Maternity pay

OK, so you are actually advocating that people should plan, you just don't want to call it planning.

If you decide that you can afford a child and to stop taking steps to avoid a pregnancy, that is planning.

Everyone should plan. There's no excuse not to.

Pregnancies typically fall into two categories; planned and accidental.

The number of people who don’t want kids, can’t afford kids and haven’t discussed kids with their partner who are also not using any contraception isn’t really that high a number.

You and your partner never discussing children or contraception, but never using contraception and then being surprised that you got pregnant are the odd ones out.

Responsible adults plan for children, due to finances, space in the house, emotional availability, needs of current children.

My point is not everyone plans so not everyone has the opportunity to save while they are having scheduled sex to 'try' to get pregnant. Nobody is saying public policy should be made on any assumption. If you know you cant afford to have children then you should take the necessary steps to prevent it happening.

OK, what's your point?

In 2025 it is perfectly possible to avoid pregnancy when you don't want to have a baby.

This is where the phrase "family planning" comes from.

I don't think we should be making public policy on the assumption that most people don't plan their families.

The state does support women to have paid maternity leave. The state also ensures our job protection. They really don’t need to pay any more. If you want longer off then save.

Well most responsible people did.

Luckily where I work, I had the choice to spread out my maternity pay evenly over a year, so even though it meant I got slightly less each month, it also meant I didn’t have three months at the end with zero funds coming in. I also saved beforehand so I had money to fall back on if needs be.

Because people still need to have babies. OP contributes to the state, as do we all.

If you're going to ask that, do you also ask why should the state support your decision to drink, smoke, eat too much, ride a horse, go skiing, do DIY? All of those things could land you needing medical services, but were choices.

Most people returning from mat leave will have accrued annual leave plus will be able to have some income from KIT days and perhaps some income tax refunds.
Most people plan to have a child so will have some chance to save - but there are so many expenses eg the last chance luxury holiday, the bigger car, upfront and top-up nursery places etc.

@JasperTheDoll

I don’t believe that you can actually be a fully grown adult but you’ve never heard the phrase, “We’re trying for a baby.” Or “We’re stopping at 2.”

That’s people saying they planned it. They’ve stoping using contraception and they’re “trying” to get pregnant.

Yes, and took a year or more to actually get pregnant so saved for nest part of two years.

I can understand that accidents happen, and that not everyone would feel comfortable terminating an unexpected pregnancy.

But if you're repeatedly having "accidents", that sounds more like carelessness. And leaving things to chance is also a type of "planning" in itself.

But choosing not to use contraception IS planning a baby.

If you and your husband discussed contraception, and decided not to use it then that is the same as agreeing to a baby. No one can be sure they will get pregnant, but the conversation is, “let’s stop using contraception and see if it happens.” Thats what you did. You both agreed to no contraception, and continued having sex - that means a baby could happen.

I don’t know any women (other than a few extreme catholics) who don’t have contraception if they’re in a sexual relationship. The choice to stop using contraception, discussed with their partner, is the conversation and planning to have a baby.

Maybe you dont but I did and I know lots of others who have also done same and not planned pregnancies.

Why should the government fund your choices?
You save or use annual leave to bridge the gap.
If you can't afford to be off 12 months you go back to work

Why should the government fund your choices?
You save or use annual leave to bridge the gap.
If you can't afford to be off 12 months you go back to work

Very funny. People do have sex other than when they are actively trying to get pregnant you know.

I went back at 6 months. I couldn't afford 9 months off work

But you have to stop using contraception in order to have a baby, which means a discussion about when to stop using it. People also plan how many kids they want.
You don’t just use no contraception and have zero planning for another baby in the family.

So it was immaculate conception every time? The babies just miraculously appeared?

Well I did it 3 times. Not once have my dh and I sat there and said let's have a baby.

Had to go back to work. It’s my biggest regret, I wish I’d taken the full year but financially we could t have done it. Savings weren’t enough to get by.

Of course

It's possible to average it out so you get the same amount each month.