https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 17:17:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave/page/2#post-578371 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:26:15 +0000 Arden 578371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Considering we still haven't even been able to pass the paycheck fairness act, I find it hard to believe that we'll see any improvement for working moms anytime soon. </p> <p>If we can't even treat men and women as equals now, then how can we expect to see mothers being given "advantages"? It's disheartening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave/page/2#post-578369 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:17:34 +0000 jedeve 578369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think so. The birth rate in the us is falling, and the government needs to incentivize having children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave/page/2#post-578362 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:52:51 +0000 Charm54 578362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm hoping our (Canada) paternity leave gets better taken advantage of. I've known a few dads who have split the year with the mom but 95% of the time the mom takes the full year. Stereotypes and barriers still exist for them to do so - when I asked DH if he wanted to take some time he assured me that even though legally he could, career-wise it would be suicide to take months off and he would never get a promotion. He also feels bad leaving his company high and dry. The other issue is financial - DH makes a lot more than me so to have HIS salary reduced while on EI would be difficult. </p> <p>I feel like we have moved past the barriers for women - I know taking a year won't affect my job security or career growth at all because its the norm and companies expect it. But we can do a better job supporting dads. </p> <p>That being said what you ladies get in the US is mind boggling and I hope it changes sooner rather than later for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave/page/2#post-578357 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:26:52 +0000 BSB 578357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hergreenapples: Very interesting. Thank you for sharing Canada's maternity/ paternity leave program. Unfortunately, a 'tax' is the last thing that will be passed in the US. I would pay more tax to fund the program but I don't think a lot of people would agree with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave/page/2#post-578354 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:16:55 +0000 BSB 578354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hope it will happen one day. Like others have said, I don't think it will happen soon. Though maybe having a woman as a president may shift things in our favor. I would be completely shocked and happy if it happened in my child bearing years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-578345 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 03:19:56 +0000 sunny 578345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm hoping that we will see something change in the next 10 years. My employer offered a really generous mat leave and I enjoyed every minute of it. I can't imagine having to go back to work after 6 weeks. I could barely drive at 4-5 weeks PP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-577858 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:37:33 +0000 Kemma 577858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be a positive step forward if women were able to take a period of unpaid time off without having to leave their jobs. In NZ the Government pays a nominal amount for fourteen weeks and my employer has to hold my position open pretty much until my LO turns one.</p> <p>I believe that having children is a choice but no Mother should be forced to return to work after just four or six weeks because that's not good for anybody! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-577748 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:13:25 +0000 prettylizy 577748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hergreenapples: So well put. I feel like our EI pot is there for anyone to use if they become unemployed, and often people will pay a lifetime into it and never collect. I have been working and paying into EI for 15+ years by the time I took my mat leave. I'm sure I've more than covered what I took out this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-577720 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:07:58 +0000 MrsH 577720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably not anytime soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-576086 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:08:48 +0000 brownie 576086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would change if employers changed. Ultimately, it is in the good of the business for most businesses to treat their people good especially now a days. They just aren't open to changing their business models. My parallel example would be music. The music industry lost tons of money to piracy at the beginning because they weren't meeting the needs of the people. Then iTunes came out and the price point was right and now (even though they belly ache) music is the least pirated.</p> <p>Google found a way to change their business model. <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/01/google_people_operations_the_secrets_of_the_world_s_most_scientific_human.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/01/google_people_operations_the_secrets_of_the_world_s_most_scientific_human.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-575580 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:16:19 +0000 Emsmems 575580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow @foodnerd81, that mat leave is very generous! Lucky you! </p> <p>It would be nice if just the 12 weeks would be standard and you could get the 66% pay that most short term disability offers. That would be a start! </p> <p>I don't know what would have to change (besides the law, of course) to get better mat leave but I'm like most of you saying I don't see it happening for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-575420 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:48:47 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 575420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With political pressure anything is possible. We may not get paid leave at first, but I think FML will expand and still offer job security. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-575298 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:26:20 +0000 Foodnerd81 575298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think certain companies will begin offering better maternity benefits, the way Google does now, when they see the benefit to them-- it costs them less to give a good employee a few extra months off than the recruit, hire, and train a new employee. I think it would be a bonus perk that would help entice qualified candidates, like really good health insurance and vacation time. </p> <p>I don't see any government program getting much better for a while. It just doesn't go with our current way of doing things and too many people would balk. My current policy is pretty good by US standards-- 2 weeks before due date, 6 or 8 weeks after, all paid, then I can start my 12 weeks unpaid FMLA-- so I technically could take 20 weeks off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-575113 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:55:00 +0000 apis 575113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would also be nice if some paternity leave or flex-time between maternity and paternity leave was organised. I had five days off, including the delivery day (!) and then had to take vacation for another week or two in order to be around my newborn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-575056 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:47:29 +0000 heartonastring 575056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there's a general misunderstanding about how maternity leave is funded in Canada (can't speak for other countries, as I'm not familiar with their systems) that leads it to being seen as an "entitlement program." </p> <p>Employed Canadians (those who are employed by outside agencies, the rules have changed somewhat for self-employed individuals, but I don't think they are the same) are required to contribute to Employment Insurance. That means that a deduction is taken off every single pay cheque and it goes into the EI pot (obviously a very simplistic explanation, but you get what I mean). If we lose our jobs or want to take maternity leave, we can then draw on that money in order to have some income. The income is nominal - 55% of your salary to a maximum of $501/week, less taxes. So it's not that the government has a huge pot of money that they're doling out to mothers - it's essentially a tax (and yes, the issue of taxation is a whole other contentious issue that I'm not even going to get into here) to which we've contributed and then are drawing back on. Further, you have to work a minimum number of hours before you qualify. I suppose the argument can be made that those who don't have children are helping pay the way of those of us who do, and while that's true, it's also a matter of personal choice, as well as our society's socialist bent, which recognizes the value of contributing to the "greater good." </p> <p>Some employers do then pay additional money in order to "top up" their employee's salaries - for example, my employer tops my salary up to 95% for the first 17 weeks of my leave and for the remaining 35 weeks I'll receive the $501/week - but they are not in any way bound to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-575041 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:44:09 +0000 cascademom 575041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Aww, thanks. My MIL has always wanted a certain type of relationship with DH's former girlfriends. She played me off of this relationship, treated me horribly throughout the years, then at one point, wanted a relationship, but it was too late. I found coping mechanisms to deal with it. Once we married, she backed off for a bit. Even during pregnancy, I kept the lines of communication open. Once they visited though, she did what she always do and it blew up because I couldn't stand it. Our relationship is where it is now from the fight. I'm just not playing her game and she hates it. I'm hoping to get through a visit with them soon to get it over with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-575007 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:39:13 +0000 cascademom 575007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Aww hugs! My parents really respected our need for space, etc. They would visit on Wednesdays and do laundry while I showered and ate. My inlaws, not so much. That same awful MIL visit she went out to dinner with my DH on her last night, leaving me and the baby at home to fend for myself. She did laundry one day after the big fight at 10-11pm at night with the lights all on. No wonder the baby didn't sleep well with that. By the time she left, I had a full basket of laundry to do. Oh yeah, she washed her clothes but none of mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574986 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:36:35 +0000 MsLipGloss 574986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CascadeMom: If it makes you feel any better, my mom pitched a royal fit the day we brought BabyGloss home . . . it could have been much worse (if I had reacted to her . . . but I didn't . . . I am sure it was because I was too exhausted!), but even so, it really upset me on what was pretty much the happiest day/time of my life, and it has changed our relationship forever. And it was for similar reasons . . . her expectations on what our relationship was supposed to magically morph into once I had the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574975 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:35:34 +0000 loveisstrange 574975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that it would just be seen as an entitlement program too. Unfortunately, factions within our government are trying to cut all sorts of social programs so proposing another one seems like a disaster. </p> <p>I do think it needs to be done though. Even a program like the UK or Canada, where the mother only makes a percentage of her salary, is better than nothing at all. I don't think it will be within our generation that we see it happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574968 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:34:27 +0000 mrbee 574968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One day, I hope that affordable childcare and broader parental leave programs are funded by the government!</p> <p>I think it's ok to ask larger corporations to fund part of the cost, but can't really see how small businesses could afford it... that's why I think it would have to be largely government funded. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574965 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:34:01 +0000 MsLipGloss 574965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CascadeMom @WinnieBee: Yeah . . . *helpful*. My mom didn't appreciate how stressful the end of my pregnancy was. She actually flew in almost week before I told her she could (during my last week in the office), and planned to stay for much longer than we had discussed (we discussed 2 weeks, she booked her return ticket for a month after her arrival). They didn't end up staying that long (that is a story for another time :( ), but O-M-G it was uber stressful! (I literally left my office on a Friday afternoon for an OB appointment, and during the appointment, was sent to L&amp;D to be induced.)</p> <p>My mom had *no* appreciation for the fact that I only got 12 weeks of maternity leave (6 paid, 6 unpaid), and that I wanted to maximize time with my LO because I would have to return to work so soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574958 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:32:35 +0000 immabeetoo 574958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hope so! I also think paternal leave should be more common. I think discrimination against moms and women will lessen as younger generations of dads are more involved. If both parents got time off and enough men took it so there wasn't a stigma, I think it would even out a bit. I also wish people would stop glorifying those who go back quickly by choice (like yahoos CEO) To each their own but I think maternity leave leads to happier healthier babies and mamas. I cannot imagine not having a choice or having to go back right away like I know many lower income or single income parents are forced to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574949 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:31:10 +0000 cascademom 574949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: She's especially "helpful." Her visit was the showdown that was poised to happen eventually where she finally figured out that I don't want the type of relationship she wants. She just happened to do it on my maternity leave. After the big fight, she spent all of her time in his nursery, like camped out. So ridiculous. After that, I was more than ready to return to work and not be in my own home for an extended period of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574937 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:28:01 +0000 winniebee 574937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cascademom: Ugh, family can be so "helpful" sometimes.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574904 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:21:48 +0000 cascademom 574904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I wish I had fond memories of my maternity leave. The last couple of weeks were made horrible by my MIL's disastrous visit and finding a daycare at the same time. I guess I'm still resentful of how his family visited for 2 whole weeks in my short maternity leave, one of them being on my total PTO time. I worked up until the day I delivered, so my PTO was hard earned. That was totally lost on my MIL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574886 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:18:16 +0000 winniebee 574886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cascademom: We were BROKE, but it was worth it. I will always have very fond memories of my maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574878 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:16:42 +0000 mrsmenow 574878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I agree.</p> <p>I don't see maternity leave ever changing for the better in this country. I think the few companies that offer paid or extended leave will slowly dwindle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574875 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:15:49 +0000 cascademom 574875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I was happy with 8 weeks paid, 4 weeks unpaid or using PTO. I saved up all of my PTO so we wouldn't be without income for that month. I wish that my office would offer up to 6 months unpaid. I would have gladly taken it and stressed less about pumping output. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574862 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:11:58 +0000 Smurfette 574862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hope so, but I doubt it. So sad </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-mamas-do-you-think-youll-see-a-shift-in-maternity-leave#post-574849 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:09:55 +0000 2PeasinaPod 574849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that it will be seen as an entitlement program as well. I don't personally think that it is, but some will certainly see it that way. </p> <p>I can't remember if I saw this on HB or if I saw it somewhere else, but this article really made me sad that the US is so far behind so many other countries.</p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/maternity-leave-paid-parental-leave-_n_2617284.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/maternity-leave-paid-parental-leave-_n_2617284.html</a> </p>