I am not pregnant yet but we would like to try for number 2 in the next few months, however just started childminding and dont want to jeopardize the business too early.

Can I ask how long you managed to work for and how much maternity leave you took?

Thanks

Moz

sorry can't help you with this but looking forward to seeing the replies as im in the same situation and been minding a year:)

I honestly believe it depends on the individual pregnancy, A friend of mine sailed through her pregnancies, didn't even seem to get tired, she said she didn't understand why some women make a big deal of it:angry:

I on the other hand am no good to man or best with 24/7 sickness for the first 10 weeks, constantly exhausted etc.:blush:

Might be easier whilst working from home rather than having to travel to and from work on the train/bus etc

xx

Hiya]

I had my son last october only took 2 weeks mat leave, and to be honest it wasnt enough

this time Im due november and Im taking a year and most likely wont return to minding as I will have 2 under 5 of my own!

My kids are much older now. I was minding when I was expecting DS. He was due beginning Nov and I planned to work up to end of summer school hols. Did not go to plan as I tripped,fell and broke my wrist at beginning of Aug :rolleyes: He was safe and all was well once I got the wrist plastered.

Only had 1 mindee at the time, her mum was pregnant too and I had to just finish. We both had 2 year old girls.

After he was born I wanted to start back (new mindees needed) when he was 3 months old but none were about. He was 10 months old before a child over one turned up :rolleyes:

Ideally I would have had 8 weeks off before and 12/13 after. Luckily we could afford the break (literally!!:laughing: )

With Charley I took 6 months off because we moved house/areas so had to be inspected again.

With Mitchell I had 3 days off and that included a weekend, I felt fine and did only have 1 lo.

Both times I've worked after due date but it does depend how you feel and what you want to do.

Carol xx

I worked up to 36 weeks (only with 2 part timers though) and found it ok.

I took the full 9 months maternity because I was actually about £150 a month better off on maternity allowance than what I earned from my part timers!

I was very lucky in that I had a local childminder cover my leave and now have both children back after my leave plus a new full timer.

I was lucky and my pregnancy was not too bad apart from SPD which meant I used to drive the children to school instead of walk:blush: . I didn't fill spaces and did cut back on children. I worked to a week before my due date but all the children's new minders knew they could get the children sooner if things changed. I used my maternity to move and as I had payed my NI I got Maternity Allowance which although not tons was enough to get by on - I ended up not working for 14 months after DD2 was born through choice:)

I worked till 33 (30 full time & 33 part time) weeks with ds2...then topped working as i was moving...I intended taking the full year, so was due to start back in Sept, but I have a full time LO due to start in January & as my son starts school in Sept, we decided to get him settled & then I just start up in Jan...TBH I don't know how I worked to 33 weeks...I had a lot of health problems & there was no way I could have worked any later...had it been the pregnancy I has with my ds...i would have worked till the week he was born & been back at work the next day without a problem...you just have to see how you go...sorry, not much help I know!

I worked right up to the day before but i did have to go into hospital for week 6 months into my pregnancy.

I would say always have a back up plan.

If you have only just started childminding pay your NI and then you have some paid time off