Going back to work

You can always make money but your first will never be this small again.

It might not be that easy to extend your leave. If you're thinking about it I'd reach out to your job now. When I had my first, a friend told me it was better to ask for the year and go back earlier, than it was to decide to take longer. That might just be where we work though

If you want to change your return date you must give your employer AT LEAST eight weeks’ notice. You’ll need to speak with them as soon as possible, incase they have a different timeframe in their policy. I took 9 months off with my first. About to start maternity leave with my second and taking a year off - it’ll be a struggle financially but I won’t get this opportunity for time with my little one like this again. If you can do it and it’ll work then I say go for it. Xx

If you can afford to take the year take it. As others have said you’ll never get this time back but can always earn more money later on. I’d speak to work asap though as you’re cutting it fine for the notice period to extend your leave x

I took the year for this reason because we don’t have many outgoings. If you can afford to take the year do it. But even if you decide to quit, I honestly wouldn’t blame you. It’s hard going back and sometimes it’s like is it even worth it? Because where I live, it’s like £700-800 a month for childcare (and I live in a tiny town in the West Midlands so it’s not like it’s even a major city). If the 15 hours free childcare thing didn’t exist, I would’ve never gone back to work

Thank you girls I’ve already messaged them letting them know that I might be changing my mind x

Depends on your situation. Personally, if I could financially afford to, I would stay off for the year. But I can’t, so will be going back at 9 months.