How much time to take off for Maternity leave?

[playfelt]

Looking at the world from your own two year olds eyes you might also want to disrupt their life as little as possible which means not a great deal of time off or your child will go from being entertained by all their friends and a set routine to just "hanging around" while everyone rushes to do baby things or sits to rest and does nothing - not fun for a toddler and that is more likely to lead to issues for them. You said hubby would be there and mil part of the time.

Only you can decide really how much time you think you need. Is it possible that you will have less ppd issues if there are more things needing your attention or does all the demands from extra people make it worse? That may for sure influence your decision.

Anything more than a couple weeks to a month and expect children to get used to their new temporary daycare and plan to stay there instead of returning. Which is another option - to actually close when your baby is born and then when you are feeling better and got the new routine set you can advertise and start again.

[Sassygirl]

Thanks! At first I was thinking oh I will just take 1 week but Playfelt you are right... I worry about my toddler becoming used to being entertained and then having to start the whole transitioning him to get used to kids coming to our home for daycare again. I was going back and forth with closing for 6 months then re opening with all new families but then there is all that mess of interviewing... bleh!
So I think I will get my plan in place and take 2 weeks. I will put out a notice in the next couple of weeks giving the news, asking for updated emergency contacts (I went into labour at 35 weeks with my youngest so its quite possible that may happen again). I will give the option for my Doctor's appts (thankfully now its with my GP who has evening appts but soon enough will be with the OB who is only 9-4) if they want me to book them during naps and my MIL can stay with them while they sleep OR if they want me to have them pick up early.
I will also mention that my husband will be home to assist me but I will be doing all the main things such as the programming, diaper changes, etc.
So much to think about!!! Just want to make sure I have it all put together before I break the news.
Did I miss anything?