Some of you in academia may especially have experience with this. I work at a university and am planning to begin working at home for a few hours a day (or the equivalent of 1 day per week) beginning at about a month after giving birth. I'm doing this so that I don't have to distribute one fairly small instructional duty to the rest of my department. It's failry small from my point of view because I do it every semester, but it would be big for anyone else to have to manage. I'm also thinking about going into the office one day a week at around 8-9 weeks pp, but I can always change my mind on that later.
The advantage to me for this is that I get to drag out my leave. Instead of taking 12 straight weeks (which I could do; I'll have that much leave saved) I can stretch it out to 18 weeks. Of course, at the end I'll only be home one or two days per week, but that's better than nothing.
Has anyone returned to work part-time this early? Since I won't be leaving home, I'm thinking it should work out all right, though I am worried about other duties creeping into the mix so that I end up more stressed out and overworked that I intend to be. Also, by doing things this way, I give up my protected maternity leave, and my bosses could theoretically change the plan on me at any time, though I don't think they'd do that. They have heard the plan and they are totally on board. They'll agree to just about anything to keep me in charge of this project, I think.
Anyone BTDT? How did it go?
ETA: I had 16 weeks with DD1, and while I loved my time with her, I started going a little crazy by the end. I think getting back into my regular routine a little earlier and more gently could be good for all of us, but who knows how this pp period will go. We could have a non-sleeping nursing striker and my brain could be mush. Come to think of it, that's how it was with DD1.
ETA again: DH is a SAHD, so I don't have to worry about childcare.
The advantage to me for this is that I get to drag out my leave. Instead of taking 12 straight weeks (which I could do; I'll have that much leave saved) I can stretch it out to 18 weeks. Of course, at the end I'll only be home one or two days per week, but that's better than nothing.
Has anyone returned to work part-time this early? Since I won't be leaving home, I'm thinking it should work out all right, though I am worried about other duties creeping into the mix so that I end up more stressed out and overworked that I intend to be. Also, by doing things this way, I give up my protected maternity leave, and my bosses could theoretically change the plan on me at any time, though I don't think they'd do that. They have heard the plan and they are totally on board. They'll agree to just about anything to keep me in charge of this project, I think.
Anyone BTDT? How did it go?
ETA: I had 16 weeks with DD1, and while I loved my time with her, I started going a little crazy by the end. I think getting back into my regular routine a little earlier and more gently could be good for all of us, but who knows how this pp period will go. We could have a non-sleeping nursing striker and my brain could be mush. Come to think of it, that's how it was with DD1.
ETA again: DH is a SAHD, so I don't have to worry about childcare.
Of course, I am just sitting in a chair, but I did have to give up my daily nap and stay up a little later. I had a really easy physical recovery from this birth and ds is a fairly easy baby. Also, dp works long hours, so I think it is really doable since you will have your dh home to help all the time. Good luck!
