Did anyone go back at 12 weeks?

i didnt but i'm sure there are people who have. are you taking into consideration your PPL and any other entitlements you may get?

I'm the main breadwinner and over the threshold for entitlements. We're going to have to take out a loan to supplement the PPL for those 12 weeks so we can still pay our bills - especially as it looks like we may be the proud new owners of a large mortgage (eek!!!).

We'd planned for me to take 4 - 6 months off using our savings but those are all now going into a deposit on a home.

The timing all sucks but we're trying to make the best of it!

That sounds ideal Bombshell!

I might find out how open the company is to me coming back for fewer days/hours to begin with. They wouldnt allow me to bring baby to work though which is a pity!

Azza I was back at work at around about 14 weeks with both of mine although part-time mind you. First baby was looked after by my SIL and at the time I was very happy with the arrangement which made it so much easier. After having Tane I put both the kids in in-home care which I am even happier with. I don't feel guilty about leaving them knowing that they are having an awesome day and being well cared for. That sounds a great idea going in for fewer hours or days. I reduced my hours as well after having Tane to 20 hours and have just increased back to 25 in the last couple of weeks.

Azza - you may have been reading about my woes in due in Aug thread! I went back very full-time after 6 months with DS, which I found emotionally very difficult.   Practically it wasn't that bad - fortunately I had my own office so could express while I continued working. DH stayed home till DS was 12 months, which was a great arrangement because it meant he bonded really well with DS, we could keep DS out of daycare for a while longer and DH could bring DS by the office for visits and a feed. DS went into fulltime care from 12 months and he loves it!

This time round, I'm getting a lot of pressure from my work to go back at 14 weeks and will be penalised financially pretty heavily if I don't. I have a lot of work friends who have gone back after their PPL and they have told me that it's hard thinking about and tiring to do, but not as bad as they had thought it would be. I'm trying to take longer this time though as this will probably be our last bubba and I just want to be a mummy for a while. It really sucks how we as women have to choose between career and family and it's even harder when finances get in the way.

I really hope you find a solution you are happy with. Bombshell's set-up sounds fantastic! If I could do that, I probably would go back at 14 weeks! GL

I went back to work when Cooper was 6 weeks old but in a very limited capacity, 4 hours a week. He went to my Mum's. I gradually increased hours to 2.5 days a week, and he has one day a week with a PORSE caregiver now, the rest of the time with his Grandma.

I went to work part-time when the girls were about 14 weeks old..but was doing some pretty big hours because it was Christmas and it is at the Warehouse LOL I'm now permanenent there, and my permanent hours are only 11.5 per week, but I usually pick up an extra day or two. All care is shared between MIL, Mum and DH if it's the weekend. It works well most of the time!

im only having 3 weeks off using annual leave, then the 14 weeks PPL, as like you I am the income earner!!

I think my boss is thinking about me working from home, which would be super great, as I can do everything we normally do in the office from home. Fingers crossed!!

I'll have about 6 weeks annual leave, then the 14 weeks PPL, then maybe 1 more month (with no income!) so will probably be back after 6 months....
Not by choice, by financial constriants, I know it's reality, but it's really starting to get me down