Career or third baby

[Travelfoodwine]

I have two children who are 4 and 5. My husband and I have decided that we want a third.
However, I recently got a job promotion at my school (I am a teacher). I will be starting at the end of August.
The longer I wait, the bigger the age gap (which I do not want), but I feel so awful on work.
I would only take 3 months off work, and if I got pregnant in the next couple of months I would only be missing 8/9 weeks off work.
What would you do? Third baby or career?
If only I was a man and didn't have to think about timing!!

I don’t understand why it’s one or the other? They won’t take your promotion away because you have maternity leave. If you want another baby, try for one but remember no guarantees. If you’re lucky and it happens, you take Mat leave then go back to work. And maybe your DH should step up and take some shared parental leave! It doesn’t have to be all on women.

Dont 'feel bad' on work. And if the reason for only taking three months off is because you feel bad then nip that in the bud. We have a legal right to have children without being penalised for it by our employers, and you have the rest of your life to work. 9 months is tiny in the grand scheme of things

Both. You can share maternity leave with your husband. and even if it takes a few months to conceive you can work until say 38 weeks, so basically get time to establish in new role.

Both!!

That’s what I’m hoping to do, anyway, so I am hopeful that it can be done. I know it will be more difficult than with two children, but I quite like a challenge. I also feel guilty regarding work, even though I know I shouldn’t, but I try to remind myself that one final mat leave is a tiny amount compared to the years and years I hopefully have left to work!

If you really want a third baby then you will make it work.
I have spent the last 2 years really focusing on my career after the birth of my second child 3 years ago, I was promoted last year and then found out I was pregnant with my third child in April of this year. I had a complete meltdown and felt so guilty but I decided to go ahead with the pregnancy and am confident it will all be fine.

You're a replaceable asset at work. I wouldn't plan your like around work.... take the promo, get pregnant, legally you're protected. If you're questioning it you're basically prioritising you're work over your family which is wrong.

Both if you want them. I bet your husband isn't having the same worry? Women have got to get over this false rhetoric of thinking you can't have both!!

Thank you for this.
I feel so awful for going for the promotion when in 9 months (if I were to get pregnant straight away) I would be leaving for three months, especially as other colleagues applied for the job.
I love my work, but know I will definitely regret not going for a third. I have always wanted three.