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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Extend paid maternity leave for 3 months because of the virus

118 replies

AmazingGrace16 · 23/04/2020 21:25

There is currently a petition for maternity leave to be extended by 3 months (paid) so that those who have missed out on their mummy play dates and lattes can have time to do this.

Aibu or is it an awful,selfish idea?!

It's got over 100k signatures so it's going to be discussed with a response.

Yabu- it's a brilliant idea
Yanbu-it's a terrible idea

OP posts:
Dreamingofprosecco · 23/04/2020 21:27

YANBU

user1493413286 · 23/04/2020 21:27

I’m currently on maternity leave and as nice as that would be I feel it’s not a priority given how much money the government is having to spend to keep people afloat. It’s been hard not being able to see family but I’ve still had this time with my DS.

WombatStewForTea · 23/04/2020 21:31

I'm on mat leave. I'd love it to be extended but unpaid. Selfishly I do feel like my mat leave has been stolen from me. Baby was 6 weeks when lockdown started. We'd just started to make friends at a baby group. Yes we get to spend time together at home but it's so lonely. Can't even do anything productive like learning a new skill because my hands are always holding a baby and while she's amazing her conversation skills leave a lot to be desired Grin

Ihavenoregrets · 23/04/2020 21:33

No doubt started by someone without the faintest idea on how many firms are struggling financially.

GrumpyHoonMain · 23/04/2020 21:33

I would be happy for it to be offered unpaid and I actually think many employers would bite the government’s hand off as it could reduce wage costs from this and next year’s wage bill.

Selfsettling3 · 23/04/2020 21:35

If people want families to be supported then I would vote for paid leave for people who have children under 5 and both parents or the sole parent is trying to work from home full time.

Teacher12345 · 23/04/2020 21:35

I get that people feel time has been stolen but I think this is ridiculous. Many will have their husbands home, even if they are working, which gives them bonding time as a family more than they would normally get and they have better job security because they are on MAT leave so already on a reduced wage which they had time to prepare for. Yes some are also going to struggling if there other half is made redundant whilst they are on MAT leave but this could be said even without COVID. Financial help has never been more accessible.

comingintomyown · 23/04/2020 21:36

Sigh

Original poster
AmazingGrace16 · 23/04/2020 21:36

Yes I think it's the paid bit that really wound me up.

And that it's going to be something else for the government to discuss and respond to. What a waste of government time.

OP posts:
RoscoePColtrane · 23/04/2020 21:36

It's fucking ridiculous. Maternity leave is for mother and baby to be together and mother to adjust and recover. It is not for mother to develop an Instagram lifestyle. If you want to be a good mother, parent your child. Your child literally does not give a flying fuck what you do in the first 12 months other than love them and look after them. Babies will probably cope just fine with the disappointment of missing out Glastonbury, baby yoga or Borough Market.

Ihavenoregrets · 23/04/2020 21:37

And it's hardly vital either, Just more self indulgent crap from a certain sector of parents

suenamai · 23/04/2020 21:38

Already been several threads on this OP

NeverForgetYourDreams · 23/04/2020 21:40

Can't see why need to extend. Maternity leave is about bonding with baby and lockdown is perfect for that

Don't need baby yoga

Lavenderpurple · 23/04/2020 21:40

Yanbu.

PinkiOcelot · 23/04/2020 21:40

This is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.

PinkSpring · 23/04/2020 21:41

I am currently on maternity leave and I do feel a bit sad that it's not going how I planned - however this is my second and I wasn't interested in doing any baby groups this time around (I hated them the first time) and I already have a group of mum friends who I keep in touch with.

As much as I would love to have my maternity leave extended and paid for, it's not going to happen and even if they offered to extend it it unpaid, a lot of people - me included - probably couldn't afford to take it!

At the end of the day, it's not a priority at the moment and my baby doesn't know any different.

hm246 · 23/04/2020 21:41

Was sent the petition from a friend. I was just getting into a routine and starting to enjoy baby groups when lockdown started, as much as I would love an extra 3 months it’s not a priority. I’d much rather that money went towards PPE on the front line and support for people finding them unemployed. Definitely agree with you.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 23/04/2020 21:42

Very annoying for those of us having to carry on work and place ourselves and our families at increased risk of contracting covid19.

I understand it must be a very stressful time for new parents but it's a difficult time for all of us and none of us can get this time back.

Purplequalitystreet · 23/04/2020 21:44

I'm on mat leave and honestly, the only justification I could see for this would be if lockdown continued and my employer didn't have to pay me for another 3 months. I'm hoping that people will have returned to work by the time I return cos the idea of WFH and looking after a baby doesn't fill me with joy! Hats off to all the parents of young children who are doing just that.

amazedmummy · 23/04/2020 21:44

Do I feel like lockdown is stealing my maternity leave? Yes.
Do I think that's anyone else's problem? No.
I'd love to be able to afford to take the unpaid bit of my maternity leave but I can't. I'll be back to work in July and at this rate I don't even know if lockdown will be lifted. I'm an essential worker so I'll be going back either way.
It's a nice idea but it's not fair and it won't happen.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 23/04/2020 21:44

Maternity is twelve months, absolutely no reason to need another three.

Sheer madness to expect money for this when we have people risking their lives daily as key workers who deserve pay rises much more than baby groups and coffee mornings.

WeakAndWeary · 23/04/2020 21:44

YABU to publicise this bollocks again and also for misuse of the vote function.

Original poster
AmazingGrace16 · 23/04/2020 21:46

How did I misuse the vote function? I've not done it before so please let me know

OP posts:
KylieKoKo · 23/04/2020 21:47

My life isn't as I'd planned it at the moment. I'd like an extra 3 months off work so I can catch up on all the socialising I missed. Aibu?

TheCraicDealer · 23/04/2020 21:58

I'm on mat leave and due to go back in July but I just can't get on board with this. I don't know how the government are supposed to be able to prioritise this alongside all the furlough payments and loans to small businesses, and I don't really see why it's necessary. DD is six months and all she wants is me or DH. We're still able to go for walks, spend time outside, play lots and do other activities. I wish I could keep going to my mums' fitness class where I was beginning to make friends, but DD doesn't really care.

Yeah it's not how I wanted to spend my last few months of mat leave but pretty much everyone has something they're really disappointed about. People have had their weddings cancelled, dream holidays cancelled, funeral services banned, not being able to spend time with seriously ill relatives, house purchases delayed, exams, proms and leavers days cancelled, operations indefinitely delayed- I could go on. We're all making sacrifices and tbh I think not going to baby groups is pretty small fry.