Working Mom Seeking Suggestions About How Long to Take off of Work

Unfortunately the law only states that they need to be able to give you the time off, it doesn't stipulate on if it is paid or unpaid. I agree that 2 weeks isn't enough, especially on a second child. Good luck.

The law requires six weeks but not paid. I had to use all my vacation and sick time, then I went unpaid. I did have a doctor that released me back after five weeks but I was actually off for six weeks because I was a week overdue and had already been off work for a week before I had my son. With my first I was ready to go back after a few weeks. With my second I enjoyed the time off but could have gone back before that. With my third I had problems, not major ones, but problems after delivery and the first week I barely moved. But by the sixth week I was painting my living room. I think being off for six weeks and going back would be harder than just taking a few weeks. Some doctors won't release you after only a few weeks though and some daycares will not take babies who are younger than six weeks. I'd say that a week after the birth your body is well enough to work, DEPENDING on what the job is. All I did was sit at a computer. Look into going back part-time. My co-worker took two weeks off and came back part-time for two weeks before returning to full-time.

I would check with your human resource. My job allowed six weeks & 8 weeks if you have a C-sec. I only received 1/2 of my pay during that time. I did have a C-sec. Plus, I took FML (family medical leave) for an extra month...which was not paid. Unless you work for a small company, I would think you should have similar benefits.

Like the other posters, there isn't anything saying your employer has to give you more time paid. If you qualify for federal FMLA it is up to 12 weeks unpaid. Some states (Iowa does) have maternity leaves (unpaid also) that apply even if you do not qualify for FMLA. Two weeks is not enough time, my doctor wouldn't even consider signing a release slip until 5 weeks. Get all you can paid and then take as much as you can unpaid. Above all, congrats on your expectancy and enjoy that new baby!

I really wish I never left California! In Cali, you pay a state disability tax, so that you can take up to 12 weeks off for the birth of a child and receive 6-8 weeks disability pay (up to 66% of your salary). They also have an FMLA law that allows you and the father to take up to 12 weeks off and get paid for 6 of those weeks. You can't take the leave together and it can be used within 12 months of the birth of a child! I stayed home for 13 weeks paid (disability adn sick and vacation time) then took off another 6 weeks when my son was 10 months old and got paid through FMLA. AND my husband took off 12 weeks - all paid (FMLA , sick and vacation time!). I didn't know how lucky I was...I thought everyone at least got 6 weeks off paid through the state, no matter what state you live in!

It sucks how completely unprogressive Nebraska is! I don't know what to tell you other than FMLA does allow you and your husband to take off 12 weeks within the first year of your child's birth, but it is unpaid! (The only disclaimer is that it might stipulate that you had to work somewhere full time for more than a year and there has to be so many employees, in CA it's 50 or more employees). So you could take 12 weeks off, go back to work, then your husband could take 12 weeks off and put your children in day care when he's back at work. So if you can swing not having a paycheck for 12 weeks, take it all off!

The only law I know about is the Family Medical Leave Act which states that 12 weeks of UNPAID leave is available to mother or father after working at least 12 consecutive months at that place of employment. Do you have a Human Relations department or a specific person to discuss benefits with? Look in your employee handbook. Some companies cover short-term disability which maternity leave might fall under. If there isn't anything, start lobbying for something. It may not come into play this time for you, but it would help in the future and for others.

Six weeks is usually the recommended ammount of time. Of coarse if your job requires a lot of physical activity you may want to take more time off. I took a full ten weeks off when my little girl was born and I went nuts sitting around the house....of coarse I only went back part-time after the 10 weeks because I wanted to be home with her more. Hope this helps.

Hi L.,
I know that being a busy mother and recovering don't always go hand in hand... You need to allow you body to recover and your mind to adjust to the new demands and schedule.. being tired, lack of sleep, it is all a new juggling act with a new little one in the mix.. Stress and recovery go hand and hand too. Does your place of employment have a human resources department??
I recently started working from home and that has been such a blessing to me and my family. I would love to share this amazing opportunity with you.
Congratulations on your sweet little boy!
Blessings,
T.
www.thehomecareer.org

When I had my first two kids I took six weeks with both. I had signed up for short term disability when I was first hired on and that payed me from the time my doctor put me on leave until I went back six weeks later. I went on leave before I was eight months pregnant with both of them. Check with your benefits department and see if you have the short term diabillity. Most daycares don't take kids before they are six weeks old I don't think.

I ran into the same problem with my work several babies ago. I found out that the family medical leave act does not require your work to pay you for your time off. That is just a benefit that they give to you. Now the family medical leave act does say that you can take whatever amount of time off from work and that they must have a position for you when you return. What I ended up doing was taking the week my boss gave me paid and then using all of my vacation time and any pto time that I had left. After that I took time off with no pay. I ended up taking 6 weeks off with all of my pregnancies. It put a strain on us financially but I needed every one of those weeks to heal. Hope this gives you a little more information.

Hi L.!!

Oh, I understand where you're coming from. I have 4 kids and going back that soon is h*** o* you physically AND mentally. That's exactly why I decided to stay home and look for something to do from home. I couldn't have someone else telling me when I had to come back. My family came first, not the boss!!!
I started searching for something to do from home and found a company that had a perfect setup for me. I truly work from home and have for a year now.
I work with a team called the Stayin HOme and Lovin It team. Not sure if you'd love to be home but if you do, I hope you'll at least get the details. We're a group of moms helping other moms stay home and make money.
God bless you and hope this helps!!

T.
http://tinamccomb.stayinhomeandlovinit.com
go to "get more info"

Congratulations on your baby! If you are looking for some supplementation to your income during time off, try business like The Pampered Chef. I work a couple nights per week and sometimes I just take my kids with me! I would love to share more!
M. Wilson
Independent Director
The Pampered Chef
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