Fmla

[Lunarmoon]

Does anybody know what is considered a work week? For example, the last week in my school year is only two days, so would those two days (June 17-18) be considered a whole work week, or would it be from June 12-June 18. I think no matter what I will end up going back to work, but I really don't have a place for the baby until September so I was hoping not. My husband is going to save vacation though, so if it comes down to it, he will be home to watch him. Also, does anybody know anything about short term disability and unemployment? My work covers what I work in sick time, and then after I am on my own. The human resources mentioned something about picking up disability, and then during the summer I usually resort to unemployment. (I really need a job in a public school..lol)

[KDinCO]

I have short-term disability through Aflac but I was told I had to sign up before getting pregnant or it would be considered a pre existing condition. I can't remember exactly how they determine if it was pre existing but anyway I signed up in February thinking I could get pregnant any time this year. I don't know much about FMLA yet. I tried to start calling home daycare providers but many don't know their availability through June next year. I talked to the referral coordinators in two counties, where I live and where I work and they both told me it's best to call after Jan 1 so I am trying not to stress over it till then! At first DH and I thought I might be able to stay home or work part-time but health insurance through hisemployer is too expensive for a family. Its nearly 1/4 the cost where I work for the baby and I.

[MamaKelly01]

I pay for short term disability through work, and they had a 6-month pre-existing clause that said if you were pregnant during open-enrollment, you had to wait 6-months before it would pay for a pregnancy. Thank goodness for my first pregnancy, my son was born 2 weeks after the waiting period. I continued to pay for it so I will have short-term disability with this pregancy too. It covers 6 weeks (but one of those you don't get paid for - so 5 weeks of pay). FMLA is only for companies that have over 50 employees, so hopefully the school you work at exceeds that. FMLA doesn't pay you for anything, it just protects your job for 12 weeks, and I'm not sure if it is twelve weeks of 8-hour days for a total of 480 per calendar year?? I'm still trying to figure it all out again myself for this pregancy.
I don't know much about unemployment benefits...

[MaMa2boys]

It's typical that short term disability you have purchased through your employer or outside sources would require a 11-12 month waiting period before you could claim a pregnancy leave.

Lunarmoon it would depend on what state you live in in regards to short term disability provided unless you have purchased it. I don't know if ANY states recognize pregnancy though as a matter of leave. As far as unemployment goes that's a no.. you have to able to work in order to recieve unemployment benefits. I don't know about the work week situation you mentioned, lol I'm confused by it honestly.

I don't qualify for anything because I'm not working 24hrs a week, so I'm just pinching pennies and trying to budget! I will probably work a lot this summer since my new scholarship will only cover 3 terms.. I'm not going to waste it on summer classes. A little worried about making everything work.

And next fall is going to be interesting.. my oldest will be a first grader and in school all day which will make things easier but my parents provide daycare. My DH is gone M-Th 6-1 at school and I usually go 2 days a week for 2 hrs for class and online for the rest, next fall I will be in my program and gone all day as well. We are going to have to put our middle child in daycare (he will be cheaper because he will be 3) and then my parents will have to watch an infant.. sometimes I worry it's just to much for them even though they insist it's fine.. they are 60.

Ugh I feel like there is so much to take care of in a short time!

[Lunarmoon]

In other words since I didn't apply for anything prior, then I am screwed. Hopefully I have a TON more sick time than I think. I don't know how we are going to survive. So overwhelmed right now. Thanks for all your help everyone!

[MaMa2boys]

Start saving right now and explore couponing! Don't be afraid to buy used things for baby.. Craigslist is my best friend.

[Lunarmoon]

Start saving right now and explore couponing! Don't be afraid to buy used things for baby.. Craigslist is my best friend.

Thankfully we have most baby stuff from my sister. We only need a couple things that I am hoping to get at the baby shower. I also was able to get some clothing from people, so we have some clothes. I signed up for diaper/formula coupons. I wish my husband was making big bucks, lol. Any tips for couponing?

[MaMa2boys]

When it comes to formula I cannot recomend generic brands enough.. even after coupons name brands are still going to cost more. My fave was Costco, Kirkland brand. If you don't have access to it I would say Target. My pediatrician enlightened me to the fact that all baby formula is regulated by the FDA and is equal in nutritional value, she also said that everything "special" actually has no proven nutritional value but may make it easier for some babies to digest. Don't be tricked by packaging that says that they contain certain things when odds are that ALL brands contain the same things they are just trying to make it look like it's special.

For diapers I also suggest Target brand generic, or invest in Amazon Prime/Amazon mom for the benefits offered there for diapers. I am able to buy Huggies which are by far my fave brand for my boys for just a couple cents more than generic diapers, but I get a huge package and they are delivered to my door! I prefer the deals I get on wipes at Costco but at this point I'm just not going through them that quickly so I get them when they go onsale every 3 months or so, when the baby comes I'll have to buy 2 boxes or start using Amazon again. I love that I'm never out of diapers! And if I miscalculate it only takes 2 days to get a new order. It's also super convenient for other things for baby like baby wash, lotions, formula, and supplies for me and the rest of the family. Free 2 day shipping on everything and subscribe and save items really make it conveneient when I live 40+ mins from a major shopping center.

Check out Coupondivas.com if you want to start couponing for other items aside from baby stuff..and look on facebook for local groups. Frugal living northwest is what I use for my local stores and deals but it's mainly just WA and Or.

[Lunarmoon]

Thank you!! I'm not too worried about formula, he will hopefully be breast fed, but I wanted to have some in case. I know sometimes things happen, but the way I'm leaking I think I'll have some good milk at least, . I think I will do the subscription through amazon route. No costco here, but is that a place that you would buy in bulk? Thanks so much!!!

[JJorn]

I just wanted to pop in and say that FMLA is done in 1/2 day increments, I believe, so those two days would really just be two days and not count as a whole week.

[Lunarmoon]

I just wanted to pop in and say that FMLA is done in 1/2 day increments, I believe, so those two days would really just be two days and not count as a whole week.

Ok thank you!