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Mommas: work question, long.
I'm in the process of trying to decide what to do for my maternity leave. The baby is due Nov. 27, so I was thinking of taking off from Thanksgiving to New Year. (typcially during this holiday time, we close the office for about 2 weeks all together) Two things that play into my situation:
1.) I have a complete office setup at home and am able to work if/when I can.
2.) We are very small. We have no time cards, vacation/sick time, etc. We pretty much do whatever, whenever. (I've taken a good amount off this year, about 3 weeks total....but I always work remotely, I even did in HI. I've been paid my full check all year.) My boss has said I won't be paid for the time I'm completely off and not working (at least a couple hours here and there) from home.
My main responsibility is company bookkeeper, and I'm meticulous about it. My boss' wife has generously offered to come in while I'm out to help in the office. This will involve me training her for about a week.....and more importantly TRUSTING her to do it right. I'm 99% sure I'm gonna come back to my books being a MESS!
I was thinking that I'd have the baby and take 2 weeks (unpaid) completely off....not touch my phone, email, laptop. Then start checking in on things and working a little from home. But, now I'm getting really hesitant about trusting things to get done properly...which is my main concern over the paycheck. Am I completely crazy to think that I could work every couple days for a few hours immediately after coming home from the hospital?
This doesn't even include the fact that one of my CWs goes completely BSC whenever I'm out of the office. I swear she can't think without me. She calls, emails, texts me at least 15 times/day if I'm not here. She will be zeeeero help if boss' wife has any questions. So that 2 weeks unpaid.....I'm a little bitter about b/c I know I'll be contacted, aaaaand we always close/PAID time off for the holidays anyway.
Re: Mommas: work question, long.
That is essentially what I did, since I work for a monthly publication, so there is no way to take 6 weeks+ off, as that would eliminate 2 out of 12 issues for the year. I have to say, though, it really depends on your baby as to whether you're able to work a couple of hours at a time here and there. Some babies seem to be fine napping for a couple of hours, and if they're sleeping ok, you can still think semi-well, and it would probably work out. Other babies, like Michael, nurse for 30-45 minutes at a time, every 1.5 hours or less, and wake every 1.5 hours at night, all night, until they get their days and nights straight, which can take a few weeks. I found it extremely difficult to concentrate to the point that I was working at my full efficiency at that stage; I even worked over him attached to my boob. It's worth a try, but be prepared if it doesn't work out right away. Also, start telling your CW right away that you will not be available, period, and do not contact you, since you otherwise will not be getting a maternity leave. DO NOT CONTACT ME. DO NOT. DO. NOT. If she does, don't answer.
As grateful as I am for my job situation, I'll never get his newborn stage back, and I feel like I spent most of his first 2 months in anxiety over when the next free hour was that I'd get to work. It is doable, it just isn't pleasant.
I wasn't working from home when DD was first born, but I can definitely relate to this. I feel like I spent the first year in anxiety over when I would be free to do something other than hold or nurse her, since she was soooo needy. I don't know if I expressed it on the board, but I spent several months, hours at a time just holding her so she would nap (sacrificing my need to move, even go to the bathroom, because if I did, it would wake her up).
I suggest you discover the joy of baby-wearing early on. This might help you get things done that you need to do even if baby is not sleeping, but just wants to be held. The Moby wrap is nice. I know others recommend the Mei Tei.
In a perfect world, your baby will be easy and content and you will have no problem getting work done from home if need be. Of course, that is my wish for you, but if it does not work out that way, I would definitely make sure the coworker knows to LAY the EFF OFF until you are back on a paid schedule.
How is it that my BABY is going to be 3?
BFP-2/25/11; 8 Wk U/S-3/25/11-No HB, measured 6.5 wks; D&C
I agree that either way, you need to start working on CW to DO NOT CONTACT you during maternity leave. It is essential that you are able to nap, shower, spend time with baby, or just plain relax and heal without fear of constant interruption (especially if you're not being paid for it)!
Besides that, I don't think you're crazy thinking you could get a bit done here and there, even after two weeks. I was able to get more done when Jeffery was an infant that I honestly thought I could. He was a good napper, though, so that's definitely why. I did often read/type while he was nursing. But if you will likely have some paid down time during the holidays anyway, I'd try to work some here and there and definitely take that!
That said, I also agree that you need to make the most of baby time. Especially if it is your first, you will never have those days back. I have some of my sweetest mommy memories from my first days at home with both boys. And now that they're bigger, I am only beginning to realize how fast time flies. Even now I find time to work throughout the day, but still try not to get too focused on it, since I know these days are short.
"My 101 List - Updating asap, I swear!
I'm late, but I wanted to agree that it really depends on the baby.
There's no way I could have even thought about work with Braden. He was a marthon nurser and never slept more than about 45 minutes at a time. I have a lot of free time with Mackenzie though. She's a much more efficient eater and then naps like a champ (for 2-3 hours at a time). With B, I was up all night.. with M, I'm up twice for about half an hour each time.
I also totally agree.. you'll never get those first few weeks back.. I'm right in the middle of them now and just loving every single snuggle. It's such a special time, you don't want to be stressed out over work
I'm late, but I wanted to agree that it really depends on the baby.
There's no way I could have even thought about work with Braden. He was a marthon nurser and never slept more than about 45 minutes at a time. I have a lot of free time with Mackenzie though. She's a much more efficient eater and then naps like a champ (for 2-3 hours at a time). With B, I was up all night.. with M, I'm up twice for about half an hour each time.
I also totally agree.. you'll never get those first few weeks back.. I'm right in the middle of them now and just loving every single snuggle. It's such a special time, you don't want to be stressed out over work