Maternity leave with number 2

[LittleMonster100]

Getting pregnant and going on mat leave again was all I dreamed off since returning to work after dc1. I wanted another child and wanted to raise my children myself and really enjoyed not working and being a (sort of) SAHM.

I returned to work and fell pregnant with dc2 immediately and now mat leave again looms but I'm nervous about it. Mainly because I've got used to being a working mother and the current routine and worried I won't enjoy maternity leave as much second time round.

Anyone have any words of wisdom?

i would say don't over think it, that will just make you worry and there is no point in worrying about something you cant do anything about. im sure maternity leave will be fine once your on it and have your dc, you will make a new routine. good luck

The new routine will be different but you will adjust. I actually found I enjoyed mat leave 2 more than mat leave 1 as I could really savour not being at work and had much less angst about the baby, and could enjoy all the extra time with my toddler. Don't worry, enjoy!

I agree with madamegazelle I'm enjoying my second maternity leave much more than my first. You get lots of time to spend with your toddler and are much more confident with the baby. I found I have much more of a routine now which suits us all. We're always up and out of the house by 9/9.30 to do something and then the afternoons tend to be a bit more chilled at home or around at a friend's.

It is had work with two but you'll find a routine which works for you.

Good luck

I personally found my second mat leave much much harder than the first, because I was expecting it to be like the first and it wasn't. Just don't expect it to be easy; juggling two is very difficult. What will your age gap be? It took a few months for me to really start enjoying it. Sorry if that's too honest but it might help you to be prepared?! I'm having a third mat leave all going well, so it can't have been all bad!

I hear you, I got pregnant quite soon too (three months after being back) and I kind of find it hard to have built my professional life again and then going on maternity leave. It is a lot of change to deal with, isn't it? I have also moved house and area and have builders in so even more intense. What I'm thinking is:

• Imagine you were trying for number 2 and it wasn't happening. That would be much MORE stressful than this situation.

• Even if it is tough, it'll give you extra time with your first child while they are still young.

• Ultimately, if you want two children and to work, then doing it this way means that when you do go back to work the second time you kind of have the full picture and can work on what you want from your career in that knowledge.

• People cope with and adjust to all sorts of things. In a way, thinking about it in advance is most of the stress.

Thank you all...there will be 21 months between the two so expecting it to be hard but guess I'm mostly nervous about the change after only just settling back into working life.

Ultimately I will have to return to work and we're very happy to stop at two so at least I am doing the hard part in life now (pregnancy 2 under 2 etc) and then I can return to my career still relatively young (am 30 now).

Thank you for your support everyone.

I'm 30 weeks with ds2, ds1 was two last week.

I work four days a week but got pg too soon after starting job so will only get maternity allowance. I'm planning to use this money to keep ds1 in nursery three days a week so I'm able to make the most of my six months off.

Could that be an option? I'm nervous about only taking six months this time having done a year before. But I was bored stiff last time, so who knows?

As others have said, try not to think too much xxx