https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 22 May 2026 10:04:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-571368 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 18:56:25 +0000 Rubies 571368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also a teacher in Canada (Toronto) and I don't know about your district but I know that for TDSB, I am only required to give 4 weeks notice to the board to when I wish to return. The original paperwork you submit prior to your leave needs to get done but if you want to return early, you only have to give 4 weeks notice.</p> <p>Also, I had a summer baby so was off for 14 months. When LO was 7 months old, I was ready to go back to work but only because I missed the adult interaction, the mental stimulation, and sense of freedom. However, I knew that going back that early wasn't realistic for my family because I felt that LO was still so little.</p> <p>But you should do what feels right for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570996 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:09:32 +0000 Charm54 570996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! DH really wants me to take the year and at this point I am leaning towards doing so. Like @hergreenapples I feel like I should take full advantage of what's offered to me!</p> <p>@Sera_87 DH makes way more than me so for him to share the parental leave we'd be really strained, lol. My top-up is not great (i'm jealous of all you 90%+ers!) I get a month of full pay and then just EI. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570983 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:54:04 +0000 matador84 570983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have taken 12 if we could have afforded it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570981 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:52:49 +0000 heartonastring 570981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in Canada too and am taking the full year...probably closer to 13 months actually, as I will tack some vacation onto the end.</p> <p>My understanding is that, legally, you can come back at any time. So even if you commit to taking a year, you can change your mind at any time. This policy also must be disclosed to whoever (if anyone) is hired to cover your leave. Obviously, ideally we would all be able to know exactly what we want ahead of time, but it's hard to say, and sometimes life happens.</p> <p>In my personal case, I am taking the year. I get 95% of my pay for the first four months and just EI after that. I am a little concerned about taking such a drastic paycut, but I also feel like (1) we are so blessed to have such an amazing mat leave policy that I want to take full advantage, and (2) that time with my baby will be invaluable. That doesn't mean it's for everyone though...of course it's a very personal decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570966 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:41:53 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 570966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i am in Canada also and i struggled SOO much with this. I knew i wanted the year, but since i started working at my full time, first-ever real career job after being in grad school for an eternity, i felt i should take as little time as possible. i started working in my third trimester and i managed to work just long enough to qualify for EI and the top up my job offered....and up until like a month before i was due, i was planning to take only 6 months. i finally gave in to my desire and decided to take the year (part of it was financial, but once DH got a better paying job, we knew we could make it financially even if i went to labour early and didn't work the hours i needed to qualify for EI and top up).....and now that i am already 3 months into my leave, i have NO regrets and i know i made the right decision. I can already see how hard it will be when i do have to go back to work full time and i am not looking forward to it :(</p> <p>and i also didn't understand until i had my LO what it means to "cherish every second", because you really do! i used to think babies were kind of boring because they don't do much and i would be fine going back to work...Not true!! i really am cherishing every moment and soooo happy i decided to take the full year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570953 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:30:18 +0000 Beebug 570953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also in Canada and on month four of mat leave......I never thought I'd say this, but I could totally go back now. I've been off since mid-July though, so going on 7 months off work. </p> <p>I as of now am going back Oct 3rd!</p> <p>DH is a teacher and if it weren't for "crappy" parental benefits we likely would have split 6 and 6, I get 93% top up.</p> <p>I think after we have a second I'd want the year, but I'm already looking forward to working for free in Aug and Sept and putting LO in daycare part-time. I seriously love her to bits and do love being home, but being on mat leave made me realize how much I love my job too. </p> <p>Depending on time of year is also part of "ideal" mat leave timing. If DH did take 6/half of mat leave, he'd be off for two of those months anyways (summer) so that takes away from the value of that. I think if I hadn't chosen to go back in next month or two, I might as well take year to have summer off with DH, lol. I think if our first baby was a late winter/spring baby, 6 months would be perfect, get through early days off, summer with DH, then back to work in the Fall! We hope LO #2 is a Spring baby, but with two LOs I will definitely take the year and save daycare $. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570934 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:14:32 +0000 autumnlove 570934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 5-6 months would be nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570901 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:47:23 +0000 sera_87 570901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a Canadian :) I'm determined to take the full year, either with me off or DH off. I paid into these benefits for years for a reason!<br /> Can your husband take the rest of your leave if you decide to go back early? I don't know what your contract is but is there an option to work part-time? Does your school board not offer top-up?<br /> I don't know if/what you qualify for but don't forget to factor in baby bonus into your income calculations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570899 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:45:53 +0000 travelgirl1 570899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm English but live in Canada and both countries offer a year, thankfully. I can't imagine taking less than six months and feel so sorry for mums who have to go back after 12 weeks. I agree with @blackbird: about six months being ideal, but I would like 12. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570891 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:37:36 +0000 blackbird 570891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most women I know have been glad to get back into a routine by the 4th month or so. I think 6 months sounds ideal! It's so hard to predict, though =\. Definitely crunch some numbers and see what makes sense. Even the teachers I know here have small children in daycare, but daycare is much more affordable here (~ $200/week). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570866 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:01:54 +0000 Charm54 570866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@evansjamie: That's crazy....I hope you get the full 12!!</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: I would get paid partially for the summer (based on how many days I worked)... not much, but enough. Good point about the cost of daycare - especially for an infant. I didn't even think about the cost of paying early daycare vs making full salary. Can you tell I'm a total newbie?? lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570857 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:57:15 +0000 Foodnerd81 570857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't really vote because a) i haven't had LO one yet and b) I'm planning to be a SAHM, so my mat leave will be like 5 or 6 years :) </p> <p>But, as a teacher, do you get paid for the summer if you go back before the end of the school year? I know teachers in the US who go back for a month or two at the end of the school and then get paid for the whole summer off, where if they extended their leave by that month or two, they wouldn't get paid for those months OR the next 3 summer months-- so by working 2 months, they get paid for 5. In that case, it might make more of a difference. </p> <p>For me, in the US and used to our barely there leave, I think 6 months sounds pretty good. But only you know how much your lifestyle would have to change to accommodate extra time. Also consider the cost of infant daycare vs the extra income you would get. For me, if I was getting 50% of my pay not working, or 100% while working but paying for daycare, I'd end up with more money by staying home. Daycare is very expensive around here though (and I don't make that much money!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570849 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:54:37 +0000 avivoca 570849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the US, I'm so jealous of your options! I'm not covered under FMLA, so I'm not sure I'll get to take even 12 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-mat-leave-would-you-ideally-take#post-570817 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:24:08 +0000 Charm54 570817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel very fortunate to live in Canada and have the luxury of taking a year if I want to - but I'm not sure how long I should actually take. LO is due in September and I'm trying to decide if I should take until the following September off or go back early.</p> <p>Basically, everyone I knows takes the full year. I don't know anyone who has gone back early. If I take the full year our quality of life will be different next year for sure but not desperate (no big trips, less shopping, etc.). I would make about 1/2 of what I'm making now on maternity leave through govt benefits.</p> <p>Another option is to go back when LO is 6 months next March. I'm a teacher so I could go back to work for April, May, June then have the summer off again with LO until September. This would allow us to maintain somewhat our current lifestyle. So few people do this though that I don't even know if there's a daycare in our area that takes babies that young. </p> <p>I have to tell my district my plans but it's difficult because I don't know if after 6 months I'll be ready to go back or wishing I could savor every last minute with LO and enjoy the full year. </p> <p>What would be your ideal maternity leave length? </p>