working after baby has arrived?
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2602
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Topic: working after baby has arrived?
Posted By: Syd
Subject: working after baby has arrived?
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:16pm
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Hi Ladies, just wondering what everyone is up do after bubs arrives? I have a small business that I run from home parttime and also am employed part-time. I am planning on giving up the employed work and concentrating fully on my business after bubs arrives. My only worry is in reality how hard will be to continue the business from home with a baby? I'm trying to work out what childcare I will need if any and how much? I given myself three months off from the business after the birth but when I start up again it will be summer and my busy time. Does anyone else have any experience/advice with this sort of thing?! And what are other people up to? Its good to get other opinions!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:20pm
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I'll be on a years maternity leave but whether or not I acutally go back is up for debate. If we can manage on one income then great I won't go back. I can't see myself wanting to.
I'd love to find something I could do from home.  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Millie1976
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:22pm
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I am taking 12 months maternity leave also and within that time I will decide on whether or not to go back to work. Possibly not as we are wanting to have two children quite close in age.
Like you Paws I would also like to find something to do from home and earn my own money as I am going to feel guilty spending my husband's money as I am so used to getting my own pay packet  ------------- Sebastien 2 years old Olivier 3 3/4 years old |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:24pm
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Yeah we probably won't be putting off trying for number 2 either. And with 2 youngsters it seems pointless working full time if most of it would go to daycare!
------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mrs frantic
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:29pm
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I am going to take 4 months maternity leave - one before and three after, I am just about to start a new venture taht I can do from home, and by the time my maternity leave finishes I will have been doing it for about 6 - 7 months. If it is working by the time I sais I would go back then I will stay at home, but if it looks like it is miles away from working I will have to go back to work for a while just to get cash flow going again...I am going to try my hardest to make this home business work so taht I can stay at home, but at the end of the day it's all down to cash flow unfortunatley! ------------- Mrs Frantic Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006 http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: emeldee
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:31pm
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When I started maternity leave, I thought I would be back at work within four months....now it is 15 months since I finished.....
We decided to go for trying to have two close together in age - and here we are - 22 odd weeks preggers with Andrew turning one on Saturday. It's starting to get scary now! ------------- |
Posted By: Syd
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:31pm
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Do you think its feasable to work from home and still not need any extra daycare/nanny? I'm the same, its does all seem a bit pointless if you end up spending most of your earnings on childcare, although I know my work will require about 20 hours a week of my time. I just don't want it all be at night so I don't see the hubby anymore :( I suppose it all depends on what your baby is like aye? Saturdays are sussed as I have a very enthusiastic nanna round the corner, and hubby sometime sget Saturdays off. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Syd
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:35pm
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just read you post mrs fantic and that is pretty my plan too. My business gives me a part time income at the mo, but really need to crank it up over the next year while I take my extended leave from my part time job. If all goes to plan I can just stay working from home. Its really important for me to work for myself as I want to be able to take the kids to school and be there for them after school. fingers crossed!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Syd
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:36pm
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oh and good luck with it!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ErinC
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:52pm
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Hi
Im having just over 4 months off. My husband works from home so plans to do that and look after the baby as well after I go back to work. Realistically, though I dont see that working too well, and am already looking at some other options. I think I will probably work from home 1 day or 2 half days, and we have an aunty who is very keen to have him one day a week. My husband has clients that come to the house and meetings etc, so if he has the baby full time, I think he will be run of his feet and not able to do justice to either. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/"> 
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Posted By: Syd
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 3:58pm
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umm.... that was my worry too?! What other options are you looking at? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:01pm
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Hi there, it really depends on what kind of work you do & if you will be able to drop everything if necessary to sort bubs.
I was milking cows which only required me to work a couple of hours in the morning & a couple of hours in the afternoon so I managed to tweak my boy's naptimes to suit & he would quite happily sleep in his pram in the dairy where he was safe. I started milking cows when he was about 2-3 weeks old & now he is 19 months old. I very rarely had any problems but if I need to sort him out then I dropped my work. If I had to pay for childcare then it would have been pointless working. The only thing I can suggest is maybe start back up before you get into your busy season so you can ease into it & see if it will work. ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: ErinC
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:02pm
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my work is pretty good and my boss has suggested me working from home some of the week. Cant imagine Ill be doing much work :). Also my husbands sister is a sahm and my Aunty is keen to look after him one day a week - so really Im just looking at ways that my husband can continue with his business, but also avoiding daycare, for as long as we can. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/">
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Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:08pm
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I can't work much now, so when baby arrives I expect looking after her to take up all my energy, so won't be continuing employment. If my health picked up, and I end up feeling too housebound or unstimulated, I'd consider a few hours a week work or volunteering somewhere. I can understand the reluctance to give up earning any of the household pinga's and leave your hubby/partner to earn the lot... it's a HUGE change! Not only less money, but it changes your relationship. We encountered it earlier than expected, and you just have to be prepared to review how your finances work and what goes where and whose responsible for what, and the magic word: communicate about where you're at with adjusting to it. 'Cause it's a biggie but will only make you stronger if it doesn't kill you!! Hope I don't sound like I'm pushing for mums to stay at home... regardless of whatever my plans are, I'm not trying to convert anyone!! It's just that I don't know what it's like to return to work so can't comment! ------------- Andie |
Posted By: Syd
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:10pm
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That sounds like a good plan, getting the sleeps to work in with you as well?! I'm lucky in that I could just drop what I'm doing if need be except whan I'm out on a job, whoch is mostly weekends anyway, in which case nana has already offered her services. Toni, does your boy still sleep for those two two hour stints when you need him to at 19 months? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:18pm
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Hi Syd, unfortunately no he doesn't sleep in two lots now he just has one sleep for about 3-4 hours.
But he is quite independant & I get him playing with his toys & have snacks & drink ready for him when I need to get stuff done. It is definitely do-able its just a matter of being a little organised & having a flexible routine. I hope that helps?  ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: mrs frantic
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:21pm
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Yeah Syd it sounds like we are in similar situations! The reality is I need to earn a set amount of money, we have financial commitments so I figure if I can manage it at home taht will be great, but if not I dont see that I will have much choice but to go back to work...but I am pretty confident I can make it work - if I get too busy and I can afford it I will probably get someone in to do the housework a couple of times a week - that way if I am runnign around doing work and looking after baby at least I will know that the cleaning is done, thats one strategy to make it work at home...but like I said only if we can afford it. Ideally my grand master plan is to grow my business to the point where I can afford someone to come in in teh mornings to watch bubs so I can get out and meet clients, do stuff etc, and then I can be home in teh afternoons. MOst of my actual "work" is on a computor so I can do that at whatever hour suits really, if baby is awake through the night I can sit up and work, and it wont matter too much if I sleep later the next day...
but it will be tough...and good luck to you too ofcourse...you shoudl keep me updated on how you are going and I will do teh same, we can share strategies for coping with work and baby at home  ------------- Mrs Frantic Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006 http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ErinC
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:24pm
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dont forget to share your stragegies online - then I can pass them along to my hubby! ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/">
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Posted By: Syd
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 4:42pm
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Sounds like a good plan will defiantly have to share strategies!! I've just noticed our bubs are due around the same time - and this is also your first. It will be a big learning curve for us then!! And for you Erin and your hubby!
I like the idea of a someone to do the housework!!! Like you most of my work is computer based during the week, then I meet clients and have my 'definatly no baby interuptions' jobs at the weekend. (I'm a wedding portrait photographer in case you were wondering!) I have an assiatnt who works with me on jobs who keen for more work, so If I find I get more than I can manage alone that should work for her also. She is also a mum so need flexibility as well. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lenabeanz
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 5:32pm
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I haven't read ALL of the posts but was just thinking, if you need to do some "hard" work that you need to concentrate on is it worth putting baby in daycare for a morning a week / fortnight? Gives them other kids to play with (Social skills) and you a break...
------------- http://www.snugglepie.com"> 
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 7:57pm
| I had five months off but have access to my work computer from home. I am also a part owner of a business so tried to keep in contact with whats happening. When Alex was a baby it was easy as he slept most of the time but as he grew he was awake longer and wanted more attention. It came to the stage where I wasn't giving Alex full attention and work was suffering so whichever way I went I felt guilty. Alex is now in creche 4 days a week and I've gone back to work and its much better....I get to concentrate on work 100% at work but when I'm at home I get to have fun with Alex. I think it sounds easy working from home with babies and toddlers but in reality I don't think it is that easy. |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 8:05pm
I am doing a bit of work from home - its either computer work which I do while Hannah sleeps or we are out showing people the products/doing parties so she comes with me. It is definitely do-able. I think the key is prob getting your bub into a good routine with regular sleeps from early on so you know where you are and what time you can allocate to work each day. Taking three months out at the start is a good idea as it takes a couple of months to come out of the fog of having a newborn and get yourselves started. Good luck  ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 25 May 2006 at 8:46pm
| I worked from home for a while but it was to hard once Kobe was a toddler and needed more time. I had to phone clients and take calls and thats not practical when you are in the middle of changing a dirty nappy or whatever. Creche is a good idea |
Posted By: ErinC
Date Posted: 26 May 2006 at 8:23am
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Syd,
I used to be an assistant wedding photographer, waaaay back when I was at Uni. I loved it. Going to all those weddings and watching all the family dramas, etc. It was great. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/">
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Posted By: Gracielou
Date Posted: 26 May 2006 at 8:47am
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I work part time from home. I started when Jaz was 4 months old, and managed to work 26 hours the first week, but wouldn't recommend it as most of that was achieved in the evenings. Earlier when Jaz had 2 sleeps in the day was great, but now she is 16 months and isn't sleeping much during the day, only 1 hr max, it gets a bit more tricky, but she can entertain herself.
From 13 months old she has been going to creche 2 half days a week, but I find that by the time I take her there and get home I only have 1 hr before I need to pick her up again, but shes normally tired afterwards and needs a sleep. I think that I still spend enough time with Jaz, and I feel better in myself when I work, so its working for me. The housework does suffer though, so a cleaner would be a great idea. ------------- 
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Posted By: mrs frantic
Date Posted: 26 May 2006 at 4:00pm
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Yeah I think that what the others have nentioned here might happen - as baby gets older and is awake more I might need to look at daycare etc - but thats ok I am fine with that - the way I see it if I had to come back to my job it woudl be at about 3 months, and tahts pretty hard to put a baby in day care at that age. But if I have to I will. But if I can keep baby at home for a bit longer by workign from homew then that would be great - I am sure the time will come where daycare or a nanny will be necessary no matter where I work from - I am just using thsi as a strtegy to hold taht off as long as possible.
YES SYD we should definately share our experiences! And we are close in date arent we! And I will doing photography too but more commercial photography for marketing purposes, quite different to weddings! So wow - heaps of similarities there!where are you based? ------------- Mrs Frantic Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006 http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Gracielou
Date Posted: 26 May 2006 at 6:32pm
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You'll probably find that at some time between 1 and 2 years old, bubs will need to go to some sort of daycare for the social side. I didn't put Jaz in creche so I could work, that was a bonus though, it was because she needed to learn to play with others and have a break from me, he he he. -------------
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Posted By: Syd
Date Posted: 28 May 2006 at 10:09am
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That all sounds good - I'm quite happy to put bubs into daycare as it they get older and need the social interaction. I was concerned about a tiny bay in daycare for a large amount of time, but I think even with a few mornings a week in daycare, once they get a bit older might work well, and hopefully like the others siad they will needa sleep by the time they home. I'm sure it will be do-able, I suppose I'll have to get organised and really work at getting bubs into a good routine. Thanks heaps for all your advice ladies - If you have any other little gems to share let us know!!!
Hey Mrs Frantic, commercual work will be great - just go for it, you've got nothing to lose. I do a wee bit of commercial work when asked but I don't push it as yet. I've been really happy how my business have been progressing, and I'm hoping that I can grow in line with the family - once the kids go to school I hope it will be full time for both me and my assistant. Thats a few years away yet as this is our first and we want at least two! I'm based down in Martinborough - what about you? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mrs frantic
Date Posted: 29 May 2006 at 10:04am
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Based in Auckland - thre is heaps of work here for that sort of stuff so I am lucky from that point of view.
And I also agree about teh social interaction at daycare - i think it's great for bubs to get out there and play with other kiddies to learn how to interact I am definately in favour of it from about a year upwards! I will use daycare if I absolutley have to before that stage but am hoping not to have to! ------------- Mrs Frantic Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006 http://lilypie.com">
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