What you need to think before you go on maternity leave: 10 real tips

Two small strips able to share your life in a very different "before" and "after." What is there, beyond the horizon? What are so worried all the women who were building a career and suddenly found out that they were soon to become a mother?

I passed this way three times, combining work and having children, so happy to share their personal experiences.

1. The duration of maternity leave

As soon as your boss know that you are in position, one of the first questions that you want to prepare, would be: "How long do you plan to sit in the decree?". The question is very logical and clear - if the failure is eliminated a key player, the employer need to understand what to do. Keep in mind that on your answer very much depends on whether colleagues will be able for a time to pick up this functionality, whether look for someone on a temporary maternity rate, or, frankly, your return will no longer be in principle strongly wait.

2. Money

A very important point, especially for those women whose income It plays an essential role in the family budget. A few months before the decree fly by, so focus on the planning costs.

Very few employers compensate for the period beyond the statutory under the law, so you need to prepare for a drastic reduction in the level of income. It is neither good nor bad, just a fact. Whatever you are planning, feel free to increase by 30% - usually appear unforeseen expenses, the existence of which is now even hard to imagine.

It has a slight advantage for those who have a deferred revenue, such as an annual bonus.

3. Health

Now is the time to do it, even if there were not always get around. Carefully examine what possibilities exist in LCA program offered by the employer. Often surcharge it can be expanded to include an option for management of pregnancy and childbirth. Also ask about the children's insurance programs.

4. Completion of the projects and the transfer of cases

If you do not burn with the desire to go straight from the office to the hospital it is better to start the process. Who are your successors and on what issues? Write a plan for timing the completion of key tasks and agree in advance with his head. If long-term projects begin, consider who will have to duplicate them and then be able to complete.

5. The future operation

Determine at what point you are ready to return to work and in which format. I had an experience as a very quick exit from the decree, and the opportunity to sit almost two years - the difference is very noticeable. If the transition from one state to another more gradual process of adaptation is easier. There is also the opportunity to return to his duties in a mode of incomplete working week or part-time - discuss this with your employer. If the specificity of the profession allows, you might think about the option of telecommuting.

6. Benefits and advantages

Carefully review the labor legislation, in order to understand what additional features you have. The simplest example of their use in practice - the reduction of working hours due to interruptions for child feeding, stipulated by law for working women with children up to six years.

7. your assistant

Talk to close friends, who and what issues will support you. Nanny is also better to seek in advance to be able to gradually return to an active social life. By the way, leave for child care under the law has the right to take not only the mother, but also dad and even grandma. You can switch roles in the process. Personally I know of examples when a decree of Pope left the most that neither is a serious male professions. Refuse stereotypes, do as you are comfortable!

8. Gadgets

Such thingsAs a breast pump, sterilizer, cooker, electronic swing for the baby, and many others, have saved millions of hours of young mothers and freed their hands for other important tasks. Not necessarily all of them to buy, many can take the time with friends.

9. Recreation

For the birth of the baby, especially for the first time sleepless nights strength you really need. Think about what is better to take the time to previously unused vacation days. The most common situation - a woman on the eve of the maternity leave takes regular paid holidays, taking advantage of this legitimate right.

10. New opportunities

Evaluate what new opportunities are opening up in front of you during the period of the decree, which previously lacked time. Go to the exhibition, start cross stitching or obtain additional education - it all depends on your interests and level of ambition. Often this magical pause can be an excellent springboard for the next career jump or start their own business.