So I live in Canada where we are blessed to be able to take up to one year off of work with partial payment. (Maxes out at $524 a week). My son was born May 30 so I'm not due back until June 1st but am considering going back to work 6 months early on December 1. Partly because of financial strain on my family, partly because I was on a career path and feel if I stay away too long it will get derailed and partly because while I love my son more than anything I'm finding myself falling into a slight depression being at home all day with 3 kids aged 13, 6, and almost 3 months. Maybe once the other two are back in school I will feel less stuck at home but who knows.