August 2015

Hi ladies,

I also have hectic cramps today, and my hip and bum feels like it is twisted. Think Carli is nesting down there! Last night I could barely walk, even getting up from the bed was sore and difficult.

I get 4 months fully paid and full benefits maternity leave. Then I will also take my annual leave (about a month by the end of the year). Our company also allow for up to 2 months unpaid leave to be added. So I will be off for 6 -7 months.

I am hoping to work as until very close to the end - luckily my director is very nice and she will not allow for me driving around to clients those last couple of weeks.

For those of you who already had babies, which prams did you find to work very well? We want to buy one at the baby expo, but I am so clueless! I like to Stokke look and feel, but it is very expensive and I don't think it is worth all that money!

Stella, Yay for your lb that finally slept through!

Horrible tho that now you finally get a chance at sleeping through too, the pregnancy gets you up anyway.
I know how you feel.. I'm up at least 2 to 3 times coz I'm either thirsty or have to run to the bathroom!

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. It all depends on how quickly DF gets his venture up and running. We might have to move before I'm due for maternity leave, we might not.
In any case, our company gives you 4 months maternity leave, on a sliding pay scale. 1st month off is 100% salary, 2nd month 75% and so on.
However it's all pro-rata and if you then resign within a year after returning to work, you're liable to pay the full amount back...
Really not sure what to do. Luckily I have until end of June to make my mind up. (have to give minimum 4 weeks notice whether i go on leave or have to resign)
Either way I was planning to go on maternity leave by end July, which will give me 2 to 3 weeks before baby is due, depending on when she decides it's time to meet the world.
Hoping for sooner rather than later!
Our company also usually closes from the 24th Dec to the first working day in Jan, so if I'm still here I'm trying to save up enough leave to not have to come in and work for Dec. (Almost have enough )

Trying not to have to think of leaving Siobhan at a creche or daycare... It was really really hard with my older girls. I dunno but I have a feeling it's going to be even harder with this little 'laat lammetjie'...
I'll start worrying about that closer to the time I think.

thats nice getting your bonus.
tha maximum amount you can claim from UIF is about R5200 a month. so if your company pays you 60%, then the 40% from UIF will be 40% of that R5200 if you qualify for the maximum amount. that is if i understand it correctly.
and yes they can have delays. with G i only got my UIF payment when he was 8 months old.

G is in a creche, so baby brother will just join him there when i return to work.

sjoh, that's expensive or are our rates in town cheap? we normally have people looking after kids at their home for about R1300 - R2000 pm. but we decided to also put Alexander in a crèche, we have a new curro castle in town. Their rate is R2500 pm. it includes meals (pureed veggies). They also have a nurse on site and cameras, and its 5 mins from work. But so many people tell me to rather get a nanny.. I'm not sure where to search for a nanny ?

Hi Ctelly

I will be sending Zahraa to crèche.
I already looked and got quotes for crèches in the area.
Roughly about R4000 a month.

Thanks Stella, I spoke to a lot of ladies here at work and it seems as if we do get all the money (luckily) there is just sometimes a delay in the system, where you only get UIF payments 3 months late- so i'll prepare for that. I'll also get my bonus in Sept so that will help with the delay.
Good luck with the saving
just out of interest.. what will you guys do with your little ones when you return to work ? I'll probably have to take Alexander to the crèche..

you are so lucky to get paid ML.

Ctelly, do not expect much from UIF, if your get money from your company, you will receive very little from UIF

i will have unpaid leave, so i'm saving like crazy till i go on ML.
will take 5 months though and only return in Jan. we have to take compulsary leave in december anyway so for my leave situation it will just make more sence to only return in Jan