What do you think?

For those of you that have had children already..

Do you think it is better to go out on maternity leave before school gets (April/May/June) out or after it begins (Sept/Oct/Nov) ?

TIA

Re: What do you think?

Well, I've only done it once, and I went out in the very beginning of June, and if I could have had it my way, I would have taken my maternity leave in the beginning of the next school year. For me, I love the end of the year. We have so many fun things going on and the excitement is not to be beat. However, my school's policy is that you must take your maternity leave within 4 weeks of your delivery date. So either the 4 weeks before or the 4 weeks after. Since my daughter was born June 12, I had no option other than to go out beforehand.

Re: What do you think?

As someone that is due in Sept, I would say the end of the year. I am very nervous that my students are going to get confused that I am not there in the beginning and not have that bonding experience that I should in the beginning. I am also missing all the parent teacher conferences and back to school nights my district does for the year. I also find that any new expectations of teachers are explained the first couple days and I am going to be missing that. I am going to feel like a fish out of water when i come back in November! Plus, if you go out in May or June, you have an extra two months with your child!

Re: What do you think?

I think it depends on your position. As an elementary classroom teacher, it is MUCH easier to leave at the end of the year than to return a few months in. If you were a specialist (like prncss), perhaps it would be different.

Re: What do you think?

Last time I went out in April until the end of the year and it was perfect...I had all my paperwork done (I'm a special ed teacher) and it was totally low stress...this time I will go out in the end of November until Februaryish...I am totally stressing about it since its in the middle of everything! I think it will be a hard transition for the students and for me! If I had to choose, I would do the spring again!

Re: What do you think?

Re: What do you think?

I had my son a day before school started 2 years ago. I was nervous about not meeting the kids until after Thanksgiving, but it worked out well. I liked having the fall semester off. I like the spring semester much better. You have Feb break and April break and before you know it is summer. Plus, he was at such a fun age when I was off for the summer with him. This time around, my baby is due in Oct. Again, I wanted to be out for the fall instead of the spring semester and I was lucky enough that it worked out for me. I don't know, the fall drags for me so I don't mind missing it! I teach HS, but I don't know if that makes a difference.