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It doesn't yet, we only have one kid so far, and had always planned on two. But, I can maybe see wanting a third kid someday. I don't know if I'd be so open to the idea if we had American-style maternity leaves. I don't enjoy pumping, and I'm not sure I could manage it long-term. Also, child care is really expensive under 18 mo., and there aren't many spaces. One of the election promises from the winning party in the last election was to increase parental leave to 18 mo, but at a lower rate of pay. I'm divided on that, and part of me thinks that it would just be better to subsidize daycare for under 18 mo and open more spots.

I won't get a maternity leave with #3 because #2 & #3 will be too close together.
I wouldn't say that the leave has effected our family planning, but taking a year off multiple times in a few short years has put my boss in a difficult position. My role is hard to fill and she has had a hard time finding temporary employees that are suitable and willing to work on a short contract.

I think normal family spacing 2-3 years between children makes the workplace situation tricky. Add in a third or fourth child and you've got to replace someone every other year for six or eight years. It's tough. I think a three or four month maternity leave would make that bit easier.

That said, I have loved being home with my girls and am so so so grateful that we have had this time and that our government supports families in this way.

@Charm54: I know I have asked this before, but I am going to ask again because I can't keep it straight, is it self paid, as in, you only can take out what you've paid into the system?

@looch: Chiming in! It's partially self-paid, as in we contribute each pay, and our employer contributes, and the government contributes. But if you never ever use it (not just for mat leave, this is for "employment insurance", so everyone who works pays in), you don't get it back. And if you haven't paid in enough to cover your leave, it doesn't matter... it doesn't run out.

No. I wouldn't have more children.

@looch: ya, so you pay into EI (Employment Insurance) as you work, up to a maximum of about 950$ a year. Then if you lose your job or go on parental leave, or can't work for a number of reasons, you collect from that fund (as long as you have worked X amount of hours) So some people may never collect from EI and still pay into it, and some people will collect more than they ever contribute.

I'll have gotten almost $50,000 in benefits for my two leaves by the time I'm done. It will be almost a lifetime of working before my husband and myself would contribute that much to the fund.

I don't think so because more kids would be a lot in the long run, not just the first year. It might change the timing, but then I don't know. If I was out for a year with my son I'd only have a year back now instead of almost 2 so I might not be ready to try again.

@looch: well that's actually how it works here too, since it's a percentage based on what you make. But if you contribute more, you get more, up to the maximum stated above.

Not everyone gets the 1800$ per month.

@sera_87: ah, okay, I misread, assuming that everyone pays $950, but in re-reading I see that is not the case!

So the max anyone could recieve is $1800, split $950 as self contributed and the balance split between the company and the government?

Honestly, it would depend on more than just childcare. My parents are willing to watch any future (haha) children. But, we have $1000 in health care payments every month and we would have to pay about $6k for the birth. So, it's not leave, it's $$ that keeps us from having another.

@looch: ok I'm sure the company also contributes through its taxes but we never see that, really. So if you were taxed at the highest percentage, you'd contribute 950$ per year into this huge pot where all working Canadians contribute. Then, when you go on leave (and EI can be used for stuff other than maternity leave), you'd receive 1800$/month from the government.

Now, some companies offer a 'top up' and its up to the company itself to choose what kind and how long to do so. So for example, one school board could offer to top up to 90% of your pay (EI is 55%) for 6 months, while another could offer 75% for 3.
Lots of companies don't though; it's not mandatory.

I absolutely think I'd at least consider a 3rd if benefits are better and I can take a longer leave. Yes, a 3rd is still more expensive, but I feel like it's the short leave, unpaid, etc that really makes it hard in the beginning.

It's actually a huge factor I'm taking into consideration in deciding whether to have a second or not. I'll likely be able to do 12 weeks (fmla, and I think my company does 6 weeks paid at 60%, and then if I can accumulate enough PTO I can cover an additional 6 weeks full pay). But I really wish I could do six months. I stayed home with my first for a year, and it was insanely hard financially, but I'm so glad I did it. Then I went to work part time, and didn't start him in daycare full time until a year ago (at 2.5). I was so lucky to be able to do it that way. But I likely couldn't if I had a second.

@looch: one thing to add is that you will need to have worked a minimum number of hours in the last 52 weeks prior to going on leave to be eligible. You should also think of EI payroll deductions as a tax. There is a max annual amount you have to pay for Canadian Pension Plan and Employmeny Insurance and some max out if they are higher earners and others may not pay that amount. Companies also have to pay EI and CPP but it's at a different rate.
Here is a link if you are curious: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/faq/faq_general.shtml

@sera_87: @Charm54: @anagram: the max has gone up to $2020 per month.

To answer the original question, NO! My company tops up 70% for 17 weeks and I have to say we only feel a pinch in the last 2 months of leave (bc DS started daycare early) but I have no desire to have more kids.

No, it wouldn't change my plans. There's a lot more to raising a kid than the first year!

@regberadaisy: Same, we want a third but waiting until DD1 is in kindergarten, if we had a year paid I would push the timeline up sooner for sure!

@regberadaisy: honestly a bigger factor is cost of daycare. For me at least.

I never answered! But no, it wouldn't affect my decision.

@Anagram: I also think that the NJ soultion could be extended. I would love to see it topped up by employers, but given the direction they are moving with passing more of the cost of health insurance to employees, I don't see that happening. I'd personally love to see more subsidized child care.

@oliviaoblivia: I've been meaning to ask you....how did your boss take it when you broke the news?

I think my lack of leave will change the number of children only in that we'll have to adjust the timing between them, which probably means fewer children in the long run. My situation is a bit different, though, as I'm in the middle of a doctoral program. When I had LO, I was able to take a bit of time off, and then the semester ended, so that was helpful. But I really could have used more time, as I'm pretty sure the stress of it all contributed to the PPD/PPA that I battled for over a year. I could technically take a leave of absence after a child, but then I would not get paid, and I would lose my health insurance. So, I didn't.