When to go back to work?

jbethp · November 2013

Background: I teach 7th grade English
So I know I'm planning way far ahead, but when I found out I'm due July 12th, my first thought was "when should I go back to work?" Our school year starts around August 12th ish for teachers, and kids start that next week. One month does not seem like nearly enough time, but (on the flip-side) if I don't go back, I won't get paid for the weeks I take off and I miss out on the initial getting to you with my new students. I'm leaning toward just taking the weeks, but I'm curious what other moms and teachers suggest. Any advice?

djm31012 · November 2013

i am not a teacher but if you can afford it i would take as much time off as possible, given that your job will still be there.. if it were me I would take the whole first semester off and go back in Jan. You will fall right into the swing of things, and you can never get this time back. 1 month definitely is not enough. i took 4 and it wasnt enough.

jf198400 · November 2013

Not a teacher, but I would take the full 12 weeks. It's a big transition having a baby and another big transition becoming a working mom. Your baby will only be little for a very short time- enjoy every minute of it. Work will be there waiting when you come back.

jf198400 · November 2013

Also want to add that many first babies come late, so it could be only 2-3 weeks before school starts.

mainesmichelle · November 2013

I am not a teacher, but I went back to work after 4 weeks and regret it everyday. I wasn't ready physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. My dr begged me to take at least 6 weeks, she told me I wasn't ready to go back, but I didn't listen. I wished I had, I was far from ready. It took me longer to adjust to everything. After 4 weeks everything is still up in the air; your health, schedule, sleeping (doesn't exsist) everything. If you can pull it off, take all the time you are afforded. I wish I did and regret it even today. I was basically bullied back to work by my boss and hubby. It has caused alot of issues withme personally for my job and personal life. My boss loved it and my hubby only thinks about himself (most of the time), but for me I wish I had stood up to both of them and did what I thought was best for me. GL to you, go with your gut.

82Sonia · November 2013

Agree with PPs, 4 weeks is not enough. I took 20 weeks and it was hard to come back. By 4 weeks, you'll probably just be getting the hang of breastfeeding (if that's your plan) and if you end up having a c-section, you'll just barely be getting around.

mommymegan831 · November 2013

I'm a teacher, I had DS in May, but because I loved having 6 months off with DD, who was born in March, I skipped the beginning of the year and started in November. It was a transition to get the class back to the way I wanted things done, and there were a few habits that were learned and organization that didn't get done that wasn't fixed until I started fresh this September, but I don't regret it at all. If I were you I'd come back after Christmas, it seems like a good time to transitions. If your administrator will work with you maybe start the week before Christmas, you can meet the kids, figure out what you want to do and have read for after the break, and you won't have to use any more days over the holiday break

SLGILL1978 · November 2013

I work for the school district at an elementary school. I would take the full amount of maternity. Just in case if you end up with a c section. I did and my doctor would not release me until I was 8 weeks pp. I only planned to take 8 weeks but ended up taking 11. By the time I came back there was only 5 weeks left until school was out for the summer. One of my colleges just adopted a baby this year and she took her maternity leave right before school started as well. What she did was come in and meet with the parents before school started and introduced the sub to everyone, told the dates she would return etc.

kristennd · November 2013

On the other hand, I had to go back after three weeks and it was fine. It's a very individual thing.

But the tricky part is that you really can't predict how you personally will feel. Or how quickly you'll physically recover.

Jenn06L80 · November 2013

With DD I took off 14 weeks, this time I will take 20 or 22 weeks because I am pregnant with twins. Most of this time will be unpaid so I am saving now. I couldn't imagine going back after 4 weeks.

diamondduck13 · November 2013

Im about to end my 12 week leave when I return to work Thursday. The timing feels perfect, here's why:

It wasn't until around 4 weeks that i began to feel like myself again, for example, that I could get through a day without desperately needing a nap. I don't know if that was due to my healing or baby sleeping or both

It wasnt til around 8 weeks that breast feeding became more routine and less frustrating

And it also wasn't until around 8 weeks that I began to feel really bonded with my baby

So these last couple of weeks have been great, or at least, a lot better, in terms of finally feeling happy and comfortable in my new mommy role

I'm so glad I didn't have to throw work into the mix of those stages we've been through these last 12 weeks, particularly glad I didn't go back before these last couple weeks when it's been so much easier to enjoy my baby

In other words, take as much maternity leave as you can afford to. Your students will be with you for a year, but your child will be with you for a lifetime.

Oh, and ditto previous poster, your baby could be late, cutting into those weeks before the year starts even more (mine arrived at 41 weeks and a coworkers' arrived a day short of 42 weeks, it happens!)

icaughtfire · November 2013

I went back to work right around 5-6 weeks after my daughter was born. After being on bed rest (without pay!) for 3 months before she was born, I had to go back because we were BROKE! Looking back I wish I could have stayed with her longer. I wasn't physically or emotionally ready to leave her & it took a major toll on me..she's 4 now & I still feel like I missed out on some major bonding with her. My company doesn't offer "maternity leave" just the standard FMLA but whenever the time comes I plan to take the maximum time possible before going back to work. If your job will let you stay out longer, take advantage of it. Sure, the lack of income will suck but the time with your baby will be worth it. You've still got plenty of time -- start stashing away every extra dollar you've got to help during the time when you're without pay so you won't feel so pressured to return right away. Does your job offer short term disability? My company pays 8 weeks STD for vaginal birth & up to 12 weeks for c-section, this combined with what we'll have in savings will allow me to stay home a little longer. Just something to look into if you haven't already.

skibunny59 · November 2013

I'm a teacher. In my school district, they will hold your job for a full year but they won't pay you for all the time.

I really wish I could have taken more time but we just couldn't afford it. I went back when DD was 6 months old. She was born in March, I took the remainder of the school year off. Then I had the summer. School started in September but I took off one more month and went back October.

I got paid for the first 6 weeks because I used my sick days. Then I got family leave benefits for the next 6 weeks and then the rest was unpaid.

4 -5 weeks is not enough time in my opinion. Heck, I had trouble going back to work after 6 months. I would take at the very least 12 weeks. Could you go back in January after the holidays? You seem like a very good teacher in that you don't want to miss starting the year off with your students. When your sweet little baby is born you won't really care about that. Trust me.

Virgo17 · November 2013

I think 4 weeks would really be pushing it. I took off 8 weeks when I had my third child recently. Physically, I was okay because recovery for me was quicker the second and third time. However, this baby is the worst sleeper of all of mine, so I felt like a zombie for the first few weeks. Also, going past due, having a C-section, or breastfeeding can all throw a wrench in your timeline.

I have never felt the need to take off as much time as possible, but 10-12 weeks always felt right. Even this time I was ready to go back, the only major challenge was the lack of sleep. I would not plan on being ready after 4 weeks.

CaliforniaDream87 · November 2013

Not a teacher however I would take the full 12 weeks. There was so much I needed to do/ time I needed to spend with LO in the first 3 months. Luckily, I was able to extend my leave a little longer.

Want a personalized experience?

When to go back to work?

Re: When to go back to work?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards