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2nd Trimester
kyungsoo
member
Work & Baby
kyungsoo
member
Not sure if this is the proper discussion board to put this on, but as I am in the second trimester, and was wondering what other mother's in the second trimester thought on this topic, this is the board I thought to put it in, please redirect me kindly if I am wrong.
I work two jobs right now, but I'm not sure if I want to stay at home once the baby is actually here, or complete my online college courses so I can get a long term job placement. My son isn't here yet so I really have no way of telling how I'll feel about continuing to work once he's actually here. I think still having a job would be good for my anxiety, to keep busy, but I'm just curious as to what other mothers are thinking of doing, or decided to do if this is your second pregnancy. I hope I didn't say anything wrong in this discussion opening. I'm sorry if I offended anyone in any way.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Work & Baby
That said however, like you, I have no idea how I'll feel once LO arrives, so I'm not burning any bridges with work. Hopefully, if I can, I'll go back part time. In any case, I do want to take no less than 12 weeks maternity leave.
I like my job, and I get a little stir-crazy staying at home. Definitely do what's right for you and your family. For me, I feel like I'm a happier and more balanced person from being able to work outside the home, and I know some people really enjoy SAH.
You could post something on the "working moms" board if you have more specific questions. Hopefully you'll find a balance that works for you!
I think that if you are on the fence, you should go back to work and then see how you feel. You always have the option of quitting once you return but it would be difficult if you quit to SAH and then have to look for a job, if you decide that you would prefer to work.
I would also take a hard look at your finances to make sure your family can afford for you to SAH. Don't just think about salary but consider 401K, benefits etc. This is a very personal decision and only one that you can make. We can all tell you our experiences but only you can know yourself and what will make you happy.
Wow- 1year?! That is awesome. I love America, but we are SO behind the times on maternity policies and care.
Financially, I am the bread-winner in our house, I don't really have the choice to stay home (though I would love to!). Before telling my supervisor, I worked out an extensive plan to cover my duties during my 11 week maternity, and gave her a proposal to telework a day and/or work 4 10-hr days with one day off once I come back. It was well-received!
To be fair Canada actually has a 15 week ML and an aditionally 35 week paternal leave that you can split between both parents if you want. You have to have worked a minimum of 600 hours in the last year and have paid in to Employment Insurance to qualify. Still taking it over what I've heard you ladies in the US have to put up with!
I'm very lucky to have an employer that is super suportive of me and the pregnancy. While I would love to be able to become a SAHM the reality of the world is that we can't afford to loose my benefits package or my income for longer than my leave. At the end of the day I've also always been career minded and I'm hoping that the arrival of our LO won't change that too much which would make going back FT that much harder.
I work a number of very part time jobs that add up to full time +. When I first got pregnant I just assumed I would go right back to all my jobs and put LO in daycare. As things progress, I am realizing that probably isn't practical for me. What I'll end up bringing home after the cost of daycare just isn't worth it to me to leave my baby all day. With the help of my MIL to babysit I will likely return part time (2 to 2-1/2 days a week). There really is no wrong answer. Do what is best for you and your family.
IMO the biggest roadblock to working PT is childcare, so that's something to look into. I can't speak for all daycares, but here there is very limited opportunity to find a PT spot in a daycare center because they prefer full-time clients, and PT spots cost more per day than a FT spot. And part-day slots (for example, if you had a job where you worked 4 hours a day and needed childcare only in the morning) literally do not exist for infants. The other problem is that you pay for childcare even in your child is sick and you keep them home, which is tough to swallow if you're a PT employee taking the day off with your sick child unpaid b/c you don't get paid sick days. A small in-home daycare or a SAHM who watches a couple kids might be more flexible, but there are drawbacks to those too.
Just something to consider. Good luck with whatever you decide!