according to my jobs "handbook' i am entitled to take up to 12 months off, but i cant afford to take a year off. i was thinking about taking 4 months off...is that a normal ammount of time to take off? or should i take more??? or less?? basically the ammount of what i can take off will go by how much $$$ i can save up from now until april (my month that i am due)... please just give some advise in this area... oooh btw i know i can get 6weeks of paid family leave from the state, and disability for the time that i wont be working, but please help me see what is "normal" maternity leave!!!!
2006-09-07 05:46:36 · 17 answers · asked by miss me! 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I think normal is whatever you make it to be. If you feel like 4 months is a good amount to stay home then do so. I did like you did and saved up money throughout my whole pregnancy. And I didn't even have to touch that money because we did fine just on my fiance's salary. I would suggest at least 3 months. I wish I could have took off longer but I was on bedrest for a while before my son was born and I had to get back to work.
Whatever you decide enjoy it while it lasts! Congrats!
2006-09-07 07:12:52 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to sound horrible after reading the other posts, but in the vein that we're all different, here goes: I took 12 weeks off, and am just back this week. Honestly, I didn't love maternity leave, although I thought I would. I could have done without the first 4-8 weeks, not getting any sleep, not knowing what I was doing, not getting much response from the newborn, etc. At about 10 weeks I started to have fun with the baby, because he "woke-up" more. I think I went back to work just when it was getting enjoyable, and had I taken 3 more months off I may not have wanted to go back!
Good luck.
2006-09-07 07:43:09 · answer #2 · answered by tish 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have not performed any analyze in this nor do I have any own journey to entice from, so i'm no longer likely to weigh in on how lengthy maternity depart should be. i'd like to furnish a diverse attitude although. As I understand, paternity depart, even as presented, is shorter than maternity depart. i have come to the authentic paternity depart should be mandated to be both as long as maternity depart. Why? that's no longer just about the fathers, although they ought to have a probability to bond too (i imagine if fatherhood were inspired as a lot as motherhood we would all be in a lot more beneficial positive structure). right this moment, an business enterprise knows that if a guy has a toddler, he (would) pass on paternity depart for some weeks. If a lady has a toddler, she is going on maternity depart for some months. the guy is the more beneficial positive funding. yet when depart were a similar, it doesn't make any huge difference what sex the worker change into--i imagine it would strengthen women's status interior the workplace. i understand some human beings pick to forgo depart, yet when the business enterprise nonetheless has to pay them out it shouldn't make too a lot huge difference.
2016-10-15 23:24:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took 6 months of maternity leave with both of my kids. It was not paid of course, but I'm thankful that I was able to do it since it is not possible for many mothers. I have a wonderful husband who worked hard for us so I would be able to spend that important time with by children. I don't think there is any "normal" time for maternity leave. You will know when you are ready to go back to work. I enjoyed my time off, but I was emotionally and financially ready to go back to work after 6 months. Good luck!
2006-09-07 06:05:50 · answer #4 · answered by jillie76 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was only able to afford to take off 8weeks. One thing we did that helped out alot when I was off was to save up a little bit of $ at a time then the month that I was actually due (July), we paid double on the bills that we could (doesn't work with credit cards obviously). For example our electric bill was say $50, we paid $100 so that we basically got a $0 bill or a very small bill for August while I was off. We did that with our electric, our phone, cable, gas bill. Anything that we could that would basically give us credit when we overpaid.
2006-09-07 05:58:56 · answer #5 · answered by missionhtg 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on your finances. I will tell you... that the best leave of absence... is a permanent one (at least for the first couple of years). When I got pregnant, I did with the intention of not going back to work until my kid was in school. After having my first, I decided I wanted a second (and am 5 months along)... so going back to work will take a bit longer. I personally feel that it's the best choice for me and my children. I'm also very dependent on my husband to provide us with a lifestyle so that I can be home.
If you have that capability, I say don't go back to work until...!
But if you must work to pay bills... stay home as long as possible without going into debt (most working moms go back after 3-4 months). Every second you spend at home with your baby... is a second you'll never get back with them again.
Very precious!
2006-09-07 06:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by VixenMom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I had my son I took the full year but did caretaking work when he was about 3 months old. I really regret it because I have had severe back problems since.
WhenI had my daughter I went back to work when she was 4 months old and after a tubaligation - but that was because my rent wasn't getting paid like it should have been.
If I were you, I would take at least 6 months off but get your stuff together babysitter wise before you go ob hunting- it's not as easy as it sounds.
Take it easy because it is taxing on your body and you can be no good to your baby if you're tired.
2006-09-07 05:55:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My wife took 6 months off the first time and is planning that again. I am happy she will be home for the first six months, as we started looking at daycare centers prior to 6 months and I started crying (when we were visiting one) thinking of my daughter in there so young. We ended up getting a nanny for the first one at 6 months and are really happy.
I plan to take paternity when my mother in law leaves after 2 months, although it will not be nearly enough time as we need to make $$.
Anyway, finances can many times over rule your preference, so take as much time as you can, it is time well spent.
2006-09-07 06:02:04 · answer #8 · answered by almost3am 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do whatever feels right for you as well as what you can afford. Most people who are working take 6-8 weeks because that is paid time off. You should be eligable for much more unpaid time under the FMLA laws in your state.
2006-09-07 08:20:21 · answer #9 · answered by Gina Maree 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got six weeks totally off, and four months until I had to be back in the office (I did some light work from home in the interim).
I think four months is a good time... I might have wanted a little more (six months would have been a little easier for my babe, I think) but it was all right.
I can't imagine going back at six weeks. :( I feel for mamas who have to.
2006-09-08 04:59:19 · answer #10 · answered by kalirush 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋