to want to delay going back to work?

[ohbabybaby]

DD is 9 months old, I'm due to go back to work when she turns one. I am really enjoying her at the moment, now she sleeps properly, naps properly and is generally more fun. I don't want to go back to work yet. Also struggling to find childcare I am happy with at the moment.

I am considering asking work for a 6 month career break (they would probably welcome this due to headcount issues, though no guarantee). I have plenty of money saved I had expected to have used by now, it would not impact us financially day to day.

However DH is not keen on the idea. He is concerned about my job security (I don't believe this to be an issue), and my career (that has already gone to pot from the moment I announced my pregnancy...) He is in a new job at the moment, so his job is not mega secure. However in my view all the more reason for not making life more difficult for both of us by having to share more childcare responsibilities while he is stressed out trying to establish himself in new job.

I don't want to do this if DH will resent this, but I don't know whether to push this idea further (had set my heart on it from moment it occured to me).

AIBU? And stupid/naive that it will be easier to go back to work when DD is 18 months old?

if you can take longer, do it! sounds like you'll regret it if you go back too soon

Take as much time as you can. I am not sure if it would be any easier at 18months, but at least you will have had the extra six months with your DD. If you do go back, you would probably feel resentful towards your DH, so really, it is the lesser of two evils

Are you me? I'm due to go back in October when DD2 will be one and I'm dreading it. DP in new job and redundancies likely at my work. However, financially I have no choice but to go back.

With DD1 I went back when she was 6 months.

If you can afford it then I'd take the time off - there are no guarantees it will be easier to go back when she's 18months - but a lot can happen in 6 months. You'll never get this time back again, its such an exciting time, DD will be learning to walk etc.

Could you go back part-time for a while?

gosh if you can do it, go for it. Might be a long long time before you get the opportunity to have such a break again (sighs and recalls the heady bliss of a nice long maternity leave)

I can see why your DH would be worried. Financial security is important and I'm sure he wants to have back up in case his job goes.

However if you genuinely think your work will be fine with it, and your job will still be safe at the end, then why not.

Only you can make this decision but:

As general rule the longer the time you take off work, the harder it is to back for you (emotionally, not used to working etc) and for your child (used to you being there, not being left etc). If you really don't want to go back now, you certainly won't want to 6 months further on.

Are you quite sure your job is that secure? Most organisations tend to offer these sort of breaks when they need to save money ... meaning that the possibility of redundancies are not that far off their radar. If they were fully performing they'd want all hands on deck ... wouldn't they?

As others have mentioned - is part time an option?

I'm trying not to be pessimistic, but I think you need to be realistic