? for 2nd timers: Maternity leave

T&HLove · March 2011

I am thinking about maternity leave.. I'm only going to have about 3 weeks of paid time off. and, unless we can save enough money, won't be able to afford to take much more than what will be paid.

So my question is.. in your opinion, what's the shortest amount of leave you would be willing to take? (I know it is different for everyone/ every baby is different. but I need some opinions please!)

TIA

Azrayla · March 2011

I only took about two months with DD but my work was threatening to switch my position and I spent a month off on bedrest..I couldnt imagine going back before 2 months..This time I want a solid three..making sure we can afford it.

Cotton · March 2011

Absolute shortest? 6 weeks, I'd say. 8 is better of course I think it takes 6 weeks to feel like a regular person again. And to even be able to someone how to take care of your baby. Good luck! Sounds tough.

Elizabeth

julygal · March 2011

I returned to work after 6 weeks with DD. It was hard but manageable.

TheFannins729 · March 2011

8 weeks. 6 at the earliest.

Mereou12 · March 2011

Six weeks at the absolute bare minimum. Eight would be preferable (though still not long enough, IMO), but still pretty darn difficult. I was supposed to go back at six weeks but was nowhere near ready....I was able to extend my leave unil 11 weeks (all unpaid).

SFAug07 · March 2011

I took three months off with Sarah and will do so with this baby too. 3 weeks seems really short, the baby is still so small then. I think the earliest I could imagine would be 2 months.

annak23 · March 2011

I took 8 weeks with DD, but remember being ready to go back at 6 weeks.

With this one I will take 8-10 weeks depending on when it's born. About half of that will be unpaid, so we are saving the amount of 2 of my paychecks to cover that time. I just want DD to get adjusted to preschool & DH adjusted back to his fall schedule with a new baby in the mix.

BabyBLove · March 2011

My work is only offering 4 weeks paid. Two of us are pregnant here and we're not very happy about it. I'm absolutely not coming back before 6 weeks - when I see my doctor for check-up, so I guess I'll be saving some vacation time!

meredith anastasia · March 2011

I'd say at minimum 8 weeks.
DS was a TOUGH newborn, colicky, reflux, no sleep, and I was a hormonal mess. I wouldn't have been much good at work before 8 weeks, ideally 12.

moonglo · March 2011

I took 6 months off with DD. I'm at a new job this year and I'm still trying to figure out how long I can take. I work at a private high school, no subs, so the school has to hire someone to cover my classes while I'm gone. I'm guessing I'll only be able to take 8 weeks off or so.

kandg · March 2011

I was a law student when I had DD so I only took 2 weeks off. We had a part-time nanny and my schedule was flexible. My DH had a flexible schedule at the time too and was a huge help. It really sucked even leaving DD 3 days a week for 6 hours at that point.

budswife · March 2011

Have you looked into what your state laws are? I am in NJ which guarantees 6 weeks disability after a vaginal delivery, 8 weeks after a C-section. If your employer does not have a paid short-term disability program, you get paid by the state. It's 60% of your pay, but it's better than none.

Just a thought ....

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