I am a teacher so with an estimated due date of August 11, it's not possible for me to start a job at the beginning of the school year. We're currently used to being a one income family since I was going back to school so we decided we would reevaluate late fall if I need to find a long term sub position to start in Jan or if it's still feasible, I will stay home until at least the following school year. We've always talked about me being a SAHM while we have little ones at home before they're all in school. Thankfully we will be able to make that happen as we have planned accordingly and DH is a wonderful provider. We feel that it's what's best for our family as he travels frequently for work and has a pretty demanding job so having me stay at home seems like it would lessen the stress on our family as a whole.
My husband and I are equal contributors, but he owns his own business and I work for someone and have the healthcare, 401k, etc. I just recently started working from home in October (same time we started TTC), and own a multi-family house so my "office" is separated from the house. If I can afford a nanny (it would be pushing it) I would LOVE to have someone here just during the day while I work so I can stop by to feed/visit/etc during the workday until the babe is 1 years old (or so) and I feel more comfortable with sending to daycare a few times a week.
PS I love reading all of your posts and the support for all types of work/life balance situations. Everyone is different, and no right or wrong way to do it!
I'm seriously impressed by all of you, but I don't even know how those of you who work out of the home ft and have children do it with preparing meals and keeping the house in order, etc. I suppose it would be easier to imagine if my husband didn't work so many/crazy hours bc it's not unusual for him to work 16+ hours a day
I'm a police dispatcher. I love my job. I could not imagine being a stay at home mom. I'll take about 10 weeks off and then come back maybe part time to use up the last two weeks. So weeks 11-13 sort of part time. Ease my way into it. Then come back full time.
1st Misc 11w2d 2nd Misc 6w2d 3rd Preg, Second Month on Clomed Baby Boy Born June 2013! 4th Preg, Fifth Month on Clomed Due 8/3/16
@saam0815 I also live in the city of Chicago. Not sure yet what/how we will figure out daycare/childcare. It has been a while since I really looked at things, but it is pricey. We have my family out of town and most of my inlaws in town. I really hope they are willing to help, but we have not even told the family yet. I am a Nurse Practitioner and my DH is a teacher.
I plan on going back to work as well. I would like to take the full three months, but just depends on if we can afford it. I plan on taking 2 at least.
@sdwilliams15 .. just because you're not working doesn't mean you aren't contributing. Raising kids, taking care of your husband and home is work! But I still work one day a week just to have a little of my own money for things like lunch dates and other non essentials. And being around adults is kinda nice too my being home has cut costs I didn't think too much about, like work clothes, gas, lunch money for myself, kids sick days/parties/field trips, and being able to meal plan better. I'm not the most organized person when I spend 40 hours a week at work, and my home definitely suffered. But really, it just comes down to what you and your husband end up feeling about the balance. For us, it's worth the little money I could otherwise make. Sorry for the story... it took me and the hubs a while to both be comfortable with our decision, and a lot of communication
I was a sahm mom for over 2 years with my daughter and started nannying. I plan on being a sahm for at least that long again. I loved it and my husband misses me being at home so he's more than supportive. My income is nice to have during slow months (winter) but it's not necessary for our survival.
Because I'm studying I'll be taking my study home with me, until baby it a year old, or so. I'll go back to work part time after that. DH does nights so baby would rarely need to be baby sat.
I've been a SAHM for four+ years now. I left my career and not sure i will return back to it ever again. I currently have a small business that makes small pocket money and I can do it on weekends when my dh is home. It's a hobby that I enjoy and make a little money with. I feel fortunate.
I have a soon to be 7 yr old and now pregnant with our second. I have 13 week leave which I am taking every day of it. I love my job so I am going back and I want to have that balance so that we all have our own time. Luckily baby will be under the grandma daycare plan. Or else I would be a stay at home mom.
I am SOOOOO excited, my job had 6 weeks, at 60% up until now. (Which, while difficult for us, is pretty standard, and I was glad to have anything) We figured I would go back at about two months, maybe 10 weeks TOPS and it was going to be tough. Especially with the cost of daycare looming...
Starting Jan 1, 2016, they will have 8 weeks at 100%!! Plus I get a week of sick time, and three weeks of vacation, so I should be able to take the full FMLA 12!!!
You all KNOW what a difference this makes... especially since I am the prime bread winner in our family.
My husband works full time, but I make double what he does and carry the benefits. I wish our jobs were reversed, it would give us a little more flexibility, but I'm just glad we have what we do.
I've been a SAHM since Aug 20010 when my First daughter was born. Then had my son in feb 13 and I plan to be home with baby 3 as well. Home has gotten quiet since big sister went to Kindergarten in the fall! We're looking forward to having a more lively house again! I did recently start a direct sales business, which I try to mostly do during naps, and at night so it doesnt interfere with the kiddos too much. But since I just started that will be something I'll have to figure out in the upcoming months!
Married 5/2/09 To my best friend
Lillianna Faith Born 8/26/10- My big girl kindergartner!
Peach- MC 3/2012
Logan Christopher Born 2/3/13- My little fighter, cardiac defects, 2 cancer scares and more surgery, tests, MRIs, cat scans, xrays than most people would have to face their whole life.
@mrsaddy24 i am so right up your street. I am self employed and plan to return to work 6 weeks after even though I know this will be a csection baby as it's my 3rd baby. I intend starting off 3 days a week. It all depends on how I recover post csection. I can't be a SAHM it's not good for my kids cos I am the too strict mother. So I need to go out there come back home and the little time I have with them is more cherished and spend well rather than full blown
I've been a mostly SAHM since DD was born 11 months ago. I work 1-2 days a week now. I'll probably take 8-12 weeks off to recover from the rcs and then continue working a couple days a week.
I am a nanny right now. I was a SAHM until my daughter was 2 1/2. I'm gonna stay at home for at least that long. But with 2 I have no desire to work. My husband is the breadwinner and we are moving and I'm about ready to quit and enjoy our time as a family of 3 before it all changes. And I'm so sick. It's just kicking in this week! I may nanny part time eventually but I have no plans for it as of now.
DH & I both work from home. We both work only 4 days a week. I'm trying to get a promotion & if that happens I will be working 5 days a week. Either way, love my kiddo but enjoy the break I get from being at work. It's also very fulfilling for me to have a job. Either way our schedules line up to where DD is only in daycare 2-3days a week. It feels like the perfect balance. I will be taking 4 months maternity leave, saving my sick/vacation time for anytime the baby gets sick. Then back to work.
I'd always planned on staying at home so long as finances would make it possible. I'd actually just gotten a job when I found out I was pregnant. This hasn't really changed the plans. It just means we can pay of some bills a lot faster and be even better off financially when baby comes. I feel I'd have made a great 1950's house wife - I love all things domestic and can't imagine not being home with the kiddo. Then again, we'll see how I feel when I'm around it 24/7 with no break. I might be wishing I had a job to go to lol.
I am the main income provider in our family, as my DH is currently finishing his PhD (he's supposed to be done summer 2016). I went back to work after 16 weeks with my DD (2013).
Not sure how long I'll take off with this one. Minimum 4 months, but preferably 6 (we're in Canada-- we can take up to a year). My company tops us up to 100% of our salary for 16 weeks, so there's no real reason to take less than 16 weeks off. Whether I can take more time off will depend on DH's income once he has completed his dissertation.
I will be returning to work. I will take 12 weeks of maternity leave and work four day work weeks, so hopefully that will give a good balance of work and family.
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I graduate from law school this spring and (hopefully) will take the July bar exam. After that, I plan to stay home with the baby and start looking for a job. I had one lined up before getting pregnant, but now that we are expecting, the job had to go. Oh well.
I am the primary money maker and we need two incomes, so I will be going back to work. I am anxious at the thought of childcare, but I'm hoping my in-laws might be able to watch the kiddo for us a few times a week.
I'm a high school teacher but I am seriously considering taking a year off. This will be our second child. My husband tells me to go for it but he's self employed so I carry the insurance. I'm really worried about paying for insurance when it's not through an employer. Anyone have experience with this and were you able to find an affordable plan?
Re: Any mamas plan on going back to work after baby or do you plan on staying home with baby?
PS I love reading all of your posts and the support for all types of work/life balance situations. Everyone is different, and no right or wrong way to do it!
1st Misc 11w2d
2nd Misc 6w2d
3rd Preg, Second Month on Clomed
Baby Boy Born June 2013!
4th Preg, Fifth Month on Clomed
Due 8/3/16
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http://alltheprettythings-cristina.blogspot.com/
But I still work one day a week just to have a little of my own money for things like lunch dates and other non essentials. And being around adults is kinda nice too
Sorry for the story... it took me and the hubs a while to both be comfortable with our decision, and a lot of communication
I am SOOOOO excited, my job had 6 weeks, at 60% up until now. (Which, while difficult for us, is pretty standard, and I was glad to have anything) We figured I would go back at about two months, maybe 10 weeks TOPS and it was going to be tough. Especially with the cost of daycare looming...
Starting Jan 1, 2016, they will have 8 weeks at 100%!! Plus I get a week of sick time, and three weeks of vacation, so I should be able to take the full FMLA 12!!!
You all KNOW what a difference this makes... especially since I am the prime bread winner in our family.
My husband works full time, but I make double what he does and carry the benefits. I wish our jobs were reversed, it would give us a little more flexibility, but I'm just glad we have what we do.
Married 5/2/09 To my best friend
Not sure how long I'll take off with this one. Minimum 4 months, but preferably 6 (we're in Canada-- we can take up to a year). My company tops us up to 100% of our salary for 16 weeks, so there's no real reason to take less than 16 weeks off. Whether I can take more time off will depend on DH's income once he has completed his dissertation.
BFP #1: 08/17/2012 DD1 born 05/01/2013
BFP #2: 07/31/2015 M/C 09/23/2015 (11.5 weeks)
Baby #1 - DD 8/29/16
Baby #2 - EDD 4/6/18