Maternity leave plans?

Question

What are your plans for mat leave? I know that what we CAN take doesn't always align with what we WANT to take, and every employer/country/family situation is unique... but just curious. I am already starting to research daycares for Jan 2016 start... I'm only 8w1d along!

Please remember to be kind in this discussion - it's a sensitive topic. Please don't gang up with "wow I can't believe you'd leave your baby at only a few weeks" (maybe they have no other option), or "your country has it so easy" (when often people pay into those programs for 30-40years and pay in far more than any benefits than are cashed out... or many countries offer extended leave but it's partial/no pay). Every person makes tough choices and sacrifices and makes the best decisions they can for their own situation  (and only they know ALL their facts & factors).

Answer

Lucky yall I will be taking maternity leave end of oct beginning of November. We don't get paid maternity leave sadly. It will be like I'm quiting and then coming back. So I'm trying to save as much money as I can now because I help my husband pay half the bills .

Answer

I get up to 1 year unpaid, but only 6 weeks (vaginal delivery) or 8 weeks (cesarean) paid at 50%. I'm relatively new to my job and have some travel for family obligations,  so will only have about 3 weeks of leave banked by the time the baby comes in October.  Nevertheless,  I'm planning to take about 4 months off.  My husband will be eligible for 6 weeks paid family leave at 55% but he can only use it once I'm back at work.

We are already looking at childcare near our home and office for roughly March 2016.  The place close to work has a 1 year wait list and we are looking around for other options.  It feels bizarre,  I'm not showing and haven't even told my siblings,  but we are telling random childcare providers. Oh well,  hopefully it will all work out for the best.

Answer

I work 2 jobs. One is with a school district, and the other is considered self employment (working at homes with kids with autism) 
I will try to work the first month back at school in September until baby comes, but who knows what will happen!

I live in Canada so we get a year off and I will get 60% of my regular income. I will probably take 3 months off, then continue a few shifts (they are only 2 hours long) at my other job and get paid cash hopefully. Husband is going to be in school from August-February so he will be on EI and also earning only 60% of his wage!!
Things will be tight with our bills and 2 car payments, but we will make it work ;)

Answer

Me - in the U.S. (large company):

I get 12 unpaid thru FMLA, and 6 (vag)/8 (csection) weeks paid at 100% thru Short Term Disability/Salary Continuation. Aiming for vag so 6 wks paid 100% + I am hoarding my annual vacation (4 wks) so that 10 of my 12 wks is covered at 100% pay. Haven't announced at work to confirm with HR, and not sure how Thanksgiving/Xmas holidays factor in... but will def. be strategizing to get as much paid as I can.

Husband will take a week or two off at birth (vacation PTO) also, and works a 9/80 schedule so he has every other Friday off.

On Jan 1, 2016 I will get my lump sum 4 wks vacation bank refilled (not accrued) and the option to buy a 5th week (you pay for it so essentially unpaid, but they spread the cost over a full year so not a huge impact) so I will have plenty of free time for baby bonding and when baby gets sick at daycare (because you know it will happen!), and trips to the grandparents :)

My coworker was able to stagger her return to the office too so that's something I want to  consider also - first week back work 2 days, then 3, then 4 to ease back in. Apparently that option can vary by employer but I really liked the idea of it!

Answer

Im from Australia and im a nurse who works in a public hospital so im lucky i get 14 weeks full pay from my employer or i can take it as half pay which is 28 weeks then the government gives every mother up to 18weeks pay at minimum wage which is around $600 per week then im taking 4 weeks of annual leave (i have 12 weeks accrued at work) at half pay which gives me the equivalent of another 8 weeks off so all up I'll have just over a year off. I am lucky my work place has paid mat leave as some employers don't which is why the government gives everyone 18 weeks of pay to help out. The government used to give a "baby bonus" of $5000 to every mother but then changed it so some can opt for the weekly pay instead to try and stop people spending the money on other things not for their baby.

Answer

I'm planning on taking 12 weeks (mix of paid and unpaid), then quitting. I need 3 years at my job to keep my tsp, which is jan 2016. With my 12 weeks maternity I should get there. 10w3d and I'm over work already!! I feel like I can't do anything right, I'm extra slow, and can't remember a thing. I'll be telling work I'm pregnant in a few weeks.

Answer

UK I get 6 weeks 90% of pay and remander up to nine months at £130 a weeks and can apply for parental leave for 18 weeks which is 75 a week. Making it a year off. still get all my holiday on return and get to take remander of this years holiday before starting mat leave. It isn't alot of money and we will struggle but we will have to cope.

Answer

I just got laid off at my job and had to start a new one so am not eligible for FMLA here in the US.  I am hoping for short term disability pay at least, which is 7 weeks at 60% salary.  It sucks, but what can I do?  Wish the US would create better family leave!

Answer

Im taking about 3 months off. I am due 10/3 :-) I get 70% of pay under STD for 6 weeks. That will put me around the end of November then I plan on taking December off with no pay. Go back to work Jan 4th. I will have about 4 weeks vacation i can use but I will already be using 1 week (before i get STD) so I want to save the rest :-)

Best of luck to you all!!

Answer

US- Nanny. Self employed

I'm taking 2 weeks paid. Using all my pto and sick hours in bulk when the baby is born. We can't afford to miss work as I'm primary income for us.

I have a wonderful friend I've known 20 years with 2 kids of her own who watches her niece as well who offered to take on mine as well for nominal cost.

Maternity leave plans?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products