When did you go back to work?

[LoveYouHoneybear]

Just that. If you did go back to a job after having a baby, how old was your baby? Thanks!

I went back full time, 10 hour shifts over 4 days, when DS was 8mo. It was the right time for me. I needed to be around adults again, I was going slightly pickled on mat leave.
I’m planning on 8 months with baby number two as well. But I’m in a different role now so I’ll be working 9-5 MWF.

After first baby I went when he was 9 months. Second baby I went at 10.5 months. Currently pregnant with third and hoping to stay until 11 or 12 months. Whatever you feel comfortable with, I used to say I'd be back at 6 months but I couldn't. I have friends that went at 6 months but mine had allergies so couldn't give formula. I went when I was happy with his solid intake and I used to express at work for the next day feed.

Should add both times I was working 7:30-4/5.
Currently working 2x 12 hours days and 2x 12 hour night shifts with 3.5 days off.

I went back when DS was 14 months old. Very generous mat leave policy as I’ve worked there so long plus annual leave tagged on the end.
I went back 4 days a week for a few months but then dropped to 3 days as I wanted to be home with him more. I’d only been back 5 months before lockdown started.

@MrsLeclerc that's fantastic!

11 months. 9 months mat leave plus 2 months annual leave. I went back 4 days and still work that pattern now. It’s worked out really well for us.

10 months. Had 9 months maternity then the rest worked out as holiday so pretty much the longest time I could get it without it being unpaid

... But my maternity started as soon as she was born so I was quite lucky

I walked out of a full-time job I hated about a month before I got pregnant, so that was bad timing!

When dc got to about two and a half, a friend of mine needed a part-time book-keeper, so I started doing that freelance, and eventually ended up with other clients as well. It was handy because I could work around family, and from home if need be.

Went back full time at 10 months (9months maternity and 1 month annual leave)

I went back at 4 months, working from home full time, while my husband took shared parental leave. I then took another 2 months of leave when she was 9 months old, and we both went back to "business as usual" when she was 11 months, which is me working full time from home, and my husband teaching part time. DD is with grandparents one day and nursery two days a week.

9 months but now regret it.

Both kids have been 2 when they started childcare. It's a good age IMO, I think DS2 would have been fine any time from 15 months or so. I can't remember what DS1 was like but he was very attached to me and struggled to be left so maybe it was better to leave him longer.

I went back nearly full time when DS was 9 months old (when my SMP ended).

Eldest she was 9 weeks old, part time.

Next was 16 weeks old, 3 days per week.

Next 6 months, 3 days per week.

Youngest was 3 months but very part time - Saturday job with two evening shifts.

3 days when ds was 12 months

6 months, but my DH is a SAHD.

DC1 - 11 months. I didn't return to my old job though, I interviewed during my mat leave and moved employers and luckily they were great and let me delay my start for a few more months. I also moved to 4 days.

DC2 - 12 months (but only did 2 days per week until 14 months as I couldn't get a nursery place any sooner). And I did the same again going back to work but for a new employer. This time I managed to negotiate down to 3 days and have moved to 3.5 recently.

6 months part time. He'll be 18 months when I start full time again. Honestly, going back to work has made me feel like 'me' again - I love it.

11 months with both of them (they each started nursery a bit before that, roughly 9-10 months). In both cases, I was part-time to start for the first year or so (3-4 days a week) as my work is quite intense and I can work long days and commute a lot, so I really try to keep 1 day off each week. For awhile, I did this working compressed hours M-Th and having Fridays off.

It was a really nice change of pace for me and they both settled well into nursery. I still have Fridays off (my youngest is 2 now) and that works well.

@Fressia123

9 months but now regret it.

May I ask why you regret it, Fressia?

I did some KIT days from 5mo, then at 5.5mo (after 6mo of leave - didn't have a baby for the first two weeks!) I went back nominally full time, but fortunately in a position to use my accrued annual leave such that I only worked full time from 9mo. That worked for us.

I went back to work when after 13 months. I went back doing 25hours a week. Set days.

Just under six months I went back (was expecting no.2 at that stage) so I went back (teacher) had two months then summer hols and went on maternity again.

I'm going back (next week!) when my baby will be 13 months. Full year maternity + a few weeks either side annual leave. It's been slightly too long, but that's entirely down to the pandemic.