Do you really "get" maternity leave when you already have children at home?

[hattyyellow]

Just trying to figure it out. I have twins who are 3 and a bit.

Planning to start maternity leave either start or end of November depending on various factors to do with the pregnancy which should be determined following next scan.

Last time around I had no children so my maternity leave was straightforward.

This time around my girls will be at two nursery sessions (9-2pm) and one pre-school session a week. We can't really afford any more sessions on top of this as we've used all our early year vouchers and the double cost of childcare on one income is pretty high.

Due to low numbers at my pre-school, I'll be with them for most of the sessions as I'm rostered on to help out.

So is the key to make the most of those two nursery sessions and just lie on the sofa reading - or did you start demanding weekend maternity leave time as well?

I can't quite see how it's going to feel any different from a normal week as I'll still be looking after pre-schoolers while DH is at work/doing housework/going to toddler groups etc.

I'm not complaining..just wondering if maternity leave really exists second/third time around...and if so, how?

I have a 4 year old in nursery and a 1 year old at home I am 22 weeks pregnant and I am running a business with my stepmother so no break from that either LOL. I think this pregnancy is going to be pretty hectic but I think the key is to just make small changes in routine so that you have a slightly easier time, for example I normally walk places when not pregnant but get the bus or a taxi when I am pregnant. Also my husband is really good helping get the kids to bed etc when he gets home from work so we get the whole evening to relax. My son is starting 2 mornings a week at nursery after christmas because as he gets older it is harder to sit on the computer working if he is around!!

Sophie

aren't your three year olds entitled to 5 sessions week each paid for now?

Hatty, I was wondering this as well! We are keeping DS at the CMs for three days a week until my due date and then (hopefully) a day a week after that, so I shoudl have a bit of a break. I know you work from home, but as TIH said it was one factor in deciding to work until 37 weeks: work is far more relaxing than looking after a toddler.

Can you get someone to cover your nursery rota if needs be? You should be resting, remember?

Cheers all, some really useful ideas - sounds like small changes to existing routine is good and I do like the sound of DH doing pre-8.30 post-6.30 stuff - he's been great already at doing breakfast etc for the girls where he can.

The girls are using their max daycare vouchers at the moment with the 2 nursery sessions (2 vouchers for each session per child) and the pre-school.

The pre-school volunteer rota is fraught with pre-school politics. I've ended up doing the most parent duty sessions this year because I have two children at pre-school.

Which doesn't quite make sense as my two children go once a week and most other mums send their one child twice a week = everyones children going the same amount overall. Does that make sense?

I haven't kicked up a big fuss because (a) my girls aren't very keen on pre-school and it's often easier to stay with them and have tea made for me by the lovely teacher and do story reading for the kids on the sofa etc and (b) i was mid-vomity morning sickness when they changed round the way parent duty worked and didn't have the energy to make a fuss. Next term with a new babe as well I will be getting a lot more shirty about it!

I can see exactly why so many of you are staying at work! I've just cut down this week to 1.5 days from 3 but I'm quite looking forward to it!