To ask who signed the extension of mat leave and why?

[Tjsmumma]

Self explanatory really..

If you signed it why? Why do you feel you and entitled to more time paid? Do you think being in lockdown is more of a right to more time of PAID than people who have babies who are delivered early or need NICU stays?

I am myself on maternity with a 19 week old and i still do not think its fair to say 'i need more time off paid because i wasnt able to go to a mother and baby group' theres plenty of time to go after.

I can sort of understand if you are due to go back and cant find child care but surely you can be furloughed or claim SSP/Benefits during this time like the rest of the country?

Why would you be indoors with a baby 24/7 even in lockdown?

We are all struggling, for different reasons. Your struggles aren’t more special because you’ve had a baby.

Not sure where you’ve gotten the first part from at all? I can 100% tell you have weaned a breastfed baby from the breast. I would pay you a grand if you got my child to take a bottle of milk 🤣🤣🤣 It has nothing to do with food, he is fully weaned. Without sounding rude as it’s not my intention, maybe educate yourself on the matter on weaning a baby off of a breast and onto a bottle, look at how they suggest you do it. In terms of what I think, I obviously only know what would benefit me to be honest. I’m having to take the extra 3 months (the unpaid extension) which will make us suffer financially, as there is no nursery for my son to go to nor do I think it’s right for him to go the way he is now. I personally think an extension of 3 months on SMP would benefit to me. 3 months would also tie in well as it was the amount of time we are/will be on lockdown I believe? To make it fair it would have to apply for everyone on maternity apart from those who had literally just ended. Again, this is all based on my own circumstances.

That should of been haven’t not have!

Many people who have signed it probably haven't considered that they may not even have a job to go back to after all this

Was this to me? How could I not be with my baby 24/7 during lockdown? Where else are we gonna go

I never said my struggles were more than anyone because I’ve had a baby? Perhaps they are, you don’t know any of my personal circumstances? The OP asked for who did and why I believe, so I’ve replied a few reasons why I signed. I’m not sure what your struggles are.. I’m sure if there was a petition to help with your struggle you’d sign it though

@bumptobean

I don’t understand your argument re weaning. What is it? 2 year old still BF here as he wouldn’t take a bottle (of expressed milk), ever. But what’s your point?

No it’s not normal to have a baby at home all the time. But for a few months, as long as they have their mother (and ideally father), then that’s all that axtually matters. Plus, presumably, you are taking them for walks in the buggy or sling so they can still get some fresh air and see the trees etc.

@crispysausagerolls it was in regards to how I don’t feel my 6 month old is ready to go to nursery for 8 hours a day as I can’t wean him off the breast due to lockdown. I’m sure if you attempt to wean him onto a bottle you’ll have tried many times to separate yourself from your child while someone gives the bottle etc. I’m not sure what 6 month old can go 8 hours a day without milk nor is that good for their health. He also has seperation anxiety from being joined to my hip, someone said that would happen anyway and I said it isn’t comparable. This situation is totally different. Not sure why people are highly concerned on the fact I’m opting to not send my son to nursery (not that I can anyway as there are none open he can even join!) because of this reason and that an extension of SMP would benefit me as it covers the unpaid leave I’ll take I thought the OP was asking people why they signed so I gave my reason based on my circumstance. You obviously have a different circumstance to me..

@bumptobean, I think the question related to your claim that you have to stay indoors with your baby 24 hours a day without seeing any other people. Are you really never taking him out?

@bumptobean I have weaned 2 children off the beast. You dont need to not be around them. Our routine stayed pretty much the same. One is 15 and one 9. They are fine.

Every issue you have raised inoact most parents. So what you are suggesting is that all parents get 3 months off.

My son has hfa. Getting him to back to school will be horrendous. Do I get 3 months off?

Childcare will also be a huge issue. Many nurseries will close, permanently. There will be less places. Breakfast and afterschoolm clubs may not be able to take as many children etc.

Of course you can have your opinion. And everyone else can reply and have their opinion.

My opinion is that nothing anyone has stated on this thread in support of it, has been exclusive to women currently on mat leave. Which is why it doesn't make sense.

To make it fair it would have to apply for everyone on maternity apart from those who had literally just ended. Again, this is all based on my own circumstances.

Nothing about this is fair. At all. It can never be fair.

Why is it fair if women who have just gone back don't get it. They are facing the same problems you might be facing. They are facing them now. Why is their need any less than yours might be in several months time?

@bumptobean did you only just start introducing a bottle? My DD has happily taken a bottle of EBM from 5 weeks because we introduced it at the recommended time. Also, if baby is eating solids then a bottle of milk while gone will really only be a discomfort to you (engorged) Breast milk = food (also a lot of other thinga) but, also if he is fully weaned its not so much of an issue i.e in the way of nutrition :)

I dont see nurseries closing for much longer.

A lot of people take it, because we are eligible for it. How would you of done it then? Most nurseries only do one settling in visit which you are not advised (obviously you can but that's not the point, to settle you, its for baby) to be therw for so they can calm and show baby. So you'd be leaving with a complete stranger any way, everyone does this regardless of lockdown or not. A lot of people and babies aren't socialised with lots abd lots of people, surely there was months prior to lockdown to do this, if DC has been around other people this doesn't magically disappear. Its the same as nurseries closing for holidays, babies need to resettle. It is life, babies cope. Do you have any knowledge on babies development? So even with babiea who are a week old? What about mums that just gone back or went back at the start (surely thats the exact same as anyone jist starting??)

You need to go onto UC and see how much you are now eligible for, and if circumstances are still the same in 3 months you claim parental leave, if not, what happena then? Even if you get that 3 months, what happens if it prolongs after? Do you want more after?

@Tjsmumma Have I read it right in that you are saying a baby wouldn’t actually need milk after 6 months? Food is not the source of nutrition at all. Please have a read up online because that is so alarming.

I’m not sure why I carried writing here to be honest when everything I’ve said has mostly been so misconstrued and bended. The reason nobody on this thread can understand it is because they are trying everything they can to not get it. The petition has been signed by thousands so everyone who has signed it are wrong?Is everyone here commenting against even on maternity leave really, been in every circumstance that people who signed the petition has? Definitely put myself into a lions den by commenting on here didn’t I!

@bumptobean, I had children who wouldn't take milk from bottles. Basically what I did was to move them on to food and introduced water from a cup, so that when I went back to work they had that during the day and I carried on breast feeding when I was at home. It worked fine.

@bumptobean did i say that at all?! I said a 'missed feed' if you read back my words properly. Also, someone else giving the bottle is more beneficial. Baby missing a feed or two from you but still having ushal feeds (just before and after) and solids while out of your care is not going to harm.

Haha so just because we don't feel its necessary we cant be on maternity leave or in circumstances similar. I am on SMP so get pittance compared to most people on ML and struggling EVERY month to find the money for everything. I would be in the ezact same circumstances as you are. But, there are other things in place which you clearly do not understand or want to understand!

Yes maybe you shouldn't of commented if you cant handle a simple debate or people pointing out that what you are gojng through is what prettt much every mother is going through, not just us on ML.

Nearly every EBF baby whos mother returns to work has to adapt, some stop completely waaay before 6 months. If you feel that is totally necessary then either take leave until DC is a year and stop completely? Would you then want another 6 months paid for that? Or just because lockdown is happening?

You’re so very wrong. What other things are in place that I’m not understanding sorry? This isn’t a debate really though is it.. you are trying your hardest to be awkward. And that’s it from me! Fingers crossed for myself and the 180K that signed!!

Im currently pregnant with my first child and I'm in a place where I'm entitled to 45 days of mat leave only (including weekends). Although I believe this is probably too short and will break my heart when it comes to the time of me returning to work, I'm struggling to understand people who are getting 9-12 months off wanting more as some of that time didn't meet their imaginary standards of what it should have been.

Anyone voting for this, any suggestions which services should be cut to fund it?

@bumptobean you do realise 180k isn't very much.

It won't pass. Because the points raised in the petition do not make sense.

What it comes down is simply 'i am not getting the maternity leave I want

Well no one is getting the days off they want, the annual leave, the unpaid leave or anything else they want.

If they give it to you on chare grounds. It need to given too all parents, because there isn't one argument that's applicable to only women on mat leave.

The country and economy can't afford every mother to be paid to be off at the end of this. Or rather parent.

I do find it odd that no one is suggesting you take parented leave. Then, where the father is in the picture, he takes it. 8 weeks leave....there you go.

Wonder why no is asking for more time for dads?

So if you had booked four weeks holiday this month for an exotic trip to celebrate a big family anniversary but the trip was postponed because of the restrictions would you be contentedly stay at home on paid holiday or would you attempt to move your paid holiday to the new dates?

I find it incredibly sad for your baby that you equate being on maternity leave during lock down with being unable to go on an exotic holiday during annual leave. You didn’t miss your exotic holiday, you have your baby.

You haven't read anything have you, just picked uo bits you are offended by. Read the thread. Good luck with it because i seriously dont see it happening 😂 imagine all the other people on mat leave at this time, way more id imagine.

Also, the rights we have are to accumulate more annual leave extra benefits etc

Please do some absolutely simple research before claiming you are hard done by for sitting at home with your DC.

Also, id be getting some provisions in place for when they shut this down 😉

maternityaction.org.uk/covidmaternityfaqs/

These nonsense being spouted on this thread is insane. Does one really lose all sense of perspective and ability to think logically on maternity leave?!

@Shitsgettingcrazy no we have said multiple times about parental leave she just doesnt want to accept there is other help out there and clearly wants free cash for sitting about at home, should just quit and go on benefits, no need for child care or weaning then 🙄

@1FootInTheRave definitely, been so many cuts to childcare and child relating things i.e groups, health visitors, health teams, library etc. Probably be the first thing they cut, then they'll be outrage.

@bumptobean You haven't read anything have you, just picked uo bits you are offended by. Read the thread. Good luck with it because i seriously dont see it happening 😂 imagine all the other people on mat leave at this time, way more id imagine.

Also, the rights we have are to accumulate more annual leave extra benefits etc

Please do some absolutely simple research before claiming you are hard done by for sitting at home with your DC.

Also, id be getting some provisions in place for when they shut this down 😉

maternityaction.org.uk/covidmaternityfaqs/

Provisions? I said multiple times I’m taking the 3 months unpaid.. so you’re suggesting I quit and go on benefits.. the same person arguing about tax payers money?? Another example of bending what people say to suit your need 🤣 crikey