave/regular leave I will go  back to work.  I will be able to retire in 10 yrs and my DH can retire in 6 yrs.  We're not willing to give up two great pensions.  Also, I LOVE my career and couldn't imagine ever giving it up. 

 

melgrady

I kind of wish I could stay home mostly because I don't like my job, but I carry our medical insurance and have to work to contribute to our income. I might start looking for a new job while on maternity leave but I am scared to do so because I do have good benefits and a secure position with my company having worked there for over 5 years.

Bethi18

I'll be back to work after 12 weeks when my maternity leave runs out.  No other financial way around it!  And I'm already annoyed with my friends who stay at home saying "oh my gosh, I don't know how I would ever go back to work after having my baby".  Ugh. 

 I'm 30, hubby is 36, and we live in the Metro Detroit area.  I'm an ICU nurse (12 hour shifts, 3 days a week) and he works from home (but wouldn't be able to take care of baby, because of all the phone calls and client meetings he has during the days).  So, we're trying to figure out what to do for child care.