going back to work during Olympics

[stella1w]

It looks like I will be due to go back to work after maternity leave just as the Olympics kick off. I would have to travel through a "hot spot" to get to work, and my potential nanny lives bang in the middle of another hot spot. Major overcrowding and delays are expected.
Official advice is to stay at the office later to avoid the rush (can't do that, have to get home for the kids), or work from home (not an option) or take annual leave (maybe, though would be odd just after maternity leave).
I foresee my return to work being even more stressful due to late nanny, me being late, boss being not understanding, and then being really stressed due to being late home for breastfeeding ds.
I honestly think it is a recipe for chaos and everyone being really unhappy and am wondering if I should ask to extend my maternity leave with some unpaid parental leave to avoid such a disastrous start.
I really would appreciate some help here, I am not trying to start an AIBU topic! London descend into travel chaos for no reason, so the Olympics will be madness.

Totally understand where you're coming from. Can you talk to your boss about it?

Can you extend by a couple of weeks? I took leave before I went back so not that unusual

Take additional annual leave after your maternity leave. I accrued annual leave whilst on mat leave - is this the case for you too? Speak to your boss about it. Say exactly what you've said here. It makes total sense.

It is not unusual to take some annual leave at the end of maternity leave, presumably if you are due back during the Olympics you are only talking about a week or two? Also if you do go back and there are travel difficulties, you will be far from the only person in your office who is affected.

I've tagged 3.5 months annual leave on to the end of mat leave as I accrued it and it needs to be taken before I return properly.