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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How many people went back to work FT after maternity leave?

44 replies

KizboBaggins · 03/02/2022 08:20

I'm due in July (first baby!), I plan on taking 9/10 months mat leave then back to FT work after that.

I'm curious to hear stories about people going back to work after maternity leave. Did you do what you'd intended to do, or did it change once your baby was born? Anyone plan on going back FT but went back PT? Anyone not go back at all?

OP posts:

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bonetiredwithtwins · 03/02/2022 08:51

I went back both times at 20 weeks with my eldest and also twins - I'm the main earner by a considerable way so had no choice

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 03/02/2022 08:52

I did. No choice as I was the main breadwinner. And then became a single parent so have always worked FT. Now I'm coming up to retirement age I'm glad I did. My pension pot is looking healthy and I'm looking forward to retiring.

I was envious of those who could work PT but don't feel I missed out as weekends and holidays were always spent doing fun things. I lowered my standards in the house, nobody died and nobody cared. Plenty of food planning so meals were simple and quick for when we got home in the evenings. You've got a partner so it should be fine!

megletthesecond · 03/02/2022 08:52

No. I do 3 days, mine are teens now.

The 2 extra days were for toddler group and errands.

BiddyPop · 03/02/2022 08:53

FT after the 14 weeks mat leave and extra 4 weeks unpaid that I added.

It meant being organised, but manageable, DH did plenty in the house and for DD, and I managed to keep b'fing almost exclusively until 6 months and slowly weaned back to finally dropping the dream feed at 10 months.

MintJulia · 03/02/2022 08:56

I tried to return full time. They fired me first morning back (sorry, "made me redundant") having given my job and my team to the sales director's wife !

Then spent a year fighting an unfair dismissal case until they rolled over, the week before the hearing, and paid me a year's money to be quiet and go away.

Family legal insurance (tick box on the end of my house insurance policy) was my friend.

audweb · 03/02/2022 09:00

I did. Went back at eleven months. For a short time after that went to four days but quickly went back to five and shes nine now so it’s all we have ever known. I was always the main bread winner, and it kept my career going - both were important considering I became a lone parent about four/five years ago, and I get no help. It’s been hard at times but it’s manageable, and I’ve always had good paid child care. Works for us, and means we can enjoy holidays, not feel too stressed about money.

gemloving · 03/02/2022 09:03

I went back full time first time around, now I have my second who is 9 months and will be going back next months, part time until he's a year and then back full time.

If we go do have a third I reduce to 4 day week - 28h x

Strawberry0909 · 03/02/2022 09:05

Went back 3 days with DS1 at 9 months, increased to 30hours over 3.5days when he was 2,
Currently on maternity with DS2, plan to use annual leave to return 3 long days at 9 months and go back up to 30hours when he's around 18months, luckily have family for childcare

larrythelizard · 03/02/2022 09:07

I did but I'm the only one of my friends that has. I love work, I love using my brain and it means we can afford the little extras and have quality time at the weekend/weekends away/holidays etc.

I moved jobs last summer so now work at home 90% of the time which means I'm available for nursery runs etc etc. Also I always finish at 5 and hang out with DS until bedtime (unless It's my night to be at the gym or something) - I can then log on and finish work after he's in bed if need be.

Im currently pregnant with no 2 and plan to do the same.

Foxglovers · 03/02/2022 09:11

I planned on going back FT, this changed to PT whilst on early mat leave and then I decided to take a few years out and go back (probably start a new career tbh) when DC are older (thinking end of primary school age. I would. Ever have thought I wouldn’t go back but I’m very happy with my decision and enjoying being with them FT

Spirael · 03/02/2022 09:12

I went back FT after 8 months with both of my children, with no friend or family support nearby. I had a 4 year gap between DC, because we couldn't afford two sets of nursery fees at the same time. So we had to wait for the eldest to get some free hours.

Honestly, it was hard going. Everything has to be organised with military precision and for several years both DH and I existed in a haze of exhaustion. However, it has paid off in the longer run. The DC are old enough now to be more independent, our pension pots look strong, and I've not had any career breaks - which has meant my earning has stayed level with DH.

Just watch out for workplaces being a PITA. I did KIT days during both sets of maternity leave to try and stay connected, but when I returned to one of my workplaces I still found that they'd stealthily promoted my trainee to be my boss. They also forgot to restart my salary, so my first payslip was for £0... Which was not ideal when there were nursery fees to pay!

BakeOffRewatch · 03/02/2022 09:13

I went back full time the Monday after my first born’s birthday. It’s been half a year and going well. But toddler is really happy in childcare, open communication with nursery staff as much as with DH, and their hours are long so no stress of being “late” and commuting - I think it would be a lot harder if any of these 3 things weren’t in place.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 03/02/2022 09:16

After my first I went back full time - not by choice- after my second I went back part time- way more important once a child hits school age imo.

hypeman · 03/02/2022 09:19

I went back full time when my 1st was 14 months. I had no choice and needed to do so financially.

I did it for a year, I'm not going to lie, it was brutal and shitty for a number of reasons. Mostly because I didn't want to leave him, didn't want to be back full time. Working full time and looking after a young baby is very relentless and chaotic.

I bit the bullet as I couldn't cope anymore and dropped 1 day a week and although it's still not ideal it's an improvement on the situation but I am suffering financially for the decision.

Sorry for the negative post. It's just my personal experience. I enjoy being back at work it's just the balance was wrong. I think 3 days a week for me personally would have been ideal. Conversely I know people who went back full time and enjoyed getting their career back. I don't think anyone else's experience can inform you on how you'll feel as it's incredibly personal and there is no right or wrong.

Had you asked me when I was pregnant I would have told you I would be back full time between 9-12 months and wouldn't have even considered that I wouldn't want to do that. I was very career driven. I changed.

runningoutofnewnames · 03/02/2022 09:21

Went back part time and have worked part time since. No regrets, have much preferred being part time.

I'm just going full time in the next month or so and my youngest is 9.

It's not just about being home for the kids, it's also that I've really enjoyed the flexibility and life balance that being part time has brought with it. I'm slightly reluctantly going full time now, as I'm being promoted, could do with the money and didn't want to miss the opportunity.

Twixie2022 · 03/02/2022 09:25

I always planned to go back full time, did look into part time but ended up going back full time in the end. I work 45 hours a week from 6.30-4. My partner though is amazing and does CM drop offs at 9 and I do pick up at 4.30-5. I do pay CM to provide tea for DS which helps as we come home and play for an hour or two before bedtime. It is hard with trying to keep a house too but my standard has lowered dramatically . DP does work from home and does washing/hoovering on his lunch though so this helps! It helps what DS LOVES his CM and her husband but he is always so excited to see me on pick up. He also spends one day a week with my mum & dad which I think is good for him. It’s hard though, I had horrific mum guilt for months but once they are settled it’s fine. It means we can afford days out with him on a weekend, occasion treat toy from the shop and a yearly holiday. If I went part time there would be none of that. X

Notlostjustexploring · 03/02/2022 09:39

I went back after 9 months and compressed 34 hours into 4 days. My husband does the same. It meant the kids could have a day off with each parent and during the kids' nursery career it was saving anything between £300-£500 a month in nursery fees. It also means that any illness only needed 1.25 days annual leave per parent, which helps keep your employer on side and conserve your annual leave. It did feel like constant plate spinning.

I can also really recommend splitting parental leave, so my husband was off for 3 months when I returned to work. It meant I wasn't stressing about leaving either child in nursery while I tried to ease myself back in to work, and it means that I am not the default parent because he had ample experience.

I am considering reducing my hours a bit, not for childcare, but because I've decided life is too short and I'd like a couple of hours to myself every week.

Notlostjustexploring · 03/02/2022 09:39

1.25 days annual leave per parent per week rather.

InvisibleDragon · 03/02/2022 10:32

My first baby is due in June. I plan to go back f/t at about 10 months. I don't really have much choice because I'm doing an in-work training scheme that isn't easy to do p/t. If I took more time off it would be hard to stay in the program (I think they could accommodate but it would be a huge hassle for me). DH is planning to drop down to 4 days / week for a bit to spend more time with the baby when I go back to work. Nursery will be pricey but we'll make it work.

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