DS is 10 months and I have happily discovered I'm pregnant again. After struggling for 3 years last time, we are delighted. I'm on maternity leave, due to return in a couple of months. I've really enjoyed maternity leave. I also mostly like my job, have been doing KIT days every 6 weeks or so and still feel a part of the team there. I've negotiated returning part time, which all parties seem happy with, and I've sorted nursery.
But - now I'm pregnant I'm not sure whether to return to work for 5 months or whether that is just going to cause disruption for the company and stress for me. We can afford for me not to return; my part time salary and nursery costs would mean I would only take home a relatively small amount of cash each month, however looking at the long term I thought it was safer to stay in employment for better job prospects in the future.
If I don't return to work, my plan is to complete a personal project I've been working on for a couple of years (don't want to out myself, but along the lines of an invention) that could potentially make money/lead to an exciting business that would be my dream. I've struggled to find time to work on this during mat leave but could afford 2 days' childcare for DS each week to get this off the ground. DH is encouraging me to go ahead with this option (he has a 'seize the day' type attitude). His job is secure and has decent pay. What scares me is the lack of regular income, and the fear that I won't be able to return to my career if my business idea doesn't work out. OTOH, will my job even want me back for 5 months? I can't predict whether they'd find it useful or just think I was taking the pee. WWYD? Sorry this is so long!