So I'm not due until August 14, so I'm 36 weeks today. My boss asked me today how long I am going to take for maternity leave but I didn't know that I even had a choice? So she said I can take 6 weeks paid leave (natural birth)/8 weeks paid leave (c-section). However, she said legally they have to hold my job position for up to 12 weeks (only 6-8 of it being paid). Obviously I want the most time with him but I don't wanna go crazy sitting at home forever with a newborn. How do I decide how long I want? How long did you mamas take out?

Background: I'm a 20 year old single mother with my first baby and I make a little over minimum wage (full time) working at a daycare. When I go back to work, he will be in the infant room where I work (but I won't be with him in that room).