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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Early maternity leave ideas

13 replies

Amybluebell · 01/03/2021 19:10

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and will be taking early maternity leave from next week. I am unable to return to my job as a primary school teacher because school has said it isn't safe. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can spend my time? My partner will be working full time in school so I'll be on my own for the next 3/4 weeks .

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

peachypetite · 01/03/2021 19:18

The best thing I did was fill the freezer with healthy meals like soup as well as a big batch of muffins.

dementedpixie · 01/03/2021 19:20

What do you mean unable to return? After maternity leave? Or just now?
If they can't make it safe for you then you should be off in full pay until you want your maternity leave to start. They can't make you start it until 36 weeks at which point you would be off for a pregnancy related issue

Yellow85 · 01/03/2021 19:24

Spent mine watching Netflix, walking and washing and ironing baby stuff. I’d say chill out and get some sleep in!

Keyboard91 · 01/03/2021 20:07

What @dementedpixie said. They must suspend you on full pay. Do not accept an ‘early’ leave date.

Heyha · 01/03/2021 20:11

Absolutely agree with the others- don't waste maternity leave before baby arriving. You should be suspended on full pay (or given appropriate alternative duties, likely WFH) until you would have gone on mat leave if you'd had the choice.

Your union will absolutely back you on this as it's very clear.

BobbitWormNightmares · 01/03/2021 20:15

Snap to PP. Read up on your maternity rights. If it is unsafe to work, you can be suspended on full pay

Original poster

Amybluebell · 01/03/2021 20:17

Yes should have clarified. I'll be working from home so they'll be paying me in full x

OP posts:

Orangedaisy · 01/03/2021 20:19

In that case you work.....and break up the loneliness with walks, zoom calls with friends and cleaning/meal prep, reading, tv, yoga on YouTube and sorting out baby clothes.

Superscientist · 01/03/2021 20:22

I started maternity leave the day after my daughter was born as she came early so I didn't get to do what I planned for my prebaby mat leave.
I intended on spending my my time baking (I had been a proper cream tea with clotted cream most of my 3rd trimester) and doing bits of arts and crafts. I managed to finish the cross stitch I was doing 2 days before she was born but I wanted to do some drawing.
Thankfully I have been able to find small chunks of "not a mummy" time so I have done a few bits here and there but the week I had planned.

Ask yourself what soothes the inner you and if I had 20 minutes just for me what would I do? It will stand you in good stead once baby arrives you can't give all of yourself to another human being without occasionally focusing on yourself.

Heyha · 01/03/2021 20:30

Well in that case, you do your work, don't you 🤷‍♀️

dementedpixie · 01/03/2021 20:39

You said your leave was starting next week and it was starting early. It's not maternity leave if you're still working. You could work from home until 36 weeks at which point your leave would start early

peachypetite · 01/03/2021 21:10

So you’re not starting maternity next week?

Seablueeyes · 01/03/2021 21:22

As a another primary school teacher that wants to work from home from 28 weeks (I have been whilst children have been off but I’ll be back in school next week at 23 weeks pregnant), what will you be doing at home in terms of work OP? Working from home has been easy whilst children have been off as I’ve been doing online lessons and marking but the need for that will go from next week! Thank you.

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