Best time to return to work after mat leave

[blackcat86]

I am currently on mat leave with a 9 week old baby. I went on leave 34 week pregnant due to health issues. I will be returning to my old job but will be looking to reduce my hours to 3 days a week. We have a very keen DM and MIL offering free childcare so this is not an issue and I feel extremely lucky to have trusted people on hand to help. MIL is retired and DM is retiring at Xmas. Terrifyingly I already need to consider my arrangements for returning as work need at least 8 weeks notice and before that I need to apply for flexible working to formally reduce my hours so realistically i probably need to set wheels in motion post Xmas. I had always envisaged 10 months off with the last being saved up AL to help financially. But work were great when I visited with DD and made it clear that if I want the full 12 months they have my caseload covered, if I want to come back earlier they have new work for me to do. Now I'm torn by the sheer amount of choice. Do I stick to the 10month plan, stay off but then have no AL when I get back, or do I go back early and eek out my AL for shorter weeks. Will I even be better off financially with that 3 months of work at reduced hours rather than mat benefit? I'm interested in people's experiences of returning. What did you do, what worked well and what didn't? What would you change if you could (or did) do it again? DH is happy with whatever I decide as our MIL and DM regarding childcare help.

Congratulations on your baby!

Sounds like you have a fab set up. Three days a week is a good number to work imo and you have family support and a good DH. Your work also sound like they are flexible/understanding!

It is a really hard one cuz to me ‘The best time’ is really dependant on the baby and the circumstances. I think 9/10ish months sounds about right but it’s hard to say.

If you can give 8 weeks notice your baby will be about 7 months so you should be in more of a routine. If your baby is sleeping ok, eating a bit and seems settled with family then you will be be happier to set a date. You will also know if you think you are ready to go back - I was a little bored so went back at 7mo this first time and 9 months second time.

Also I kept a few days AL back to cover sickness (of the baby) for the first few months after I went back - took the pressure off a bit and I told my employer exactly what I was doing and why.

:)

I like the idea of keeping some leave back for emergencies. I'll have 29 days AL because I saved it all up last year when I was pregnant. I'll also have all my new leave so it could be tempting to use it all but I'll keep some in reserve. Baby eats really well and has the odd hour with her grandparents all ready which is going great. Sleep is an issue as she still wakes every 2-3hours.

I dont think id make any plans before getting the flexible working request agreed. If they refuse and say its a 5 day week, then that will likely change your plans.

Can you put the request in now?

I would take the full year if you can! I've recently had to go back to work at the 9 months mark which felt like loads of time when I was planning it but now really wish I could have stayed home with DD a bit longer.

I would agree, take as much time as you can! However I felt really keen to go back to work for me, to have something that wasn’t about being mummy. So really I would overthink 2 months! You aren’t going to do any harm whatever you choose.

But also plan for disruption with lo, I was so focused on how much this was a big change for me and I didn’t even consider what it would be like for my lo because he was with family. They tend to need extra mummy tlc and be more unsettled overnight. So maybe you could consider a phased return?

I don't think there'll be a huge difference for you. I agree about gradual return- I did 1 day 1 week, 2 the next 2 weeks then 3.

dd was up at night a lot and v clingy for a while.