Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I have to admit, I'm kind of jealous of the women that get to take 12 weeks!!
I have no choice but to only take the 6 weeks. I'm starting a new job in September and told them I would only take the 6 weeks. I also won't be getting paid.
I feel guilty that I have to go back so quickly. I wish I could take more time.

Any BTDT moms who have only taken the 6 weeks and can assure me its not that bad?

Anyone else here only taking the 6 weeks?

Message edited 7/16/2012 8:23:54 PM.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

With DS i only took 6 wks and this time w DD ill be doing 6wks again. The guilt will literally kill you but you get into a routine and adjust. I was lucky and have family watching my kids and w DS they sent me pics and videos on my phone all day long so i didnt feel like i was missing too much. Im not gonna lie to you, 3yrs later i still feel guilty when i leave him for work. It never gets easier, you just get used to it.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

In a perfect world id work part time cause honestly i consider work my "me" time. I adjusted my schedule at work so i leave at 3pm 3days a wk so i get to spend more time w DS. After DD is born ill do my 6 wks off and then work from home 2days a wk hopefully till the end of the yr. after that im going to ask to adjust my schedule to leave everyday at 3. Hopefully my boss goes for it.

Im jealous of those that get more than 6 wks too. Its tough but what can we do kwim.

Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

i was only supposed to take 6w, but then i had a c-section so i got 8w.
at 8w i was absolutely no where near ready to go back both emotionally and physically (i had a very horrifying birth). i ended up getting a full 6m of short term disability, but it cost me my job.
its been 14m now since DD was born and i honestly can't imagine what life would be like if i went back after 6 or 8w. i love being an accidental SAHM. but if my birth was normal i prob would have gone back on time.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

i will probably only be taking 6 weeks or a bit less depending on how i feel....i work for family and i dont get any paid leave time but im also only going back 3 days a week and my mom will be watching

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I went back after 8 weeks cause I had a c section but I was ready at 6 weeks to go back. Physically I was fine after a week or so. Mentally DS was screaming his head off for the entire 8 weeks and I needed a break to keep me sane. I wish I could trade my maternity leave for time now with DS.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I ended up only taking 5 weeks because they really needed me to go back to work early. It was a little rough (emotionally, not physically...I felt fine about a week after giving birth), but DH took some extra time off of work, so it helped a lot.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I only took 7 weeks.....

It wasn't so bad..... It was nice getting back to adult conversations as a break from the three hour feed, change nap schedule, plus you still get to do that after work and weekends

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

With DS I originally planned on 6 weeks, but I didnt feel ready and extended it. When I was to return I still didnt feel ready even with the extension, but honestly I had to go back. He is 3, and there are days I want to just stay home especially when he asks me to stay and play with him. Its hard, but once you get into a routine it does work out. For me being a SAHM is not an option right now.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I will only be getting 6 weeks of disability (and at half pay whenever my sick/vacation runs out) but I am taking 12 weeks (6 weeks unpaid) because I am not sure how I would feel about leaving our LO so young.. it sucks because we need my income for bills but we have been putting money in our savings account in the meantime to cover those expenses. Its a tough decision, but thats good that at least your LO will be with your mom to make you feel a little better.

Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I'm sorry that you are in this position but remember woman used to pop their babies out, strap them to their backs and were back in the fields the next day. I am only offered 6 - 8 wks depending on my type of birth, which BTW, I think is disgusting for an employer to do to a mother. I think you will do just fine. Emotions will prob be tough at 1st to deal w/but like you said, at least its your mom watch DS and not some stranger. I have decided to add 3 wks to leave, 1 wk pd and 2 wks not pd.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

We get 6 weeks paid or 8 with c section. UP to 12 but those extra weeks are with out pay and that it is really not an option for me to not get a pay check for 6 weeks. I may give it up for 2 weeks, but it would not be a good decision to do anymore.

I feel your pain. I am pretty busy at work and work a good amount of overtime throughout the year... I am so envious of those who atleast get to spend their summers home with their kids.

Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I get 6 weeks paid but will be taking another 6 weeks without pay.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I'm only taking 8 weeks my job does not offer any type of maternity leave and I saved all my vacations and sick and all i have is 8 weeks.

Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I get 6-8 weeks at partial pay (depending on type of delivery) but I will be taking an additional 6 weeks unpaid.

I think the type of maternty leave offered to mothers is disgusting, but I guess there is nothing we can do about it.

Re: Anyone only taking 6 weeks leave?

I usually take 12 weeks but this time around I might not be able to afford it. I might just do 6 weeks since my job forces us to take 6 weeks or 8 weeks if csection. It was hard at 12 so doing 6 this time around is really killing me.