Leave na hindi pahinga: Maternity Leave

A woman employee, upon giving birth, is allowed to take maternity leave (ML) for 60 calendar days (normal) / 78 calendar days (Caesarean section).  As advised by my OB, I started my ML last October 8, 2012, although I gave birth last Oct. 17.  That means I should get back to work on December 10, 2012 (huhu, ang lapit na!).  However, since our panganay, Jianne, is one of the flower girls during Diane's wedding on Dec. 12, I will go back to work on the 17th na lang kasi alanganin ung Dec. 12.  Leave without pay na nga lang 'yun.

Anyway, many of us think that being on leave will enable you to relax.  But not all leaves can give you time to rest from the stress from your work.  And I'm talking about ML.  Magandang pakinggan that you won't work for at least 2 months, pero ang totoo nyan, You'll still "work" while on ML.  Kasi you will take care of your newborn child.  Madalas puyat ka kasi sa gabi gising ang baby mo.  Hindi ka makakain sa tamang oras dahil natutulog sa dibdib mo ang baby.  Madalas, hapon ka na nakakaligo dahil hindi mo maiwanan si baby.  At sa lahat ng gagawin mo at gusto mong gawin, kailangan lagi kang nagmamadali kasi baka magising na si baby.  Very stressful din.  Actually, parang mas stressful kaysa sa work.  Ang malaking kaibahan nga lang, is the happiness that you feel while taking of your child is ecstatic and very fulfilling as compared to the happiness that you feel while working.  Kahit na ma-wiwi-an ka, malagyan ng pupu, malungadan ng anak mo, at lahat-lahat na, ibang saya pa rin ang mararamdaman mo, dahil kasama mo  ang anak mo, 24/7.  Ang saya nun di ba? :)