13 month long maternity leave

[Anonymous]

I’m taking a break in my graduate program and will be home with my baby for a full year. Any helpful hints or suggestions from those lucky enough to do this? DH will be taking his paternity and vacation and be home the first nine weeks too.

We will be first time parents.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Have you spent significant time with young kids? Sounds kind of torturous to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you spent significant time with young kids? Sounds kind of torturous to me.

You think staying home with your own baby for a year sounds torturous?! What did you do with your kids aged 0 to 12 months?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you spent significant time with young kids? Sounds kind of torturous to me.

You think staying home with your own baby for a year sounds torturous?! What did you do with your kids aged 0 to 12 months?

Yes. I returned to work at 6 months. I left the house running. Love spending time with my kids but not interested in 24-7 care.

[Anonymous]

I had six months before I needed to go back but I work from home and have a nanny.

My favorite things were a Mommy and me class where I met other new mothers. It was lovely. I got my baby very used to being worn and started walking with her for hours outside. We did lots of art museums and galleries when the weather was bad. Outside concerts were fun.

I got breastfeeding down after a couple weeks and was so glad I stuck with it because it made taking my daughter out for outings so easy.

I enjoyed my baby for six months! You’re going to love it, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you spent significant time with young kids? Sounds kind of torturous to me.

You think staying home with your own baby for a year sounds torturous?! What did you do with your kids aged 0 to 12 months?

Yes. I returned to work at 6 months. I left the house running. Love spending time with my kids but not interested in 24-7 care.

So OP has just twice that time. Be productive and offer her your wisdom from six months! Was it really do torturous for you?

[Anonymous]

A Mommy and Me type class is great. Gets you in touch with other moms with exact same aged babies.

Cuddle, sleep, and cherish the time!

[Anonymous]

That isn’t maternity leave. You’re dropping out of the workforce (or in this case -school) unpaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That isn’t maternity leave. You’re dropping out of the workforce (or in this case -school) unpaid.

Whatever.

[Anonymous]

Are you planning on breastfeeding, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you planning on breastfeeding, OP?

OP here. Yes, planning on it.

[Anonymous]

Do you have any help? Mom? MIL? Night nurse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have any help? Mom? MIL? Night nurse?

No, just DH while he’s on leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had six months before I needed to go back but I work from home and have a nanny.

My favorite things were a Mommy and me class where I met other new mothers. It was lovely. I got my baby very used to being worn and started walking with her for hours outside. We did lots of art museums and galleries when the weather was bad. Outside concerts were fun.

I got breastfeeding down after a couple weeks and was so glad I stuck with it because it made taking my daughter out for outings so easy.

I enjoyed my baby for six months! You’re going to love it, OP!

+1. I got my baby used to being worn and the city and country were our oysters (so to speak). Walking so much with my baby was wonderful.

Otherwise just sing, read, and talk to the baby. Maybe get DH or a babysitter in so you can do a few things for yourself or work out (if you enjoy it). I travelled a bit with my first because it was so easy and pre-Covid.

[Anonymous]

Consider finding a babysitter for when your husband goes back to work. The transition from very intellectual work (grad school) to staying at home with a baby can be a challenge and it will be nice to have a few hours a few days a week to yourself to recharge your batteries.