Hi all, dw is an English teacher (a deliciously fine and wonderfully skilled one) at the local school. We are due with our first on 2nd August 2005.
She currently works Wednesdays and Thursdays with no additional management responsiblities (she stopped ft plus 3 when we were ttc for less stress and some time together before babbas !!!).
She is about to disucss dates / arrangements for return to work after the baby, and wondered if any gems of MN wisdom might fall her way.
I have questions regarding dates and questions regarding working pattern upon return:
DATES:
We are planning on 26 weeks OML, and 26 weeks AML, but:
- Should she try and take it as early as possible (Earliest OML I think is week 30 or 17th May) or as late as possible (compulsory leave week 39 29th July)
- Would decision above particularly impact when she could / should return ?
(I know some people have posted, for example, about returning at the beginning of a half term or at the end of July etc. etc.)
WORKING PATTERN:
We chose her current Weds / Thurs part-time arrangements as it gave us long weekends either side. Is it likely that with a baby some other pattern might be better ? 4 mornings a week perhaps, or Tuesday / Friday to space out being away from sproglet, or perhaps sticking to our current Weds / Thurs might be easier were we to need a childminder etc.
(I have very flexible working arrangements, might even be SAHD, the school loves her so will likely be flexible).
Answers on a postcard, all comments appreciated.