I always thought I would be a SAHM until my youngest kids were in school, but as it worked out I was ready to start thinking about work within 6 months of each baby's birth. The first couple of times I put my energies into getting pregnant again, but after the twins it was a real struggle to stay at home and only the cost of daycare stopped me applying for uni earlier. I thought I would struggle to leave my kids but I actually found it really draining and unsatisfying to be a SAHM full time until they were 3, which was the point at which all 4 of my kids went into some sort of nursery/kinder programme. When the twin were 3 I started uni and they went into full time daycare. I don't regret it for a minute.
I didn't return to work but I did return to study when my first two were both 6 weeks old. I only took one subject so I was gone for 4 hours, one day a week. I needed to because looking back, I had my first two before I was really emotionally ready to so I was trying to keep in touch with former life and career
I wasn't interested in doing any kind of study or work when the 2nd two were newborn though and I actually knocked back a job offer so that I could stay home with #3 a bit longer. Then #4 came along...
I don't think there is an answer to this question. I think if mum is feeling up to it, she could possibly return to work by the week after having bubs (but I would hope that Dad is then staying home to care for bubs). It really is individual.
In my job, I certainly could return to work straight after having bubs if I chose to - it is only casual, and is only for 2hrs at a time that I would be away from baby, so not a big deal to me, so long as DH where there to look after them. But I have chosen not to for personal reasons completely unrelated to my baby (so I can loose as much weight as possible before returning). If I worked full-time I wouldn't return any quicker then I had too, but that is just a personal chose, which is evident in the fact that I have chosen to be a SAHM for the past 6yrs.
Despite my firm belief that every woman has the right to make the decision for herself and her family, I do feel sad for babies that are put into long daycare five days a week from a very early age so both parents can work. I feel sorry for the parents as well, as they are all missing out on so many special moments together. But I don't judge them for it - they must have a reason for doing it, because I don't know any parent who wouldn't miss their newborn and those special moments.
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