Feeling guilty about taking maternity leave?

[Plan2bamummy]

We are going to TTC from October, so we are starting to research now. I have checked entitlements today and by July next year ( if we conceive in October ) i will have 8 weeks holiday pay, plus 14weeks paid maternity leave from work (and 18weeks federal government) so atleast 40weeks off. I can take the holiday and mat leave at part pay (so 62 weeks off Inc federal).
I'm feeling guilty about this ( more about the inconvenience to my employer).
We are hoping for more than one so we will be doing it all over again a year or two after the birth. Is this normal?

[CamD]

I felt exactly the same as you! I can't answer if it is normal to feel that way or not as many of my friends didn't have the same experience, but I certainly did.

I manage a team of people that I really care about and I have always been so loyal to my employer and I felt that taking mat leave would cause them a major inconvenience and present me as not dedicated to my role.

...BUT it took me two weeks of waiting for Bubs to arrive where I was still thinking about work and checking in with everyone...then I finally let go after those two weeks. I have been on mat leave now for 4 months and I have not felt guilty or bad at all - there is nothing more important to me right now than caring for my DS - it is the most important job in the world to me and I want to do it the best I can.

Now I have a whole lot of different guilt because I am due to go back to work two or three days a week in a few months time. I can't imagine leaving my baby!

So I'm sure the feeling will pass. You are doing the most important thing you could possibly ever do and your employer will understand! Your feeling of guilt will pass when your bubba arrives and you are entitled to all of that leave - its your right!

Good luck x

[kw123]

We are going to TTC from October, so we are starting to research now. I have checked entitlements today and by July next year ( if we conceive in October ) i will have 8 weeks holiday pay, plus 14weeks paid maternity leave from work (and 18weeks federal government) so atleast 40weeks off. I can take the holiday and mat leave at part pay (so 62 weeks off Inc federal).
I'm feeling guilty about this ( more about the inconvenience to my employer).
We are hoping for more than one so we will be doing it all over again a year or two after the birth. Is this normal?

Don't feel guilty! However, just wanted to point out that the 12 months absence includes any period of annual leave or LSL. Your employer could of course agree to you taking it on top of the 12 months, but they don't have to. Check out the FWA site for more info.

And yes, it's normal to do it again a couple of years later

[Plan2bamummy]

CamD I know I'm also going to have that struggle, we can't win can we.

KW123, I'm fortunate that my employer allows mat leave again

[soccer mum]

Nah, I feel guilty because I went for an interview recently for a new role, and between finding out I got it and starting I have found Im pregnant so they will have to recruit somebody else in about 6 months. I think all you can do is help your employer as much as possible by letting them know whats going on and if possible helping other staff know what you do so they can cover you. Good luck TTC, and just think any employee could leave for any reason, and you will come back so dont feel guilty!