ARR...returning to work too early! :(

[Clare1981]

Is anyone else taking less time off than they would like because they can't afford to live on statutory maternity pay? It makes me feel sad that I can't have more time off with my liitle boy - I'm planning to return to work after 4 months xxx

[carrielou2007]

Hey, I went back when my daughter was 5 months, she is now one and yes it is a killer and I found it harder than giving birth.

I had to as I am on my own and could not afford to be a stay at home mum much as I wanted to. All my friends with babies have lovely husbands with well paid jobs and all sort of turned their noses up at me as if I was a freak for leaving my baby but I have no choice.

It IS hard and I wish I could have had more time with her but I love my job so at least that makes up for it, if I hated it I think it may have been a very different story.

Any one who starts going on about quality time etc crap, I just want to be with my girl every day and 7-8am and 6-7pm just does not cut it but hey, I still have a gorgous girl, some people aren't that lucky xx

[alfiesbabe]

My children are older now, but I returned after my first when she was 3 months old - simply because maternity leave was much shorter then (6 months maximum and only the first 3 months paid). I couldnt afford to take the extra 3 months unpaid.
Advantages: it's likely to be much easier to leave your baby at 3/4 months than at, say 10 months or a year. Almost all the mothers I know who take the full year off now, have more problems leaving their child at nursery or CM than i ever did - they go through a very clingy stage at around a year, so it's probably not a good developmental stage to start leaving them. You'll get back into the swing of your job very quickly, because you wont have been out of the loop for long. It's great being a mum, but great having a life of your own too.
Disadvantages: it's bloody hard work, especially if you're still bf as i was. Routine is everything. And look after yourself - early nights etc. Also, some people will look down their nose at you (CarrieLou I know how it feels when everyone else seems to swan around being a SAHM paid for by DH) but sod 'em - your time will come when several years down the line you're a capable and achieving working mother with a lovely child too!

[PlscanIwinthelottery]

Me too, going back far earlier that I would like and wishing for a loaded (or earning!) DH

I think all you can do is the best for your baby, and that means, for me, earning some money. Sadly.

I can't live on SMP. People keep telling me I'll find weekends and evenings with the baby is the quality time. Not sure about that...

[YAP]

I went back four weeks ago when ds2 was just 5 months. Only part time so not too bad but reason for going back early not money but because my company made it very clear that my maternity leave was a time for my boss to prove whether he really needed me.

Can you go back part time?

[CarGirl]

I started a new job when dd1 was 9 weeks at that time I was receiving JSA or was it income support I had to be actively seeking work from when she was 6 weeks old! Yes it is very hard when finances are so tight you cant stay at home until you are ready to return to work.