[bungomama]

I'm currently in a p/t contract role which ends in July; I'm expecting my first baby in October. My manager has said that if I'd like to take on another 12-month contract (including 14 weeks paid parental leave), I can do my job from from home for the equivelent of 2 days per week, allowing me to stay home with bubs and maintain a small income, which would be very helpful since DH's salary is not huge. The catch is that I'd have to start work again after 14 weeks.

I like my job and being able to work from home and still bring in a bit of cash is very tempting, but from everything I've heard about looking after a baby (esp. your first), I'm worried that 3 months is too soon to go back, for both me and bubs.

What do you think?

[MahnaMahna]

2 days per week as in 16+ hours, I probably wouldn't.

However I have always done 10-12 hours per week and only took a week or two off when I had my kids. I do most of the work of the evening when DH can manage the kids or they are in bed.

It is a difficult one as he wants to sign you a contract, so if you say yes there is not really a way to get out of it if you find it too hard. Perhaps you could add a clause to the contract for a trial period?

[roses99]

For me, it would have actually been easier at three months than at age two.

But it will depend very much on your baby, how much sleep you're getting, how well you're coping etc. And those are all pretty unknown variables!

However, if you have a partner who is in a position to help you and if you have some support networks in place, then I would definitely do it.

In my case, I did 20 hours a week (11 of them from home) starting when my DD was 6 months. It worked out very well, but she was a great little sleeper.

[laridae]

I think at that age its not that hard to work at home and look after a bub - you can work while they sleep and they sleep a lot.


Its more difficult when they get older and become more demanding on your time, so you feel a little guilty ignoring them when you work (which is why I don't like working from home if DD is sick).

This post has been edited by laridae: 11/04/2012, 04:41 PM

[Tikiboo16]

Big decision, but if it's from home, and your boss is flexible (ie: understanding that you are also managing a kid and may not be available at the drop of a hat) I would do it. I actually found myself wanting to fill in my spare time while DD was sleeping at that age... and I would have jumped at an opportunity like that.

[Xiola]

Yeah for sure I would do it. I work from home and was pretty much back into it when DD was a week old....much easier then than now

[discomonkey]

I did this with my first and it worked well for me. I did have a nanny come and look after DD at home though so I could still BF and settle her if required. It's a great option but only if you're ready, which of course you don't know yet!

It is good to know where your next contract is coming from, and the option to work from home doesn't come up all that often. If it was me I would do it, but only if I had help w the baby. I certainly wouldn't try to fit the work around naps and at night - that is a sure path to exhaustion!

Good luck w your decision.

[Goggie]

I think I would, especially for the paid mat leave!
But honestly, it sounds you have a great boss who will be flexible, and you can choose how to work those hours (eg 4 hours a day, 4 days a week or longer days 2-3 days per week. For the job security and cash flow it would give you, I'd do it. But take this from someone expecting baby number 1 with no idea how it would actually be like with a 3 month old:)

[amabanana]

If you have a lovely content baby who sleeps well and a supportive DH or other helper then it sounds great.
If you have a refluxy baby or one who doesn't settle well or has any issues or illness or you get PND then it could be very difficult.
What happens if you sign the contract and pull out if things are too much?

Best of luck!

[White-Lily]

I would have done it. DD was a great sleeper and it would have been nice to have something else to do with my time other than housework.
I wouldn't like to be pigeon holed into specific days/time slots if I was working from home though, just in case bub is unsettled on a 'work day' or doesn't sleep. I would like to be able to make up hours at night if need be or on alternate days than what was scheduled.

As baby gets old it gets harder. So flexibiltiy down the track would need to be a must and understood by all parties.