https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 03:05:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056370 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 18:47:13 +0000 katsupgirl 2056370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: I was seriously paranoid about that too! Part of my decision making to start my leave early. Both options are super sweet deals. You can do the Fridays and then still have the option to take more days if needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056148 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:03:27 +0000 .twist. 2056148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: wow! All my shit was pro-rated. It sucked. I had zero days coming back to work which is why I was happy to save a few. Sounds like you've got a pretty sweet deal! I'd switch to 4 day work weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056128 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:46:13 +0000 loki 2056128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: when i get back my vacation days will be full again... so another 17 days to use from April-December. But I definitely do want to find out if they will in fact let me carry any unused ones over... because 17 isn't all that many, especially with a little one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056120 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:42:41 +0000 .twist. 2056120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well. I would do something a little different. Do you know if everything is prorated? Are you going to have any time available when you get back in a year? I know it's so tempting to use them now but... I would (and I did!) save some days for when you get back. What if you need a day off unexpectedly? </p> <p>I would carry them over and just hold onto them. Even if you just need a break and want a day because you miss your LO? You'd be able to do it. You may have a solution for this already but just another thought! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056109 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:39:18 +0000 loki 2056109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@katsupgirl: haha ya i was totally joking. i wouldn't be opposed to an early baby. i just really don't want my water to break on the train! haha. i'll still have the week off before to prep and my mom is going to come help me do any last minute cleaning/laundry/food prep so that will be nice. i feel like taking fridays will give me the best of both worlds!</p> <p>@Circusbee: oh that's nice! it sucks now but in a couple of weeks you'll probably be glad you still have those vacation days and you can get in a few more days with the baby :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056082 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:31:02 +0000 Circusbee 2056082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: Thanks! I think with my situation it was partially my own guilt about it anyway. I also wanted it to be flexible and be able to say on a Thursday, "nevermind, I have a lot of work to do, so I will not be taking my vacation day tomorrow," and they wanted me to commit to the days I was asking for... that's why I ultimately decided to just stick it out. That said, I'm in the US anyway, so waiting to use those days until the end of my 12 week mat leave is another option for me that I'm not upset about. Good luck to you! I think either way you will get some extra rest, and that will be so nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056079 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:29:43 +0000 katsupgirl 2056079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took vacation time before my leave started because I wasn't feeling too terrible and used that time to get the house in order and mentally prepare. I'm a homebody so I knew I wouldn't be bored. I also got my hair done which was nice for hospital pictures. </p> <p>My office let me do 4 day work weeks for 3 months when I came back. That was really nice way to ease back into everything. </p> <p>Lastly, babies are notoriously uncooperative so if you're planning on the baby arriving late he/she will probably arrive early. I got an early one. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056053 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:18:49 +0000 loki 2056053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Circusbee: haha i totally will be symptom spotting! ya i'm definitely going to approach my boss and see what she thinks. she's pretty laid back so i can't see her having a problem with it but i will see what she would like me to do before i ask for the time off! that's too bad your company wasn't on board :( good luck with the next few weeks, i hope everything goes great for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2056018 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:56:18 +0000 Circusbee 2056018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, what a nice problem to have! If I were you, I think I would take all the Fridays. I hesitate because 1. you may get bored if you are home for 3-4 weeks before actually having the baby, and drive yourself crazy labor symptom-spotting (I am 38+ weeks now and crazy labor symptom-spotting and I'm still working full time) but 2. I attempted to take Fridays off for my last few weeks of work and ended up not because my company didn't really like the idea. So I think part of your decision should be how you think your company/boss will react to either option and whether or not you really care what they think. Just my 2 cents :happy: Enjoy your time off either way!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055925 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:09:25 +0000 loki 2055925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: what do u mean you accrue vacation during top up?i don't get my top up until after my mat leave starts getting paid out, usually 2 weeks after the baby is born, from my understanding.</p> <p>@plantains: i'll definitely have a week off before my due date. if i don't do the fridays off, i will have 2 full weeks. and then baby might be late so i would have even more. because i'm already going to have the week off, i am leaning more towards the long weekends! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055913 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:03:22 +0000 plantains 2055913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: I would do a combination, get the 3 day weekend but also have a week to yourself before the baby comes. I actually think it is nice to have a week sans newborn to do nothing but nest and go out for late lazy dinners with DH. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055898 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:54:37 +0000 Freckles 2055898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: if you have a no carry forward policy they probably won't allow you to carry forward and you will actually get your remaining vacation paid out when you start your leave. Also, remember that you accrue vacation during your top up! I was taking days off every other week leading up to my mat leave and there were no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055872 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:44:07 +0000 lawbee11 2055872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: Got it. Then I'd definitely go that route! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055864 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:42:03 +0000 loki 2055864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: ya i don't think anyone would bat an eye here... they're my vacation days i'm entitled to use so i don't think it would bother anyone. and me being off on fridays doesn't affect anyone else's workload. part of the reason i don't want to just leave early is because it would kind of make the transition harder on my coworkers... i want to be in the office at the end of march to help with month end stuff... so hopefully they appreciate that, at least! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055856 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:39:18 +0000 lawbee11 2055856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do 4-day work weeks as long as you don't think it'll look bad to your boss/co-workers. I'd be worried about my co-workers being miffed that I'm taking time off leading up to a 1-year mat leave, but I know in the US it's a totally different ballgame. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055853 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:38:20 +0000 jetsa 2055853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well I'm biased but I switched to 4 day work weeks at about that same point and I love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055849 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:37:03 +0000 loki 2055849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: it's heartbreaking and ridiculously unfair. my friends both had babies in september and i was with them on the weekend and thinking about how if their moms were American, they'd already be back at work and the babes would be in daycare. i hate that, i feel so sorry for you guys :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055836 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:33:58 +0000 NeekieRose 2055836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd definitely do the 4 day work weeks. That sounds so nice.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055827 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:30:37 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2055827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: It really is infuriating the way the US handles maternity leave. My SIL was just asking me about hers since she's going out in April (or late March) with her first, and she's 2 months shy of being with her company for a year. So her job isn't protected under FMLA. They essentially let her go until she decides to return and then rehire her. She can also be replaced during that time if they wanted. Just sad...she's a hard working RN in hospice and cares so much about her patients. The US maternity policies are a joke. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055808 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:24:08 +0000 loki 2055808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tinyperson: oh wow i just totally assumed normal protocol applied. i'll have to look into that. it would be niiiice to extend my mat leave. but i'm also feeling pretty rough these days so i think some pre baby time off might be good... </p> <p>@2PeasinaPod: i know i was literally just thinking about you guys this morning. we're really fortunate! </p> <p>@Chillybear: great thinking! i think that's what i'll do. i definitely wanna get my hair and nails done pre baby so i don't look super rough in all her newborn photos! haha. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: i'm going to leave early regardless i think so apr 2 will be my last day and apr 9 is my due date. so i'll have a week which will be nice. i'm planning on her being a week late so i'll have two full weeks. we all know how cooperative babies are about their births ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055792 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:17:15 +0000 tinyperson 2055792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: I'm in Canada too. Are you sure they won't carry over? Ordinarily, our vacation days don't carry over, but in the case of a leave (whatever kind), any you had when you went on leave carry over, and you accrue vacation while you're off. I would double check that - I used my vacation to take an extra month or so off at the end of my mat leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055788 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:16:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 2055788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: since I see you get a year off anyway, I vote combo- take one week off before due date and take the five Friday's before that off. </p> <p>I had two weeks off before my due date (company policy, didn't affect my paid time after) and I have to tell you, it was amazing. I was fully aware that it was my last chance to just do whatever the hell I felt like for another 18 years or so, and I took advantage without guilt. Take a nap? Sure. Watch a cheesey movie on HBO? Why not? Cook up a bunch of freezer meals? Great! It was also really nice to know the actual date I was leaving work instead of wondering if every day was going to be the last one. Baby was born the day before her due date but I was actually in no rush since the last two weeks were so relaxing. But I wasn't someone who went crazy without working or whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055785 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:15:08 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2055785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: So jealous of you Canadian bees :heart: </p> <p>I think I'd opt for every Friday. That way, you're stretching it out and it won't seem like you're just waiting around for baby. Take those days to get the house in order, get a mani/pedi (which, BTW, I'm convinced sent me into labor), get your hair done...do fun things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055784 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:14:57 +0000 Chillybear 2055784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two weeks home by myself just sitting around waiting for baby would make me very bored.... i opt to do option 2 and schedule some things you wont be able to do once baby arrives (Lunch with friends, buying last minute baby items, pedicure, hair appt, or even doctor visits) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055781 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:13:23 +0000 loki 2055781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: oh that's really smart. could squeeze in a couple 4 day weekends closer to the end! maybe i will wait until end of feb to start taking fridays off. great suggestion! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055776 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:12:11 +0000 loki 2055776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Banana330: i thought about doing that too... if i used them that way it would make march 30 my last day, which isn't bad. the commute is just killing me lately so i'd love to have shorter work weeks... makes it pretty appealing right now! </p> <p>@blackbird: when I get back next April I'll have a fresh 3 weeks to pull from, thankfully! but yes working from home sounds like a dream. i might try to push for that near the end since i can totally do my job remotely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055773 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:10:14 +0000 catlady 2055773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably do the Friday off thing, but I would wait a few weeks to start so that you have a few extra days off available for when you are closer to your due date. I remember feeling pretty bad in the final weeks so you might want more than just a Friday off at that point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055770 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:09:53 +0000 regberadaisy 2055770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>same question as @2PeasinaPod: . My maternity leaves were not paid in full so I would opt to extend my maternity leave.</p> <p>If I had to use it before hand I would vote for 3 day weekends as well. That last month you will be *tired*!</p> <p>ETA: um. definitely 3 day weekends then!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055769 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:09:26 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2055769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: got it. 3 day weekends! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-pre-mat-leave-what-would-you-do#post-2055768 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:09:09 +0000 blackbird 2055768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i worked from home exclusively weeks 39 and 40. and it was awesome. I'd probably take off every other friday and save some of that vacation time for when I return. I was MORE burnt out when i came back and ended up taking a day to myself or half a day to recharge my own batteries because coming back to work with a 3 month old was just mentally exhausting. So i would save some of the vacation time</p> <p>NEVERMIND! Just saw you're Canadian. i'd probably drop to a reduced workweek then. Having two weeks off at home full time would've bored the crap outta me </p>