Canadian Moms - mat leave

mamatobec · August 2013

To my fellow CDN moms! Are you loving your year mat leave?!

After reading so many posts of other women going back to work after 6 weeks, I am so thankful we have a year mat leave here in Canada. I could not imagine leaving my little one right now as I feel like this time is so precious. I haven't been on here in awhile so I am just definitely taking a moment to realize how lucky we really are in our great country

blush64 · August 2013

I was just thinking about this. I have been reading back to work posts and I really do feel lucky that I don't go back until baby is just over a year. I know that daycares and home daycares can be amazing places with really caring and qualified workers but it would be nice if everyone got the chance to decide when they wanted to go back.

I'm all for it if a woman wants to go back to work but I just feel sad when someone would prefer more time off. I can not imagine having to leave A yet, I couldn't do it.

LaxMOM44 · August 2013

DH is doing two months of my leave and I think that's super important for LO and him. I can't imagine only having 6 wks and not being able to let them having some time together.

LaxMOM44 · August 2013

Not to mention having to go back to work and still take care of LO I'm the evenings. I have so much respect for the working moms.

mommatotwo2 · August 2013

mamatobec said:

To my fellow CDN moms! Are you loving your year mat leave?!

After reading so many posts of other women going back to work after 6 weeks, I am so thankful we have a year mat leave here in Canada. I could not imagine leaving my little one right now as I feel like this time is so precious. I haven't been on here in awhile so I am just definitely taking a moment to realize how lucky we really are in our great country

Thanks for making me feel extra depressed about going back tommorow

snowgirl427 · August 2013

Is your year leave paid or unpaid?

I really feel like the US has moved away from the family unit and it makes me sad. I work for a great company with great benefits. I could have stayed out ( with full pay) until end of sept but went back last week working 3 days a week ( using 2 days of leave per week). I can do this into jan. all said I was out 4 months straight and will work part time for almost 5 more months at full pay. It better than most but I wish it was longer.

kelly422 · August 2013

mommatotwo2 said:

mamatobec said:

To my fellow CDN moms! Are you loving your year mat leave?!

After reading so many posts of other women going back to work after 6 weeks, I am so thankful we have a year mat leave here in Canada. I could not imagine leaving my little one right now as I feel like this time is so precious. I haven't been on here in awhile so I am just definitely taking a moment to realize how lucky we really are in our great country

Thanks for making me feel extra depressed about going back tommorow

Ditto. Super sad my leave is coming to an end

katester42 · August 2013

snowgirl427 said:

Is your year leave paid or unpaid? I really feel like the US has moved away from the family unit and it makes me sad. I work for a great company with great benefits. I could have stayed out ( with full pay) until end of sept but went back last week working 3 days a week ( using 2 days of leave per week). I can do this into jan. all said I was out 4 months straight and will work part time for almost 5 more months at full pay. It better than most but I wish it was longer.

Our leave is paid. Our employers don't pay us it's paid out as EI by the government at 55% of our yearly earnings. We're pretty lucky.

blush64 · August 2013

beaubecca said:
A question I have always wondered is what do you Canadian moms do when you plan to have more than one child close together?
DH and I want to start TTC in a couple months. If I took off for a year I might only be back at work for a couple months before being off again. We want 4 kids total and if I took a year per child I think my career would really suffer and so would my sanity!
Does this kind of situation hurt your careers? Are your jobs held? Do moms in this situation feel like they are being held back or trapped in mommyland if they want kids close together? I know the year is optional but is it frowned upon to go back sooner? Just curious!

You need 600 hours to qualify so you could come back barely pregnant and still get enough hours to qualify even after taking a year off. It's not frowned on to come back early. I know a few women who choose to do that. Your job is held unless the position no longer exists and they would have to give you a job of equal pay and responsibility. I haven't seen it hurt someone's career but depending on your boss I suppose it could. (obviously not legally))

I certainly don't feel trapped in mommyland, I would love to never leave it. There plenty of sane stay at home moms so while you might feel you couldn't handle it and stay sane, it's possible. And it's equally as respectable and fulfilling as working when that's what the woman wants. Men can use some of the time as well. Mom doesn't have to use it all.

It just depends on what you feel comfortable with and what you want.

telicious2 · August 2013

Is your position at your job protected and held for you during the year leave?

blush64 · August 2013

rea1687 said:
Is your position at your job protected and held for you during the year leave?

Your job is held unless the position no longer exists and they would give you a comparable job with the same rate of pay. Your time off counts toward seniority as well. (But you don't acrue vacation time)

snowgirl427 · August 2013

Shantxtell said:
Lucky bishes

I second this lol!

blush64 · August 2013

beaubecca said:

blush64 said:

I certainly don't feel trapped in mommyland, I would love to never leave it. There plenty of sane stay at home moms so while you might feel you couldn't handle it and stay sane, it's possible. And it's equally as respectable and fulfilling as working when that's what the woman wants. Men can use some of the time as well. Mom doesn't have to use it all.

It just depends on what you feel comfortable with and what you want.
Oh I totally didnt mean that as a dig or judgement. I was just wondering how I would feel if I had the choice to take a year off. I love my job so much but I love my LO too! I'm sad I couldnt stay home longer but I was just curious if the culture in Canada was one where most women use all their leave and how long they are out. If it turns most women into SAHs or if its just so part of the norm that women can miss a year of work and slide right back into place. Its mind boggling and I'm jealous that you ladies have the choice!

No, sorry, I didn't mean a bad tone either. I know women who could not handle being home with only their baby. (Most od my co-workers) it would drive them insane and I do know women whi seriously could not imagine wanting to be at hone. My SIL plans on taking as little time as possible although I know she will love her LO. I think it's quite possible that some women feel pressured to take the time off. I never want to miss a moment but I think it's more because of the fact that my sons are older and I am so aware of how time goes even when I want to slow it down.(I am still dealing with learning to let go) My oldest is almost 18.

Kashy · August 2013

beaubecca said:

I certainly don't feel trapped in mommyland, I would love to never leave it. There plenty of sane stay at home moms so while you might feel you couldn't handle it and stay sane, it's possible. And it's equally as respectable and fulfilling as working when that's what the woman wants. Men can use some of the time as well. Mom doesn't have to use it all. It just depends on what you feel comfortable with and what you want.
Oh I totally didnt mean that as a dig or judgement. I was just wondering how I would feel if I had the choice to take a year off. I love my job so much but I love my LO too! I'm sad I couldnt stay home longer but I was just curious if the culture in Canada was one where most women use all their leave and how long they are out. If it turns most women into SAHs or if its just so part of the norm that women can miss a year of work and slide right back into place. Its mind boggling and I'm jealous that you ladies have the choice!

In Canada it is really only 13 weeks that is Mat leave and then the rest is considered parental leave. You can take it all or go back to work whenever you like. Also Dad's can use some of this time as well as parental leave.

I am personally loving all my time off and am sort of dreading going back to work in May.

All of the posts about people going back to work already makes me feel very lucky to have all the time we get here in Canada.

lizziebooper · August 2013

I too am happy to get a year off and I am also lucky that I get a top up over and above my EI from my employer as well. I make almost the same as I do when working because I am not paying childcare. My medical benefits stay active when I am off too so that is a bonus.

TheyCalledHerKate · August 2013

I'm a Canadian living in the US and would love more than 12 weeks off with my baby. It literally makes my heart hurt that I have to go back on Tuesday. All of my Canadian friends ask me "how can you leave her when she's so little" and sometimes I think Canadians don't realize how hurtful it can be to say that to a new mom who doesn't get a year off.

LaxMOM44 · August 2013

So don't freak out atme but I totally feel pressured to take the whole year and I don't want to. I miss my job but I have heard from lots of people that I need to take the full year, like that's what moms have to sacrifice for their kid. That's part of the reason H is doing a couple months. So that we don't seem like parents who care more about their careers then their LO. It was definitely something we talked about when we were ttc. It also sucks financially to be at Hal my wage for a year.

Also my sister's career definitely suffered. Not to get all feminist up in here, but since often men don't take a year off, they tend to be able to advance faster in their careers since they are able to take promotions as they open up. Don't know if I'm explaining mysel properly, so tired... LO has a cold,

Kashy · August 2013

laxminavkar said:

So don't freak out atme but I totally feel pressured to take the whole year and I don't want to. I miss my job but I have heard from lots of people that I need to take the full year, like that's what moms have to sacrifice for their kid. That's part of the reason H is doing a couple months. So that we don't seem like parents who care more about their careers then their LO. It was definitely something we talked about when we were ttc. It also sucks financially to be at Hal my wage for a year. Also my sister's career definitely suffered. Not to get all feminist up in here, but since often men don't take a year off, they tend to be able to advance faster in their careers since they are able to take promotions as they open up. Don't know if I'm explaining mysel properly, so tired... LO has a cold,

I get what you are saying. While I am totally loving being home with my DS and am grateful for the year, I do not think I could be a stay at home mom and not work.
Also there are tons of great moms who work and do not take the full year. You just do what is right for you and your family.

LaxMOM44 · August 2013

Victoria is beautiful. You should just go visit. In fact all of B.C is really beautiful.

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