https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 08:53:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48/page/2#post-1746745 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 22:12:54 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: We just have to return with one full calendar year to maintain our current assignment. Past that point you still have a job in the district but the site is for them to decide. Most likely, I would not need a LOA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48/page/2#post-1746741 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 22:08:58 +0000 matador84 1746741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: are you guaranteed your job back though? It's the same in my district, but no guarantee job will be there when you return from a LOA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48/page/2#post-1746737 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 22:04:01 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: The way it works in our district is: </p> <p>sick leave--&gt; 6 week maternity leave--&gt; 12 week differential--&gt; 12 week FMLA--&gt; Leave of Absence</p> <p>Also, my time off would include the summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48/page/2#post-1746715 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:51:28 +0000 matador84 1746715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read pp, so I could have missed this-I did something similar this year. However, using FMLA only allows for up to 12 weeks of time off...were you planning on taking more? I had a feb baby this year, used my pto days first, once I depleted those, my days were unpaid (docked off my check)--but I wasn't allowed more than 12 weeks off per FMLA. I came back to work after 10 weeks and had one month left in the year, the baby was 10 weeks old, went to daycare for a month and then I had the summer off. It has been GREAT. I go back in August and she'll be almost 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48/page/2#post-1746713 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:51:20 +0000 Pancakes 1746713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: It's really a tough call, and I don't think there's really a wrong answer. I do think it will be harder to go back in the middle of the year. I don't know what kind of sub your district will have for you (and it's not really your problem, but kind of it is!) but the sub I had (that I had to find myself) really didn't do a good job and that made it even harder to go back, because the students were so lost/behind (and I was only out 7 weeks). But I also didn't teach a core subject, so finding a qualified sub in my field was nearly impossible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48/page/2#post-1746703 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:44:03 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: I completely agree. I definitely have a luxury with the flexibility. As far as I know, I can just see how maternity leave and summer goes and see from there. I will have to double check for sure, though. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746699 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:41:24 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: This has totally crossed my mind. I would much rather start in January vs mid semester and at least there is a bit of a clean slate. It does, however, freak me out to think I will have students that I don't meet and I will not know if the classroom is being properly run. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746666 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:18:25 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1746666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, could you leave this open ended and see how it goes? You may find you are ready to go back at six months? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746664 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:16:33 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1746664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As someone who is SAH and who is also fed up with being a homeowner to the point that I actually just accepted a lowball offer to get rid of it...I say do what feels right to you! Don't listen to any of us. This is a win-win so go with your gut. I haven't read the responses, but there are so few jobs that allow this sorts of flexibility; if it wouldn't mess up your job situation I would go for it, it is a perk so few women have! If you don't down deep in your soul want a house then it really won't impact your experience as a parent. I don't think is has impacted my experience in a positive way whatsoever. But if you really want to be settled somewhere that could factor into your feelings. Can you fast track saving for a down payment after you get back to work? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746649 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:04:45 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1746649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd go back in the fall for a few reasons 1) the house aspect, 2) the savings (I took 3 months off, unpaid and it cost a LOT), 3) I would rather start the year with my students, instead of January. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746234 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:55:26 +0000 yoursilverlining 1746234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry if someone has already asked this, but is there any option to rent a larger place for a year and then decide? I wouldn't take the additional time if it meant depleting savings; houses are almost always more expensive than you think they will be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746200 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:23:46 +0000 Katrocap 1746200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: That's great that you can take up to a year off and return to your exact position. In my district you can take up to three years off total, but you aren't guaranteed your exact position regardless of when you return - it's up to your principal. I'm lucky that even though I took so much time off I returned to the same job. Good luck with your decision - I know it's a difficult one! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746191 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:19:02 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: That's very true. The baby would be home with us around 3pm each day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746185 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:16:04 +0000 Mamasig 1746185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted stay home because I think of those months as time with my baby I can't get back. I'm only able to take 12 weeks. I wish I could do longer! A house is something that can wait for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746178 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:11:52 +0000 regberadaisy 1746178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were you I would go back in fall of 2016. Not as much because of buying a house but more because I wouldn't want to deplete my savings. </p> <p>Also if you look back on the boards a lot of first-time moms who work out of the home feel that 6 months is a very ideal time to be home with baby before going back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746172 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:06:42 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: My mom would watch the baby for two days a week and then my friend who is a SAHM looking to make some extra $ would watch the other three days. Both said they would be willing to accommodate each other when needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746168 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:04:33 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: Yes, I totally love our location! We four houses away from one of the nicest parks in town and a walking trail but it is just the house itself that drives me bonkers. DH wants us to start looking when we are *thinking* of having LO #2. Considering I am only 6 weeks week along with #1, that seems like ages from now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746164 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:01:05 +0000 lawbee11 1746164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go back earlier and buy the house. I went back to work at 6 months PP and I actually felt it was a great time to go back--LO didn't have stranger or separation anxiety yet so leaving her at daycare wasn't an issue. I also don't know if your LO will be in daycare, but I'd rather my LO start daycare in August than in the middle of cold &amp; flu season. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746162 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:00:55 +0000 birdofafeather 1746162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we live in a small place, but i love our location! i WAH and it's tight, but we make it work. that being said, if i couldn't stand where we lived, being there at home with a baby would drive me even crazier! i would much rather give up a couple months at a home i hate (which sounds like it would turn into 2 more years) to be in a place where i enjoy coming home from work to with the baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746161 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:59:52 +0000 deactivated_account 1746161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I'd go back to work. As it is, your teacher work schedule is so very accommodating to being a parent. I have so many teachers in my family so I see it both ways. If you are so close to your goal of purchasing a home that you want, it would suck to fall behind on that goal. </p> <p>Are you on a traditional or year round schedule? It seems like you teachers have vacations popping up all the time! And you get home so early in the day to enjoy all your at-homeness. That's just my thoughts! Good luck either way!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746147 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:52:50 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: We wouldn't be able to buy a house right this second, but perhaps the summer after the baby is born (mostly for convenience.)</p> <p>ETA: We could conceivably buy a house this winter, but it seems a little strained to in the middle of the school year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746143 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:49:48 +0000 deactivated_account 1746143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: If you don't take the additional time off, do you have enough money saved to buy a new house right now? I would hate for you to spend your hard-saved home downpayment if you didn't have to. Down payments are so hard to save up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746140 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:46:23 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Katrocap: Great suggestions. We can take up to one year off at still maintain our job position (thats from day 1 of maternity leave until when you start back.) After that point, you will maintain a job somewhere within the district but not necessarily your previous position. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746136 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:43:50 +0000 winniebee 1746136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had 5.5 months off with my son and it was great. I felt he was old enough for me to go back to work and go to daycare. So, I would go back in September and move on your new home more quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746135 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:43:50 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: Our differential pay is for 12 weeks. It's really what makes me consider this. In the end, with my pay, I would pocket about 1,000 bucks a month, but that's not bad for not working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746134 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:42:36 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I know, that's definitely tempting! Luckily, my mom will watch baby for two days a week and a family friend who is a SAHM will watch the other three. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746133 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:42:12 +0000 Katrocap 1746133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anagram: @swedishfish: In my district we can take up to three years off, unpaid of course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746130 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:41:06 +0000 swedishfish 1746130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I'm loving the differential pay though. I wish New York had that.</p> <p>@Anagram: I can take up to two school years per child as well in New York but it would be unpaid. We definitely can't afford that, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746129 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:41:00 +0000 Katrocap 1746129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with the house. I was in a similar situation regarding timing last year. I'm a teacher and gave birth January 4 and didn't go back to school after Christmas break. I took off from Christmas break until the beginning of the next school year, so I had 8 full months at home with DS. It was wonderful. Returning to school was difficult, and balancing baby and work has been a challenge, but it's been worth it. I love teaching, I love my students and enjoy being around other people. Although I wax romantic about staying home with DS, being a SAHM isn't for me.</p> <p>If you go back in the fall, your LO will be about 5.5 months old. That's a good time to start daycare. It all depends on your personality, but if you like your job, I'd say buy the house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-48#post-1746125 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:38:46 +0000 simplyfelicity 1746125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: That's a wonderful suggestion. Surely, they are used to teachers changing their minds. </p>