How Long For a Maternity Leave?

[Jessie]

I know this question has been asked many, many times before, but here's my situation. I'm expecting a baby in October, so I'm trying to decide how long to close. I am really only open one day a week, so even when I open back up, it won't be a huge deal, but I'd love to hear what others would do.

So by the fall, I'll have my daughter, who will be 2.9, an almost 2 year old boy, and a 3 year old boy. One mom has asked me if she can send her son, who will be 18 months to me instead of his brother (4) who is here now (he'll go to preschool full time in the fall).

I'm nervous because I'm just not sure if I can handle 4 young kids, plus a newborn. My daughter was SUCH a tough baby and I'm remembering lots of days of non-stop crying and horrible naps, and I don't know if I can swing it with a pack of other kids too! On the other hand, this one day a week of daycare is a nice little income for me, I'm supplementing my other business which is just getting off the ground, so its nice to know that no matter what, I have even a tiny income to pay my phone bill. I don't want to close if I don't have to!

So I guess my question is - how long have people closed for the birth of a child? I've heard people say 2 or 3 weeks, which I find just unbelievable - would anyone take 6 weeks? 8 weeks?

I haven't told families yet, I'm so early in the pregnancy, so I have time to figure it out!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Did you ever take your daughter to a chiropractor? Were you breastfeeding? If so, did you ever restrict various things from your diet (dairy being a big trigger in a lot of infants for discomfort)?
There can be so many reasons a baby is constantly upset.

I'm due Sept. 2. I will be closed for 2 weeks. The assistant will then re-open the daycare and run it for the next 2 weeks. After that, I will ease back into it. That gives me 4 full weeks to enjoy my new baby. I am open 5 days a week and if I took off any more time than I already am people would leave. 2 weeks of being closed is already pushing it.

[Rachel]

I was lucky because here there is 14 week maternity leave, paid. I actually was off almost 18 weeks, got an extra 19 paid days because ds was in the hospital 19 days. I don't know how you guys go back o soon, you are amazing!

[MNMum]

I will close for one week, then have my assistant run the daycare for about 8 weeks.

[mrsnj]

I never closed. I set assistants in place to cover a week or two but truth is I came home n was back to work the following week. I have great births and have been lucky to bounce right back. I was here, so I worked

[Jessie]

Wow. I'm moving to Jerusalem. I'm not sure I can function after one week, but hopefully I won't need 18 either! I guess I'll play it by ear with my families, see how long they can do without me, and call in a grandma or two for some help...

Thanks!

[jenn]

I closed for 2 weeks. Then, for the first 2 weeks I was open, I had a helper with me.

[bunnyslippers]

I had a c-section, and didn't close at all. I hired extra help for 4 weeks, but was open and ready for business.

Since you are only open one day a week, I would look into hiring a back-up for a month or so, just to get your feet under you!