I need fellow teachers to weigh in on my maternity leave options.

I had my LO a couple of weeks before school let out. My plan is to take some time off in the fall so I have more time with LO. Originally I planned on starting the year for the first few weeks to get the kids used to my routine, then leaving for 6 weeks, returning near the end of 1st quarter. Many teachers have done this at our school in the past and it has worked well for them.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I found out that another teacher in my house (there are 4 of us) will be out the first couple months of the year as well. That would mean two of us would be off at the beginning of the year. This makes me especially nervous because our incoming group is rough behaviorally.

Now I'm considering delaying my maternity leave, and instead of taking off in September, waiting to take off until the first teacher returns. Basically she would return and then I would leave. This would give me the benefit of being off over the holidays.

I worry that two of us being off in the beginning of the year will create the type of chaos that will be hard to overcome, making it a long, rough year. I also worry that leaving right away in the year will make it much harder for me when dealing with behaviors upon my return. I feel like if I'm there an entire quarter before I leave, at least the kids will know me, have a relationship with me, and will adjust better when I come back.

I would prefer to be off earlier, but I'm seriously considering whether that's worth the struggle later on. Is it worth it to have that time off early if I spend the rest of the year playing catch up? If this group weren't so rough, and if we didn't have someone else out as well, I don't think I'd be considering this.

So, teachers, knowing this, what would you do and why?

Btw, administration is very supportive of whatever I choose, and my sub is fine covering me whenever, so those factors don't weigh in. There will be no issues with childcare either.