Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

Just wondering. how many weeks / months had you planned on taking off after having the baby...

And how much time did you actually take off?

I'm thinking only a month for me 'cus I love my job and don't want to be away too long!

But is 1 month enough time to bond with the baby?

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I could take 12 weeks and that's what I took. I think one month would be way too short. IMO the first 2-3 weeks is really rough. By the 4th week, it gets better and by 6 weeks it was really good.

Looking back, I wish I had taken 16 weeks. I think one more month would have been great!

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I had 13 months off, I left work about a month before my son was born as I had some holiday to catch up on. Because of the maternity laws in the UK I was entitled to have up to a year off. For me, it was the perfect amount of time, and I know how bloody lucky I was.

They have changed the laws here now and the government now pays you for 9 months, when I had my boy it was only six months. With my next baby I am going to have a year off also. It was perfect.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I was going to take 8 weeks but ended up taking a little over 3 months instead.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

i told my job i was taking the 6 weeks.... well 2 yr later im still home...

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

With my first I stayed home 13 weeks. With my second I decided to take a year off....that was 5 years ago and a third baby later .....

Message edited 5/30/2008 8:09:39 AM.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I originally anticipated returning to work after 12 weeks but I extended my leave 2 more weeks.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I think a month is too short if you can afford to take more time off.

I love my job too and I looked forward to coming back, but like the PP said, the first couple of weeks are so rough and you don't really get to enjoy the baby that much.

I took off 5 months as planned.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I took the 17 weeks I was allowed at my job. I go back on Wednesday. I feel like that was not enough time.

I considered the first 6 weeks as "survival". We are learning the baby and the baby is learning us. He had to get his days and nights straight and we had to sleep whenever we could. Once we got past that, it was easier and more enjoyable. I feel like from 2 months on is when it gets to be a little more fun. I would not want to lose out on those first few months. Your job will be there when you get back. DC will not have these months again. JMO.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I planned on taking 3 mos, but ended up taking 5.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I had 2 months of paid maternity leave and that's what I took. I didn't want to use more so I could have sick and vacations days for the rest of the year to use as needed.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I took 4 months, and then went back just part time for another month. 1 month is DEF. not enough time, if you can afford to, I would plan to be home longer. The emotions you will feel once this baby is born will be incredible. Nothing I can explain, but you will completely understand once you hold your DC.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I got 12 weeks and today is my last day!! I definitely don't think it was enough. It took 6 weeks to really get in a groove and now at 11weeks old she is getting to be sooo much fun. I am so sad to leave. If i had the choice I would stay home until 6 months, but I can't! I would say 4 weeks is definitely not enough time. I can't say how much is ideal because for me it would never be enough.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I planned on taking 6 months (much of it unpaid) but now I am planning on taking about a year. I think this might be the only baby I have and since we can afford for me to be home without pay for that long, I wanted to take advantage of it since I felt like I would never have that opportunity again.

I am especially grateful lately since we were dealing with a very bad case of eczema that was majorly interfering with DS's sleep. I was happy that I was home to take care of him and that I didn't have to go to work after many nights with little sleep.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I planned on taking off 8 weeks after the baby. I wanted to work until my water broke. I really wanted to break it on my boss's desk.

But, at 34 weeks I was put on modified bedrest. Since I had DS at 38 weeks, that meant I took off a total of 12 weeks (4 before and 8 after). But I wasn't getting maternity leave, so finances had a lot to do with it. I would love to still not be working, but it's just not feasible.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I took every minute that I could. I was off for 12 weeks, only paid for 6. I would have taken another month if I could have, paid or unpaid.

For me, a month would have been too soon because I wasn't even fully healed yet, I was just starting to get into a routine with DD and that's also when she started to show signs of her milk allergy. If I had gone back to work then it would have been BAD.

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I planned on taking the full 12 weeks but was laid off a week before my due date. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise!!!!!

Re: Did You Take More Time Off Than You Anticipated?

I took 20 weeks (8 weeks for C-section, 12 weeks after that for NJ Baby Bonding). I am glad I took all the time I could - it's time that I will never get back!!