[Mom2Austin]

My question is this:

Once you have the baby, how long do most people take off work & stay home? 8weeks? 12 weeks?

I will be allowed to bring my baby to work with me when I return so I will prolly go back sooner than I think. I think I will get lonely at home by myself. I hate staying home.

I am just wondering what the norm is on being gone from job? We have saved no money to allow for me to be gone very long :-( We depend on my income too!!

6 weeks is usually what the norm is.

[Tammy9988]

I remember feeling ready to go back to work at around 4-5 weeks with my daughter. I was becoming so bored at home. This time around I work from home already so it is going to be weird...everyone is asking how much time I am going to take off and I'm like, I don't know, perhaps 3 weeks. They think I am nuts. But I am a commissioned employee in sales...my cell phone and my laptop are my office and it would kill me to send clients away for too long. We'll see........

[Danielle1973]

Can take off 12 weeks where I work but only get paid for 6 weeks.. Im planing on taking 8 weeks because I have 2 weeks vacation saved up.. Then its back to work..

[Mom2Austin]

I don't know if I'm getting ANY weeks paid off!!

I don't know how to ask that!!!

[MommmyAmber]

I've been off since I found out I was preg. I won't be going back to work for about another few months. But how cool to have a job where you can bring your baby. Do you mind if I ask what you do?

[chantellnp]

I'll be taking 4 months off. California disability covers 6 weeks for vag delivery, 8 weeks for c/s. Plus you get 12 weeks for bonding time, 6 which is paid

[msd128]

I'll be taking off 6 wks. I can't wait to go back to work.

[Mom2Austin]

I've been off since I found out I was preg. I won't be going back to work for about another few months. But how cool to have a job where you can bring your baby. Do you mind if I ask what you do?[/b]

I basically work as a secretary/title clerk at a car dealership where I am going to move my office to a HUGE office so I can put a pack-n-play & stuff in there!! It will be a large private office with locking door & mini-blinds where I will be able to breastfeed & everything!! Even watch TV(well I do that now!!) But no computer in there :-(
I will miss that being at my desk like it is now!!! :-)

[Natacha]

I'll be taking off 6-weeks, but I only work 3-days a week anyway, so no big deal really. I plan to nurse, so this will make it somewhat easier.

[StarrMom]

I'll be taking 6 weeks if I give birth vaginally, 8 weeks if I have a C-sec.

I am only getting paid from short term disability, so I can only take off what the doctor says, and that's my doctor's guideline.

[BobbiC]

I am in Canada and we get a year off paid. So I am taking full advantage of this. I can't wait to have the year bonding time.

[Angelica81]

I am in Canada and we get a year off paid. So I am taking full advantage of this. I can't wait to have the year bonding time. [/b]

Now granted the paid leave is 55% of your income up to a maximum of $1600/month. But it's still worth it!

[venessa04]

i am taking 8 weeks off not paid. we saved up so thats how long im taking off

[AmyT]

I am going to TRY to take 4 weeks off, but that's only because I run a daycare from my home. I will still be here with the baby every day...and still be able to breastfeed and all that. BUT if we could afford it I would be taking more like 8 or 12 weeks! I would love that much time to spend alone with my babies!

[CeiCei]

The US average is 6 weeks...I will be out for almost 8 weeks because the hospital I am delivering at is catholic base and they do not perform tubals, so I have to wait 6 weeks before I can get it done at another hospital

[KRW]

I am in Canada as well, so 1 year is the max you get off. Unfortunatly I am a small business owner so I am not eligable for the maternity benefits but my husband can take off and claim the paternity benefits. [ In Ontario anyways] its 17 weeks mat benefits paid up to $423 per week max and 35 weeks paternity beenfits so DH can apply for and take off 35 weeks to look after the baby while I work.

[Ravynsmom]

I will be staying home and attending online classes for about the next year and then transfer to the University nearby right around the time he turns 1. I live with my mom and do some work from home for her, and after all of this court stuff with the kids dad gets settled I'll be receiving child support, so it'll all work out.

[Sweetpea's_Momma]

I will take off at least 2-3 years. Up to 3 years is normal here. First year is paid 70% of regular income in Germany and the 2 years after that are unpaid.
Most likely I wont go back to work at all since during those 3 years I will most likely get preggo again, then I get a new 3 years and so on till I am done having kids...
If i ever work again, it will be self-employed as a daycare mom.

[mom2jeremy]

i didn't realize that 6 weeks was the norm. i am taking 12 weeks which i think is barely long enough.