Giving up work 6 weeks before my due date - too early?

[Ellegirly 74]

Hello
My baby is due early January (I know, I've got a long way to go yet but already I am planning my exit from work!)
I am thinking of leaving work at the end of November to allow me nearly 6 weeks rest before the big day.
I thought this would allow me a nice amount of time between working as a full time secretary to working as a full time mum! But some of my friends think I'm mad and that I should work up to Xmas and just have a few weeks inbetween, saying that I'll be going mad stuck at home.
But I love being at home, feel more relaxed there and HATE my job (like I am counting down the days until I can leave!). I'll have lots to keep me busy at home and at that time will be preparing for Xmas etc.
Should I just stick to my own plan and have some 'me' time, or from your experiences, are my friends right and should I leave work as late as is physically possible?
My friend did that and she ended up being 2 weeks early so had no time to rest up inbetween work and motherhood and now she regrets leaving it so late.
Any opinions on this or should I stop worrying and do what's right for me?

[xhxmxsx]

it's totally up to you, your own personal decision if u have this 'me' time it will mean less time with your baby before u go back to work after maternity, totally your choice hun

[Psychick]

You can change your leaving date closer to the time if you wish, providing you give your employer the necessary notice. How much time you want really depends on how you are feeling at the time. When I had my daughter, I started my leave about 8 weeks before the baby was due but that was mainly due to my becoming impossible (he had two of us going on maternity leave within a month of each other and boy did we know he wasnt happy! lol) I think had I had a nicer boss, I would have continued to work til closer to the time.

This time round....Im due towards the end of February and will probably start my leave when the schools break up for christmas (I work in a school plus have a 6 yr old) so for me it just seems to be a good time.

Hopefully this link will help with how much notice you have to give etc

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/work/mat ernityrights/

[nat_84]

My advice would be to use up all your holiday and then officially go on maternity leave (thats if u have any holiday remaining!).

I've been off work for two weeks already but my SMP doesnt kick in until next week (starting with 90% pay) because i took two weeks holiday. I took leave (holiday incl) from 15th June and my due date is 14th July - so i've given myself a month.

I must admit i've been bored stiff!! But i was bored stiff at work so doesnt make much difference except for my sleeping pattern!

Do what you think is right x

[Ellegirly 74]

Hi all. Thanks for your messages and the useful link!
I plan to take all my holiday before I go on maternity leave so when I leave work at the end of November (if that's what I decide) the slate will be clean.
So I am assuming I will get the 6 weeks pay (at 90%) when I go off on maternity leave?
I just don't want to leave it until Xmas to leave, I think it'll be too close and I've heard how nice it is, if you can, to have some rest time in between.
Like I said, I am really not happy in my current job (I've only been here for 3 months so my pregnancy news is going to go down like a lead balloon when I tell them! Oops), so I would imagine I am going to find it completely unbearable with a massive bump to carry around too!
I think I'll be ready to leave in October, nevermind November! But I can't because I need the money :o(
Anyway, I have been reliably informed that the time at work flies and before I know it I'll be off on maternity leave, wobbling around like a weeball and willing the baby to come out!
Only 5 months to go before I can claim my freedom! (Ps. I don't plan to come back to this job afterwards, but obviously I won't tell them that yet!)
Thanks again for your replies.
xx