What will your work status be after baby is born?

GracefulStar · August 2014

Hi all! Just curious what your working status will be after baby is born. I'm curious to hear how you are preparing for changes! I'm a working mom now but I believe I will be a stay at home mom with this next one. I'm quite nervous as it's a huge change, financially, emotionally, etc. share your thoughts!

MrsWheatley · August 2014

I'll definitely go back to work for 3 months until the end of the school year after baby is born. After that I'm not sure. My job may or may not be funded again (honestly not looking too good). If it ends then I will hopefully be able to stay home until the new baby turns 2. But we will see.... We've not had a very serious discussion about it yet. It would be really hard on us financially if I stayed home but I feel like that is where I need to be for the next couple years. But I do love to work.

letsgox · August 2014

I will go back to work full time (outside the home) after my 12 weeks of maternity leave (barring any unexpected circumstances that would leave me with less leave). I did the same thing after I had C.

jc51723 · August 2014

MrsWheatley said:
I'll definitely go back to work for 3 months until the end of the school year after baby is born. After that I'm not sure. My job may or may not be funded again (honestly not looking too good). If it ends then I will hopefully be able to stay home until the new baby turns 2. But we will see.... We've not had a very serious discussion about it yet. It would be really hard on us financially if I stayed home but I feel like that is where I need to be for the next couple years. But I do love to work.

Ok it seems I have about 3 screen names at this point because this is actually me

aks01 · August 2014

I'm a teacher so after my 12 weeks I'll have 2 months of school and then the whole summer to spend with the baby.

LadyXaverian · August 2014

I'll go back to teaching full time after spring break, so mid-late March.

luciddreamer106 · August 2014

I work per diem right now, about 2-4 shifts a week. After 12 weeks, I'll go back and work probably 2-3 shifts/week.

Shortstack06 · August 2014

We are discussing this now. If I go back it will be 8-2 M-F. My mother wants to watch the baby every day, but they have a vacation home in Florida that if she would go there for a few weeks, I would be SOL. His mother is going to undergo a stem cell transplant this coming year and will not be able to watch a newborn. So we are getting an idea on child care and if my wages would be worth it.

MusicFanatic · August 2014

I will be a SAHM, yikes! Yikes because I've worked since I was 16 years old. I just moved to Canada, and I'm not actually allowed to work right now. And won't be until I'm a perm resident. So, I will be a SAHM. It's not at all what I had planned on, I never thought I would be a wonderful one... mostly because I've always worked and expected to keep on doing so. But now that I can't, I'm kind of looking forward to it.

AlfiesMOM · August 2014

I will go back after 10-12 weeks still deciding! I work full time now.

storm08 · August 2014

I plan on going back sometime between 6-12 weeks, but hopefully part-time. I went back part-time (but worked from home) at 6 weeks with DS, and then went back to full time at 12 weeks. This time I'm hoping to be able to work from home again until at least 12 weeks, but this time make the change to part time permanently.

llambrose · August 2014

I will have to go back though I would love to be able to stay home with this one like I did with my daughter. Unfortunately, I have the bigger income and my job is too good to give up. I honestly don't know how I am going to be able to do it but I don't have a choice.

Milagros315 · August 2014

I'll be staying at home, at least in the beginning. I'm an adjunct professor so it doesn't make sense for me to try to go back during the spring semester. I wouldn't mind going back in the summer if that's an option.

My long term plan will depend on when and where my H gets a more permanent job. If possible, I would love to go back to being an adjunct (it's only part time anyway).

Tapsalteerie · August 2014

I was a SAHM when DD came and will continue to do so with this one.

mom2case · August 2014

After DD was born, I had to go back to work for 5 weeks in order to be paid for the summer (5th grade teacher). It really wasn't so bad which I guess is because I knew it was for a limited time. I've been home for 3 years now and MIGHT be working as a part time teacher this year. I interviewed Thursday and should know within a week. I've been debating with myself and honestly don't know what the "right" decision is. I think working part time is the best of both worlds though and there aren't many opportunities to do that as a teacher. I LOVED staying home with our daughter. After losing our son, I wonder if I'm crazy wanting to go back because I might regret missing part of my days with the new baby. It's complicated because I feel like I missed so many moments with my son yet for my own sanity, working with my brain again would do me good. And while I might be missing moments, DH will be with the baby 4 of the days per week while I'm gone so that would allow him to have more bonding time. We'd have to find someone to watch the baby one morning each week though. Such a tough choice.

Pips09 · August 2014

I'll be at home at first, due to moving, but I really hope to go back to work soon after.

kolaczka · August 2014

Working full time after 12 weeks is the plan right now...but part time could be doable. Daycare with twins will be crazy expensive.

Beckyboo71 · August 2014

Being a SAHM wasn't even an option with my ex-husband when I had DD. I haven't had a serious discussion with DH about it yet, but I would LOVE to be a SAHM this time around. Like @MusicFanatic‌, I've worked since I was a teenager, so it's weird to even think about not working. But to be able to take DD and pick her up from school every day and be with my new baby would be a pure blessing. I cried every day (and still do some days) when I had to go back to work with DD, and my aunt was her babysitter. This time, I'd have to get childcare because I live further away. So, before I bring it up to DH, I will see if paying for childcare would even be worth me working (I hope not! Cross your fingers! LOL)

Saracp78 · August 2014

I am a teacher and will be leaving at Christmas break for the year, returning in August 2015. My husband would like me to stay home but knows me better than that. I also have been working since I was 16. That will be 20 years! Still my career as an educator us berg important to me. It is nice to have the option and support to stay home if I decide to though

very blessed.

Twochickshavinachick · August 2014

I've always said I'll be a working mother but I'm not sure now - maybe it's the hormones talking, lol.

We've been talking recently about how we could manage if I didn't go back to work straight away but held off until baby was old enough to qualify for free hours at the pre-school (U.K system; not sure how it works in U.S) and then went back part time until baby was in full time education.

Looking at the figures, it is actually feasible for us (especially since we don't have a particularly extravagant lifestyle) and it gives me a chance to unwind as much as possible before we start trying for number two....

Stargirlb · August 2014

I'm self employed and log my own hours in my spare time for DH's projects, though I am a SAHM and enjoy that.

erinanderson78 · August 2014

Back to work full time after 8 weeks, same as when my son was born. Daycare for both will be around $2400 a month which is unfortunate but I love working and it doesn't make sense for me to stay home with my salary.

bustysinclare · August 2014

After my DD was born I HAD to go back to work full time and I hated it. I missed her so much, although I am sure that it was worse because I worked 8-5 and My husband works evenings and weekends. We went without daycare and we was sure stressed being home during the days with her and then working all evening. He insisted that if we have another we find a way for me to stay home, so we are saving everything we can so that I can stay home after this baby. I'll have to find something part time to pitch in though

jennyhatt · August 2014

I am a SAHM 90% of the time right now and will continue with our next child. I supply teach once in awhile just to keep myself in the system and I also tutor kids in the evenings a bit. I enjoy being at home and feel fortunate to do so. I won't go back full time until I am done having children. I keep my brain active with additional online qualification courses, my outside the home hobbies and social time with other moms that don't just want to talk about their kids all day

WillCMyInk · August 2014

I'll be going back to work full-time somewhere between 8-12 weeks (hopefully 12, but it depends on how long we can afford for me to be out of work).

nickicl · August 2014

I would like to stop working for a while, probably not to do the fulltime SAHM for me, but to maybe start a new career, but I can't give up my salary right now.

So the plan is to take my full leave (up to 12 weeks) and then get back to the grind.

KWBW · August 2014

It will be back to work for me too 6-8 weeks after baby arrives

jaxx723 · August 2014

We've just started discussing this but my job is really flexible. I'm going to go back at least part time after 6 weeks off and play it by ear. If it's too difficult for us and doesn't really add enough income to be worth our time, I'll probably be a SAHM.

Honestly I'd rather stay home full time but I just don't know how the financial stuff will play out. We will see.

mstc83 · August 2014

I'm in education, so the plan is to stay out until June, and then work a couple weeks so that I can get paid over the summer. I'll then go back full time in September.

motherboy · August 2014

Stay at home now will continue after baby. Will start thinking about continuing education/career change when baby is 6ish months.

mc0113 · August 2014

Planning to stay at home after baby. I'm working full time and going to grad school now. That will just be too much with a newborn. After this Fall semester, I'll have 4 classes left. So I'm hoping to start back at school for the summer semester next year and graduating by the end of the year. Then maybe getting part time work after getting my degree.

MNgirl326 · August 2014

aks01 said:

I'm a teacher so after my 12 weeks I'll have 2 months of school and then the whole summer to spend with the baby.

Same

Jellybean707 · August 2014

I'm working part time now(3 days a week) but I will likely go full time after a 12 week maternity leave.

Shortstack06 · August 2014

I did some math after this post, depending on if I go full time or part time I would be making $10,000-$15,000 a year after child care for 3 days a week ( my mom offered full time, but has a vacation home). But if we do child care, I would also have to switch to formula and disposable diapers which would cost us more. Still lots of calculating to do, but probably a SAHM.

liladelphia215 · August 2014

Going back to work full time. Probably right after Easter.

banana2020 · August 2014

I was a FT working mom with DS and he actually came to work with me full time every day until 2.9 when he went to preschool 2 AMs a week. He's still on that schedule at 4.5yo. It's been a huge commitment but I have the fortunate opportunity to be with him each day so I can't give that up. But it's been so hard to focus on both day in and day out.

With the next baby we're planning 3 days of daycare, working with the baby 1 day and maybe WFH 1 day (though 1 WFH day was the plan with DS and that never worked out, self-imposed).

Either way, I'll work FT.

luckylady18 · August 2014

I'm going to go back to work full time after 3 or 3.5 months. I may see if I can handle going back earlier but part time, but I don't know how my boss would feel about that...But I think a month of part time to help transition would be awesome for me and baby.

UberBiz · August 2014

8 weeks then back to the grind.

Jellybean707 · August 2014

emmyg65 said:

I did some math after this post, depending on if I go full time or part time I would be making $10,000-$15,000 a year after child care for 3 days a week ( my mom offered full time, but has a vacation home). But if we do child care, I would also have to switch to formula and disposable diapers which would cost us more. Still lots of calculating to do, but probably a SAHM.
In your calculations, don't forget about any retirement contributions you currently receive and the cost of being out of the workforce for however long, like the loss of any future raises and the difficulty of getting back in or needing to retrain. Obviously, you need to do what's right for you and your family, but if it's a purely financial analysis, there's more to it than just your current paycheck vs. the cost of daycare.

This is really great advice! I would also add that childcare costs are the highest they will ever be when baby is first born. By the time they are 18 months costs go down and you're not using formula anymore. By the time they're 3 costs go way down and you're not using diapers. Is it worth being out of the workforce because you're not making much for awhile? Pay increases and liftime earning are often hugely affected by taking off a few years.

If your have a strong desire to SAH that's one thing but the financial calculation often works out in favor of working once all factors are considered.

LegallyMom · August 2014

Back to work full time after 16 weeks maternity leave. I only took 4 weeks leave after I had DD (because of a weird job situation, not because I was trying to be Melissa Mayer), so I'm looking forward to the longer break, but I think I'll be ready to return to work by the end of it.

nickicl · August 2014

banana2020 said:

I was a FT working mom with DS and he actually came to work with me full time every day until 2.9 when he went to preschool 2 AMs a week. He's still on that schedule at 4.5yo. It's been a huge commitment but I have the fortunate opportunity to be with him each day so I can't give that up. But it's been so hard to focus on both day in and day out.

With the next baby we're planning 3 days of daycare, working with the baby 1 day and maybe WFH 1 day (though 1 WFH day was the plan with DS and that never worked out, self-imposed).

Either way, I'll work FT.

Just curious, what field are you in? Sounds like you have a lot of flexibility, which is great.

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