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I haven't read about it but it sounds totally insane to only take 2 weeks, especially after having twins! I think it is unhealthy and your body needs time to rest and heal as much as possible. I don't think any doctor would recommend such a short leave. Personally, I think maternity leave in this country is a joke and she is setting a very unhealthy precedent. Not trying to engage in mommy wars but this is something that really bothers me.

@Mrs D: I think it's annoying that people are judging her. Personally, I plan on returning to work not long after having DS2. I work from home and personally I get bored staying home. Everyone to their own! Why judge?!?!

@Mrs D: I work in the same industry as she does, so we talk about her a lot. I am all for personal decision regarding family dynamics, HOWEVER I feel like as a high profile woman/mother CEO she had a HUGE opportunity to shine light on the maternity leave situation in the US, and she failed miserably. I feel like it's setting an unrealistic expectation for mothers who are re-entering the work field after giving birth. What is preventing other CEOs from saying "well if she can do it in her high profile job, why do we need to give 6-8 weeks paid....?" I just think it has huge potential for set back.

I think it sets an unhealthy precedent for expectant and mothers. It's great that she has so much help so she can go back to work that early, but the reality is that 99.9% of working moms don't have that and some people may expect that (well so-and-so was only off for this amount of time, so you really don't need a longer leave).

@Mrs D: quite a few of my friends went stir crazy during maternity leave... I don't think anyone should feel guilty for that

These are some of the comments I read yesterday on a People article that I found infuriating:

"Well, we know what her priorities are, and it’s not staying home and being a mommy. When her children are suddenly teenagers, I wonder if she’ll regret not spending more time with them. She can’t get back those precious years."

"Dear Mom, We were wondering if you could wait until our umbilical cords were cut before running back to work? What’s that, you’re the CEO? Ok. Maybe you’ll be home in time to put us to bed tonight? No? Ok that’s fine. We were hoping you might rock us to sleep before our naps. Pardon? You can’t, you’re at the office? Ok no problem. See you on the weekend? Oh you can’t, you have work to do? Ok. Sounds good. Love, the twins."

"Don’t worry, she’ll see the kids plenty after work. 7pm until 8pm bedtime? That’s a lot you guys! I hope she doesn’t plan on working from home tonight, all those emails can wait until tomorrow morning when she’s back at the office to answer. Hey kids BYE! Didn’t you know Mommy’s a big shot?"

I can't imagine going back to work 2 weeks PP, but I also don't think anyone would make those comments about a male CEO.

@lawbee11: Yeah those are seriously dick comments.

@lawbee11: so rude

@Mrs D: agree. Why should she be an example for all working moms? I certainly don't see her as an example and I can't imagine anyone I work for looking to her as an example.

I don't think it's her responsibility to set a precedent. People on here are constantly telling each other to do what works best for their families and not worry about what anyone else says. Marissa is doing what works best for her, her role and her family, end of story. I don't expect all high profile new mothers to nurse for a full year so they can set the precedent for me to have bosses that are supportive of me pumping for so long, and I would get flamed if I did. I don't see this as much different.

@Mrs D: I call BS that any doctor would recommend returning to work at 2 weeks. For healthy pregnancy and deliveries the standard is 6 weeks.

It sets a terrible precedence for women that need more time. Women that do not have the luxury of having a nursery in the office and need to establish breastfeeding, for example. Employers will look at her and say if she can return at 2 weeks, why can't everyone else? The message it sends is absolutely absurd.

@Truth Bombs: agree

@Mrs D: agree.

@LuLu Mom: YES! Agree agree agree!!! I get that she can return to work whenever she wants and it's her choice, but as a CEO and a woman, it would be nice if she set an example for her company that encouraged people to take time off, or at least didn't make them feel guilty for taking so much time off.

I love that Mark Zuckerberg on the other hand is taking two months off after the birth of his daughter! I think it's fabulous he's setting that example for all his employees and other tech industries.

@ms.line: I agree - it would be nice if she made it clear that her ability to return at 2 weeks with a full nursery on staff was a privilege that most working mothers can't/won't have.

I've been a sahm most of the time but worked for a bit and am going to be looking after the holidays, not planning to stay at home with my younger one who is 2 months. I don't feel an ounce of guilt. Our situation is different, his experience will be different, so what? I would feel guilty if I worked so many hours that I never saw my kids but as far as working in general, people need to mind their own business.

@ms.line: I agree with @Mrs D: that she has been pretty open about her child care arrangements. Maybe the part about physical recovery was the part where she wa getting/anticipated the most backlash being that people know she has help? I dunno.

@Adira: I don't understand how one persons decision affects all working women? It's not like she's campaigning to shorten maternity leave policy at yahoo.

@Mrs D: Granted I only have experience with one OB postpartum but there is no way she would have okayed me working even in that capacity at 2 weeks.

Honestly, I don't get how people can support this unhealthy practice. If Mark Zuckerberg can take an extended paternity leave there is no reason why she can't even take a standard maternity leave.

@LuLu Mom @Adira: I agree- obviously she can return to work after a short leave if she chooses but it would be nice to have an example of a successful woman taking extended leave.

I love that Mark Zuckerberg is setting an example and clearly focusing on his family, but part of me worries that a man is applauded for taking a reasonable leave, but a woman feels pressure to get back to work asap. I know everyone is an individual just like all of us, but sexism does exist and it's alive and well in the tech industry.