Mat leave...how long did you take?

newnursejoan · Jul 16, 2011

My sister took a year off, which is the maternity leave in Ontario, Canada. It went so fast, and her husband ended up taking a almost an additional year off, because they felt their child wasn't ready to go to daycare. Just take the year off, and play it by ear then. I wouldn't suggest that you go back to work before the year is up, because its something I think you'll regret your entire life for doing. When are you due?

Fiona59 · Jul 16, 2011

A co-worker came back after 6 months. Her husband lost his job. She said the combined EI payments weren't enough to live on.

ruralgirl08 · Jul 16, 2011

I am already off, baby would be 7 1/2 months if I take this new job. It's my dream job, but I am worried about missing his firsts, cause they are so special. Grandma would be watching him, when I go back, which is better. But I may not have a opportunity like this for quite awhile, and I can't get this time with baby back either.

ajaxgirl · Jul 16, 2011

Just wondering how long you took off on mat leave, and did you feel it was enough time with your baby? Also, would you have gone back earlier for your dream job?

No way would I go back before the year is up, not for any job.

With my first, I took the year and then went back only part time. With my second, I took a few years off, then went back casual.

I think you will regret missing the time with your child, especially if the new job is FT.

Fiona59 · Jul 17, 2011

Dream jobs often have the nasty reality of not being so dreamy once you are in them. Those first years only come by once.

I was lucky, I was able to stay home until my youngest entered kindergarten, so all in all, I had a decade off. Money was tight, but I was there for nearly every first. My children are adults now, they remember going to the park and all the other "little" things you do and they remember me. They don't remember that we had a 15yo car and that they didn't have all the latest toys.

ruralgirl08 · Jul 17, 2011

I was kind of afraid of this answer, because I really want both. I am thinking about asking how flexible they would be with a start date, even if I could get a couple months longer at home with him. Financially, it would be better if I went back a bit early. I guess if we had planned it a little differently from the beginning, it would be a lot easier of a decision. Thank you for the responses, it has given me a lot to think about.