Even though Ben has labeled me a pessimist, I try my damnedest not to be so pessimistic. I like to think of myself as a realist; but, I am sure there is some truth to what Ben is thinking. I do my best to see the silver lining in bad situations. Mostly, so I don’t focus on all the negativity and find myself spiraling out of control with either anxiety or depression.
I have to admit that infertility hit me hard, just like everyone else going through it. I had good days and bad days. However, I tried to see an upside… for example, oh, I got my period this month… well then I get to drink on vacation/at the wedding/in general. Yes, most of my silver linings were related to drinking. Yes, I realize that is a cooping mechanism. Stop judging me! J
Anyways, I have realized another upside to infertility this week. I have saved up enough sick leave these last years to cover the full 12 weeks of FMLA!!!! That’s right ladies and gentlemen, I said sick leave! That doesn’t include my vacation leave at all! Based on my projection, I will actually have about a week of sick leave and almost 4 weeks of vacation leave when I come back to work! I can’t believe it!
Please note that some of the reason I will have so much leave upon returning to work is that I work for a university and I will have 13 paid holidays during my maternity leave. My university shuts down completely for about 2 weeks at Christmas and the President has provided us with paid holiday during that time in lieu of raises. (Yes, always disappointed in July when I don’t receive a raise but always happy when he announces the paid 2 weeks at Christmas and 1 week for Spring Break !)
Anyways, I am overjoyed today and now am thinking I should ask off on Friday since my Mama is in town for the weekend!!
Great planning on that one! My company doesn't let me use paid holidays during my leave because technically while I'm on leave I'm not employed by them. Which sucks ass because most of the paid holidays are happening during my leave! What a rip off! I sure hope you can use yours.
ReplyDeleteThat is a rip off! I have specifically asked our benefits people because I thought it sounded too good to be true too!! They said I can use holiday.
DeleteWow - that's an awesome upside!! There will be so much less stress when you can be home for that amount of time with your newborn AND getting paid!
ReplyDeleteYes, not worrying about the finances will definately let me enjoy little miss even more! But I am sure it is going to make it that much harder going back to work too! But I will deal with that when I have to!
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