Thanks Peanutter By the time I actually got pregnant, I had started to really like this idea, and was so excited that DH would be able to spend time alone with the baby. Now that it's a reality though, his workplace is being entirely unsupportive. They'll need to replace him for those 18 weeks (I basically said well duh, what did they expect??) but they're saying they don't feel that they could then let that person go because DH has decided to come back. I don't believe it should be so hard - they should just hire someone on an 18 week contract!! As long as everyone knows where they stand no problem right?

The other issue is they don't want DH to be 'out of the loop' when he gets back with regards to training etc. He's due to start a second apprenticeship next year so that he has a dual trade, and I can understand that would need to be delayed, but I don't believe he would be completely out of it when he came back. I mean if I take all the leave, how much out of the loop will I be??

We considered maybe he'd take 4 weeks instead of the full 18, but the whole thing is just getting DH worked up, feeling like he can't do any of it And he feels like 4 weeks on his own with bubs after I've been there for ages and then going to daycare might just disrupt things even more We'll sort something out I guess!

Oh and yes, the pregnancy is all good so far