I spent last year working full time and the year before that 4 days per week. I find it easy and I am lucky that my kids have fallen into great routines. It may seem a drag but they do it with no complaints. They also know that me working enables us to go on holidays and have all the things they like such as going to the movies, birthday parties etc... Due to me working full time we have managed to get a new car and go on holidays to the Gold Coast for 2 weeks.

I will be working full time for as long as I can ... as close to EDD as possible with my planned maternity leave to begin 2 wks before bubs is due.

I am a teacher so I will take the last few weeks of term 2 off and all of term 3 put plan to go back to work in term 4 for 2 or 3 days per week. I have been a SAHM and it really isn't for me ... that's not to say its a bad thing, dont get me wrong ... it is just not me!! I love working and the kids at school need me just as much as my kids at home do.

I went back to work, part time ie 3 days, when Emma was 2mths old and spent the other 2 days at Uni. With Jack we lived in the country and he still went to day care for 2 afternoons, fromt he time he was 4mths old so I could study. We already have a day care centre for Em & jack for before and after school care and the staff there are great, so I will have no problems putting bubs into care for a couple of days a week.

I understand for some people it is a hard decision to make and I also know that for others there is no choice. I am lucky in that I get 6 wks paid maternity leave which I can take over 12 weeks at half pay ... some others are not so lucky. Ryan is being totally supportive of my choices about work adn has told me I can have more time off but I don't want to ... not at the moment anyway, that may all change once bubs arrives but I doubt it.

Good luck in making your decision ... it can be tough but ultimatley it has to be right for you and your family!

Cheers