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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

If you run your own business...

12 replies

Ladypug · 02/04/2015 14:54

...how much maternity leave are you taking and what is your set up? I'm going to struggle to take loads of time off. I can work from home though. What is everyone else doing?

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Foggymist · 02/04/2015 17:20

I'm taking 5 months, so I'm missing out on another month of state benefit but I need to go back to work. I work from home so it's not so bad.

Artandco · 02/04/2015 17:26

I took 10 weeks first time, and 6 the next.

Although in reality I still did bits like Emails from about a week.

I worked from home and took dcs into my office ( 8 staff members). Once they were about 3years they have started nursery in the morning, and we now have a nanny 2 afternoons a week (2-8pm). Ds's are 4 and 5 now. I between we still work from home or they come into office

rosy189 · 06/04/2015 06:58

Ladypug-

Ive been wondering this, I am an illustrator and I work from home, I'm planning to go in leave between October and march, but still keep up with the odd bit of work on the days I feel up to it, but to not except any projects from publishers during this time

purplemurple1 · 06/04/2015 09:22

I went back pt (avg 2 days a week) straight away with dc1 mostly qorkung from home but took him with me to a 2 day meeting at 6 qeeks and oh took leave when i worked away for a few days at 3 months. Otherwise he was ft.

Dc2 i started a ft course the week before she came and worked ft until she came then dropped to half time and oh also dropped to half time.

Both are reaonably easy babies and Im ff.
The toddler is the reason we can work less time so plan thar you may need to slow work down later even if you return quickly.

MSMB · 06/04/2015 11:20

I would like to take as much time as possible but it's very difficult as I own a shop and have limited staff. I plan to take a month off then go in 1-2 days a week x

missmargot · 06/04/2015 11:27

I took 3 months but was checking emails after a couple of weeks. I then did 2 days a week whilst DS was at nursery and juggled the rest of the week working whilst he napped.

GoooRooo · 06/04/2015 16:01

I'm taking 12 weeks, which is the same I took with DS.

It's not enough - ideally I'd like 6 - 9 months - but it's all I can afford.

DS goes to nursery and the baby will be joining him from 3 months old.

It's actually a relief to see other posters on here in the same kind of position. I have been judged rather harshly for going back to work after three months in the past.

TheMidnightHour · 06/04/2015 16:32

DP and I run a small business together. We have 2 modes of work: on site (brings in more £/day) and from home. We are both working frantically now, to stash away some ££. Afterwards, we are hoping to afford a year without either of us needing to do an on-site. I'll take the first 3 months off, then he'll go on shared parental leave (as 3 months is about as long as I can leave some of our clients) then we'll see.

Frankly, I'm 18w and knackered, so not sure how well even this phase of the plan is going to go as the bump grows! Just v glad the shared parental leave has kicked in just in time for us.

Dogsmom · 06/04/2015 20:11

With dd1 I took 9 months but had saved up, with dd2 I've booked 3 months and now she's 5 weeks old I'm already dreading going back and leaving her while she's so little.
I'm lucky that Mom is having her but it's still heart wrenching to know I'll miss those days with her.

After dd1 I also cut down to 2 days a week, financially it's hit hard but we've cut right back and can manage ok until they're at school and then I'll increase back up to full time.

museumum · 06/04/2015 20:22

I took 3mo entirely. Then I started using my kit days (ten) one per week with ds with his dad and gran.
Ds went to childcare at 6mo and I worked three days but only 9-3.
After a year I was back up to four full days a week.

3rdbump · 06/04/2015 21:23

I have been trading a year now and suddenly becom busy over the past few months, i work from home and have a work shop in my garage making and selling horsey things online. I am selling between 10 - 20 items each week now and working 3 days per weeke when kids at nursery/school.
I cannot afford to leave my business for long so planning on taking orders week before due date then taking 3 weeks off. In reality thats all i can do really.#
Luckily OH is self employed too and his work is seasonal so quiet in the summer so least he will be around to help out. Baby is due end of may

Bellabutterfly2014 · 07/04/2015 22:19

Hey - I saw this conversation and thought this might be a useful consideration.
I haven't got my own business (not as of yet but hopefully in the future) but I'm a PA by trade specialising in travel & events management but can turn my hand to most things.
About 5 years ago I was registered to a temp agency and I did a 3 month contract supporting a lady who'd had a baby in running her own business - she had a large private hotel and just needed an extra pair of hands.

It worked really well and meant she could be there popping in/out but had me day-to-day - might be worth considering short term - she was going to have a doula but decided someone In The office would be a more practical solution.

I know a temp costs money but it could be a weight off your minds ladies - us you get to try before you buy if you keep them on??

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