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My 1st born was a "wedding gift", born unplanned just 10 months and one day after the wedding. Fortunately, he was born at the end of April(22 years ago exactly today!) I was able to take maternity leave until school was
out, then had all summer at home w/him. Then, through word-of-mouth, I found a really good care provider who kept children in her private home. She was a godsend. She cared for my son until he started preschool. When we planned the birth of our second child, we purposely planned for the baby to be born in April or May because the first experience was so successful. He was born on April

13. I was able to do the same thing w/him and the same caregiver had him for a short while. He started daycare at 15 months because my caregiver moved away. Unfortunately, being a stay-at-home mom for ANY length of time was not a financial option for me. My husband is also a teacher, and we're POOR. Ha!

SO, my recommendation is, if you're not already expecting, try to plan the birth to give you as long a leave as your school will allow and you can afford, with that leave then running into your longest school vacation time so you won't be losing any more paid hours. Then see if you can find someone competent to keep the baby, other than a nursery if you aren't comfortable with that alternative. My boys were both 4 months old when I had to go back to work. It wasn't great, but it was better than having to go back after a 6 week leave, which is the norm for around here.

I must also add that my husband was always GREAT! He is really a hands-on kind of father. He didn't expect me to work and do everything else all by myself. He changed his fair share of diapers, and cooked dinner when he had to, etc.