How long did you take on maternity leave and what is the minimum you would consider?

[wastwinsetandpearls]

Another thread has got me thinking.

I am luckier than most and have a dp who works part time from home, I recognise this before I get flamed.

We are trying for a baby , we have been waiting for 6 years for the perfect time which has involved me being well and financial security. I am well and although things are not perfect financially we are better than most.

I am the major breadwinner and therefore I cannot be out of the workplace for very long at all. I get 6 weeks at 90 %, we then cannot afford to drop in wage so that may have to be it. I could maybe last one more month. Dp would then have to take over. He says this is not an issue and he will have to fit in his part time flexi work around a baby. My Mum is also moving down to be near us so she can help out. ( That depends on her selling her house though)

It has dawned on me that this is unworkable and we need to stop trying for a baby at least for another year ( which may mean forever) and accept that we are lucky to have the one rather fabulous child we do have. As an added detail dd is not dp's biological child.

Am I right, is this unworkable and a baby is just a pipe dream?

Childminder, same as Cargirl.

It's like a second family for the DS.

I had 4 months off with my first. Single parent, no family support and worked full-time. All doable. I used a fab childminder. A (good) childminder would always be my preference for a young baby/child

Gosh, I think you could definitely do it, if you have hands-on DP and mother or MIL around too! I have much the same care scenario as OP is suggesting - and went back to work (ie leaving the house for an office every day) at about 5-6 months (although I worked from home much sooner than that). Year's maternity leave is great for those who want it and have DH's who can cover the bills. But as others have pointed out it's not long ago that women only had 3 (and in the US they still do). Good luck!