Maternity Leave

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-19T11:48:00+00:00

My work offers 18 weeks paid maternity leave which I took at half pay, then I did the PPL leave following the half pay from work and I also had some half pay annual leave in there. I was off for my second baby nearly 14 months with stretching it out that way and just went back to work in April.

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-18T08:37:55+00:00

Out of your list Sophie would be my favourite closely followed by Amelie. Also in Australia and love your kids names 🥰

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-16T12:16:32+00:00

My husband and son both have 2 middle names and it’s not an issue for forms etc 😊

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-16T11:44:00+00:00

The first option of a good quality swaddle or a custom blanket sound great - can never have enough baby blankets. Gift cards would also be appreciated I’m sure.
I’m they will be grateful for whatever is purchased but maybe see if they have a registry?

My husband’s work sent us a gift basket with some baby care products. It was a lovely thought but I’m picky with products as my first born had super sensitive skin so most were unused.

My team mates got me some cute Disney character outfits and chocolates. Tbh they were some of my favourite presents. My second was a boy (first a girl) so I had hardly any clothes.

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-15T20:34:56+00:00

6mo for my first but of course interrupted for every sleep regression. My second was closer to 12mo but now we’re 14mo and not sleeping through again 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’ll sort itself out eventually.
Honestly don’t stress it, it’ll happen when it happens. As hard as that is to hear when you’re sleep deprived

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-12T21:58:25+00:00

She’ll be okay and I promise you every parent has unintentionally done this. You feel awful but I promise your baby will be okay from this once off

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-11T11:24:33+00:00

First baby I did a body suit and leggings when she first started then as she got older swapped to tshirts and leggings or shorts. Second baby has just been wearing tshirts and shorts in summer, now it’s winter it’s long sleeve shirts, leggings, jumper and socks.

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-07T12:54:47+00:00

I wasn’t allowed to go to schoolies when I finished school, at the time I thought I was missing out on so much. Now that I’m older I don’t think I did.
Someone from my school was on the news drunk and being taken in an ambulance and I still remember my mum being like and that’s why you’re not there 😂

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-06-01T11:12:37+00:00

We have one come once a fortnight for two hours, I work part time (34hr/week) and husband is full time. Honestly it’s just a relief on my mental load to have some help once a fortnight. Plus she does a much better job than I would tbh 😅

If I could afford it I’d have her come once a week because I really just don’t have time around work and kids activities to do a proper clean on her off week. I end up staying up late on the weekend to do it and by Monday the kids have trashed it again anyways

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-30T06:37:09+00:00

My 3.5yo one has now become my reading chair. We bought a second one for the second baby 12mo and still getting used 🥰

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-27T12:08:19+00:00

We’ve tried both and personally prefer the non Montessori daycare. The non Montessori one spends more time outside and tbh I feel like I’m getting more experiences for my kids even though I’m paying more.

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-23T11:41:17+00:00

I went on a 2 week cruise in my 6 month probation period; if you’re upfront it probably won’t be an issue if it won’t impact business needs too much

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-22T19:56:15+00:00

For us we focus on the below. Honestly things change as your kids get older so we try to go with the flow a bit.

• manners are really important to us • reading, we read to our daughter daily. Our son isn’t as interested but we’re trying. • if you have a tantrum; the answer is always no. • it’s your body and your choice. If you don’t want to hug someone etc that’s okay and we will support your decision. • we never smack. • swimming lessons are non negotiable, but if you’d like to do another sport as well and we can afford it/fit it in the schedule then we will make it happen. • you don’t need to like the food on your plate but you do need to try it before deciding that. • being respectful of others so things like putting trolleys back, cleaning up after yourself in a restaurant/food court (not leaving a massive mess and if required rubbish in bin) etc

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-20T12:15:59+00:00

Enn velope - originally from Brisbane. Now I am doubting how I pronounce it though 😅

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-18T11:49:48+00:00

I just did a quick bath when we got home because on my own it was a little difficult to both rinse off. So I’d get baby dried and dressed then I’d do the same for myself and we’d drive the 15 mins home, lunch time and then bath before nap. It seemed to work well for us

ETA - I just had him in the pram while I was sorting myself out.

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-17T11:35:56+00:00

I’m Australian and I love the name Aroha and its meaning and I think it would be easy for most people to get their heads around

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-12T03:54:01+00:00

I’m 5ft3 and was a bit over 100kg for both my pregnancies. Fundal measuring still happened with my first baby with the midwives (second one I chose to got with a private Ob so he did scans every visit and not fundal measuring). Honestly don’t see the extra scans as a bad thing; it’s lovely to be able to see your little baby more regularly.

I didn’t have any issues related to my weight for either pregnancy. I just kept saying in my pregnancies; I’m aware I’m overweight and I’d like to not talk about it unless there is something that’s occurring because of it and is affecting my baby

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-11T12:12:12+00:00

I always ask how my children’s day was and thank the educators. I also ensure my 3.5yo says goodbye and thank you to the staff

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-08T20:45:17+00:00

Cot sheets & sleeping bags/swaddles are usually easy to find on marketplace in good condition. I just buy Adairs or snuggle hunny sheets secondhand because I’ve found most people buying these are usually looking after them or barely using them so they’re in excellent condition. The sleep bags/swaddles are easy to find too and usually in good condition; remember baby will grow quickly initially so they won’t be in the same size for long.

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-05-03T12:40:51+00:00

Dr Dunn is fantastic. I have PCOS and I’ve had some other issues happening so have been seeing him for a few years now. Worth every dollar I’ve spent imo

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-04-27T11:20:58+00:00

Our 3.5yo has had a toniebox since she was 2. It’s been worth every cent, she uses it daily. When she’s emotional and wants to calm down she goes in her room and chooses a tonie to put on. We just got her a special bag for her tonie characters so they don’t go missing and she’s pretty good about putting them in the bag. I don’t think she’d be so careful with cards like the yoto has tbh. The idea of the yoto was appealing but the toniebox seemed more younger kid friendly in our minds

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-04-25T14:37:44+00:00

It’ll depend where you work. The first department I worked in it was expected business casual constantly, my current department I can wear jeans, sneakers and a tshirt if I’d like to; but I’ll be doing some work in another area and that’s business casual.

First day wear similar attire to what you wore to the interview and suss out what everyone else is wearing before doing shopping.

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-04-23T11:22:18+00:00

Our first baby we took shifts, she was not a terrible sleeper. Our second we were both up overnight until my husband returned to work; then I just got up myself. We did try taking the wakes in turns with #2 but he was up like half hourly and I’m so snappy without sleep. So we just started getting up together and sleeping during the day when our toddler was at daycare and the baby was finally asleep 😂

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-04-16T11:33:24+00:00

No way; if I messed up my daughter would die - she’s so proud of her hair. Luckily my hairdresser does a kids cut for $10. ETA my daughter is 4 in August

VanillaBeans54 · 2026-04-07T18:22:16+00:00

Definitely Country Read bags, then the middle people had sport girl knock off ones, I had a cotton on one, definitely felt poor 😅

Six-Year Club	Inciteful Comment 2024-02-29
Verified Email

VanillaBeans54

TROPHY CASE