Return to work

[Maw7]

teacher on maternity leave, not sure to go back to work before summer holidays or take a full year?? She was born in December. Help please. Want to request to go back 3 days then 4 instead of full time but not sure when before summer hols or in November???? :(

Only you can decide based on what feels right for you and Dc. Surely it’s based on many factors - temperament of dc, how you feel, what childcare is available, financial constraints, if baby if BF, how much baby wake at night.

I am on Mat leave thought I’d go back earlier than I am, but I am delaying so I have full year as I don’t want to leave Dc before I have to. She has been a Velcro baby plus I feel she is so small (and she wakes a lot still as BF). We can survive financially. I will then go back 4 days a week using one day accrued leave for as long as possible as for me 4 days away from baby and 3 days with baby felt like a reasonable balance between babies needs and our financial needs. However this is just relevant to me and my family only.

I’d suggest taking as long as possible off work as baby only small once and I think you’re less likely to regret in a few years taking longer than cutting short - especially if you are unsure at the moment.

As above I am fully aware every mother’s situation and preferences are so different such that only you can decide what is best for you and Dc by weighing up the above factors for your situation.

Hope this helps. It’s a hard one isn’t it!!