would you take time off work or do part time work

[mumtobenumber3]

:wave:
I want your opinion about going back to work after bubs is born.
I own my own shop in small country town and will obviously be running the business when bubs is born. I was wondering if you were in my position would you put someone on full time or would you put someone on part time and do the first four hours and have them do the second whilst you go home and tend to your family. As it is my business I can take bubs to work with me in the morning but do you think I am putting to much pressure on myself in committing even this much time?
I am asking for you opinion as a mother more than a business person so your opinion is important.
Please reply as I don't know what to do
thank you

[AquaDevil78]

I dont own/run my own business, but i guess it all depends on if you can do it financially, if you can they i would definately employ someone full time, for at least first 12 months... which is what i plan to do, in my ideal world i want to take 2 years off with bubs.. as personally i want to see every little thing he does as he grows up, and not miss a thing (maybe coz im going to be a first time mum), so i plan to take 1 year min of work, hopefully two and then go back part time.. but this will of course depend on finances etc. Its a totally personal choice, it depends what is most important to you and what you want to achieve i guess.. good luck with whatever you decide :hugs:

[babytoo]

I would definately put someone on full time for at least the first 6 months. For me, life being so unpredictable up until around the 6 month mark, I would hate to commit myself to this and then find I wasn't able to do it. After 6 months, you start to crave adult company (well I did) and I would find it enjoyable to be able to have the option of working in my own business. I guess the other option is putting someone on casual...that way you don't have to guarantee them a certain amount of hours and if you want to work you can and tell them not to come in...I'm sure you will make the right decision!

[mumtobenumber3]

You are both so right, I know it in my heart. Sometimes I think I am superwoman and that everything will be fine until I fall down in a massive heap on the floor. I spent the first five years at home with my other children but things are different now. I can't exacty quit my job and get maternity leave :rolleyes: .
Six to twelve months is definately the minimum isn't it. Although 12 months and bubs will be walking, not the best thing in a gift store. :eek: .
I won't put bubs into daycare if I can help it. Not that I disagree with other mums doing it, I just don't want to.

Anyway, thank you again for your advice. Its great having somewhere to ask the question without the worry of worrying your love ones.

[AimeeB]

:wave: Hi i am a SAHM but if I owned a business(which hopefully one day I will)I would prob put someone on part time and then see how you go.If you can't manage or need more time at home maybe then you could put them to full time? I have a friend who runs a clothing shop and she just went in for a few hours a couple of days a week for the first 6 months just for her own piece of mind as she found she liked being at home but still worried things were running ok.This worked for her.:)

[mumtobenumber3]

Well I decided and have commited to putting someone in to replace me. She will start in two weeks. Very scary I must say, because I have worked so hard on this business of mine and almost like a child its hard to hand over the 'raising' of the business to someone else. Its going to cost me all the profit and therefore my wages but I know it will give me piece of mind for when bubs comes.
I will still go in regularly and make sure everything is ok, who knows I might even start up an online store!!!
Anyways :fingerscrossed: that bubs is a happy one. I just know that if this babe is like my daughter as a newborn, world block your ears!!! then I will be able to spend more time at the shop with bubs with me.

[Sarie]

We owned our own shop when DS1 came along, he was two weeks old when I went into the shop full time and took him with me everyday.
I would leave home right after his first feed at 7am, so that he could have his first sleep in the shop while I organised everything that needed to be done before open (we had a pet shop) and we would be there till around 6 or 7pm.
I did really well for about 5 months then I had to take 5 weeks off. We put it up for sale as soon as I found out I was pregnant with DS2.