https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:15:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372744 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:57:10 +0000 abmamma 2372744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: I think it takes some dads longer to be attached in the same way. DH became way more attached to LO1 as she got older and is bummed if he works late and doesn't get to see her much. I'm assuming the same will happen with DS. But yesterday when we were talking, he asked what I was going to do on my last day of "freedom" today....different mindset! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372738 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:54:45 +0000 snowjewelz 2372738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww hugs :heart: I was more just anxious about how she's doing! I think it helped that my mom/DH remained to her main caretakers so I didn't have to worry about her being at daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372731 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:46:47 +0000 Alivoo01 2372731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was super sad, but it started even before the day I had to return. Just knowing I had to leave him from the beginning made me sad. You're not alone! *hugs* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372723 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:38:50 +0000 erinbaderin 2372723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was awful. And I cried all the way to work, too, for a week. But it really does get better, you do get used to it, and you'll learn to make the most of the weekends and the after work time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372704 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:23:55 +0000 SweetiePie 2372704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: I went back after a year and I still cried in the bathroom for a week while I was there. I ultimately decided to quit after 6 weeks, but it was mostly because I didn't like the job (it was a new job) and couldn't justify going to a job that made me unhappy instead of being with my son.<br /> That being said, actually leaving him did get easier and easier. And it made the time I did have with him WAY better. I had much more patience and I was completely "there" with him when I was home. So there are definitely some upsides to going back! It will get easier and if you liked your job before I think you'll like the balance of working and momming :-)<br /> Good luck, deep breaths, you'll both do great!</p> <p>PS - yeah, dads definitely don't get it! They go back early, before they become too attached or used to being home caring for them! My husband went back after a week and admits that his life hasn't changed too much since having a kid (besides the obvious). He still gets up and goes to work and has been doing that since the beginning. So he truly doesn't get what it's like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372703 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:22:47 +0000 lilteacherbee 2372703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Omg, I was a mess with LO1 (and I went back at 8 weeks). I think I cried the entire week before I went back. BUT yes, it definitely gets easier!! I actually enjoyed getting a routine in place. Also, it's not for everyone, but my baby and my schedule allowed for a later bedtime. Since he went to bed around 9pm and we got home by 4:30, I felt like I saw him a good amount. </p> <p>Hugs!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372692 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:05:15 +0000 buttermilk 2372692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@abmamma: right? some days he sees her for less than an hour a day and is somehow perfectly okay with it. I would die. He can't possibly get it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372677 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:41:47 +0000 hellobeeboston 2372677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I was. I just held him and cried. It wasn't too bad though and it got easier. Give it a couple weeks and you will get into a routine! Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372670 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:31:16 +0000 abmamma 2372670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: hugs, mama. I'm right there with you! I go back tomorrow and really thought it would be easier with LO2 but it still sucks. I have been teary off and on since last week. You are not alone! And yes, I don't think husbands get it.</p> <p>That said, it does get easier! Tomorrow will be tough but each day after will get a little easier. You got this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372666 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:29:39 +0000 Anya 2372666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs mama :heart: it's not easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372642 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:57:47 +0000 BSB 2372642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I go back to work this Thursday... We'll see how I do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372640 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:56:40 +0000 FaithFertility 2372640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Big big hugs!!!! It will be OK!!!<br /> Maybe try to get everything ready now so you can enjoy your day and evening!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372637 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:51:32 +0000 MrsADS 2372637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk no advice bit hugs mama. I think it's normal to be a wreck. I don't go back til Jan 4 and I feel sick thinking about it. You are such a good mommy to R and that isn't going to change. I am trying to remember that it's going to be hard no matter what but this too shall pass. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/on-your-last-day-of-maternity-leave#post-2372629 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:39:59 +0000 buttermilk 2372629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Were you an emotional wreck? DD is 15 Wks and I'm returning to work tomorrow. I can't even look at her without crying. And DH - I know he understands but not sure he "gets it." He says he can't handle being around all this sadness and keeps trying to cheer me up with "Oh it's not that bad" &amp; "everyone does it." But I'm just a wreck over here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-guys-seen-this#post-2124329 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 13:26:29 +0000 yellowbird 2124329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Adorable!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-guys-seen-this#post-2124309 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 13:07:30 +0000 HLK208 2124309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-guys-seen-this#post-2124304 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 13:03:28 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2124304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lynzybilling/this-is-what-it-looks-like-when-men-are-allowed-to-take-60-d#.fhwzaX19K" rel="nofollow">http://www.buzzfeed.com/lynzybilling/this-is-what-it-looks-like-when-men-are-allowed-to-take-60-d#.fhwzaX19K</a></p> <p>Those pictures are so awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929322 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:24:32 +0000 mlm2934 1929322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He took 2 weeks off. LO ended being in NICU for a week, so we only got one week off as a family of three at home, which sorta was disappointing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929320 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:24:06 +0000 regberadaisy 1929320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He doesn't get leave and just started a new job but his boss was nice enough to let him take a week off and even paid him for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929312 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:20:08 +0000 Adira 1929312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hubs took 4 weeks off and then worked from home twice a week for another 4 weeks. I'm so appreciative of how much time he took off and how present he was in the beginning. &lt;3</p> <p>Hoping he'll take another 4 weeks for baby #2, but I suspect he'll only take 2-3 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929306 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:18:03 +0000 snowjewelz 1929306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The plan is for him to be home 100% the first week, and then we'll go from there since my mom is available to help me. He doesn't have a regular 9-5 office job so in some sense it's more complicated and also more flexible at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929288 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:13:17 +0000 kiddosc 1929288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He got two weeks of parental leave and took an additional two weeks of vacation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929284 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:11:42 +0000 Cherrybee 1929284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He had two weeks paternity leave (one paid, one unpaid) and was also allowed to take two weeks holiday. However, I took a week to be induced so he only had three weeks with us after E was born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929277 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:08:02 +0000 keiki_mama 1929277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For LO1 he took six weeks off and LO2 two weeks off. He didn't take all that time off consecutively. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929273 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:07:01 +0000 LuLu Mom 1929273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last time he took a week off, this time he's hoping to swing the same if not 2 weeks. It sucked that last time we were in the NICU the whole time &amp; when we got home he was back at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929267 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:03:45 +0000 mrsjazz 1929267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He took off a week (after we got home from the hospital). A total of 2 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929261 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:02:02 +0000 plantains 1929261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We timed it so DD was born right before summer vacation started (DH is a teacher) so he was home with me for 12 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929256 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:59:51 +0000 lilyann 1929256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He took off 1 week for each baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929251 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:57:27 +0000 fairy 1929251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband actually got no time off - his requests were denied even though he had the time to take. Luckily he had the option of working from home and my daughter was born on a Friday so he had the weekend off anyway. Got home from the hospital Sunday and he had to work Monday. Needless to say, he was not happy with that employer and ended up taking a new MUCH more family-friendly job one month later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-was-your-sospouses-parental-leave#post-1929226 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:50:03 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1929226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got home from the hospital on Friday and he was back at work Monday. It sucked. </p>