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?

@bumptobean

Nope! DH make a fuck tonne of money so we decided I should stay at home. Sorry to disappoint!

There is no way that people should be signing this nonsense whilst parents whose babies are premature and have to spend months in the hospital have to go back in the allotted timeframe

@crispysausagerolls actually this is actually changing!!! Thankfully from 2023 if i read it correctly

@Tjsmumma

Where did you read that?!? Would be fantastic

@bumptobean read the full thread. I'd have a look for my earlier posts and others.

I know what lost maternity leave really is - I lost 9 weeks of mine which started abruptly when my twins were born at 28 weeks. I nearly died, my children nearly died and I owe everything to the nhs.

An extension to maternity leave for mothers who truly lost their maternity leave - who spent weeks praying over a baby in an incubator having to ask permission to hold their child has literally only been passed through parliament in the last couple of months. It doesn't come into force until 2023. Are you serious that you think you deserve to jump the queue because (like every other person in the country) you've had to stay at home? I stayed at home with two babies for months on end even when we made it home - I was proud and glad to do it. I kept them safe from germs and I'm grateful every day for the maternity leave I had that allowed that. I went back to work a month early in March to help my employer - to support my colleagues and frankly to make sure my own role was safe.

You've missed out on nothing and asking more from your employer (who will no doubt like countless other businesses be concerned about how we trade out of this crisis) or the government is entitled crap.

Be grateful your baby is well, you are well and you have a job to go back to.

No disappointment here at all, hence the reason I asked before I assumed. Just pointing out that not everyone is a scrounger.

I’m so sorry for what you have gone through but this is also a major assumption. My baby was critically ill with sepsis and was in hospital for a very long time.

Also again - that ‘I’m well’. I almost died in labour too unfortunately, I myself also had sepsis as well as the baby, I had a blood transfusion, my cocctyx broke as a result of forceps with a 10lb baby and I had PND. All in all, I have my own story that you obviously didn’t know.

www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/news/parents-of-premature-babies-to-get-extra-12-weeks-paid-leave not sure when it comes in but im sure i read somewhere by 2023!!!

Also before you tell me to read your posts, perhaps read mine. Nowhere have i stated I’ve missed out on anything or asking my employer for anything. You’re crazy.

@twins2019

🌷

Very pleased to hear legislation will be in effect from 2023.

@bumptobean who do you think pays for the extended maternity leave you are after? Your employer or the state...

How long was your baby in hospital for - for context from 2023 if your baby was unwell at birth or premature you would get 1 week of extra leave for every complete week they were in hospital. Yet you are supporting and advocating for 3 months of fully paid maternity leave.

Context is everything.

Bumptobean I went back to work whilst still breastfeeding both of my children (I fed both until 2+) - they were honestly fine, they adapt and if they are desperate for milk they will take a bottle (my DD was a massive bottle refuser). Please don't worry about that.

Not sure why that’s relevant barring that I gave birth October 19. Why can’t I be in favour of both also I’ve not advocated for 3 months of fully paid leave, I said if it was paid (SMP) I of course would take it.

To everyone on this post, on mat leave, negative or positive please leave your opinion - www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/00QLUB/

If you dont feel that baby groups are the main reason for this petition or pay please state itm

Thank you! Brilliant to hear - it’s not a huge concern of mine as in I know we will all survive! I think it’s been blown a bit out of proportion on this thread!

@bumptobean think its a topic people are passionate about, clearly a majority of the people who want this extension isnt for what the petition initially stated. Which i personally feel like starting another to see if it would get more signatures in a more positive way.

Its hard because one lot of people want it just to sit in a coffee shop with their friends or go to groups and are in early stages and claim this little time at the beginning is detrimental to their child's development although they have plenty left after. I do not think any of these people should get any extra money.

Some in middle stage of ML and are worried about the return to work, finding childcare, the unknowing whats going to happen by the time we come out. Again i dont feel we are automatically entitled.

Some are finishing or finished mat leave adn and are anxious about child care, baby bonding with others (but again had time before so?) work, unpaid leave is near on automatjc for them. I personally feel only this group is eligible but that is not what the petition is for x

So grabby when the country will be on it's knees financially soon.

@Tjsmumma I agree in some extent. I know it can’t be fair for everyone. I’m saying I would personally like it but I also don’t feel it’s necessary for people who have just had a newborn and claim because the newborn hasn’t seen family they’d like it, when in reality of course it’s nice to show your newborn to meet all family but a newborn doesn’t know any different, it’s all sleeping and eating at that age. It’s a tough one and like you said, seems to be different tiers of people with their reasons. If it doesn’t happen I don’t think we will all suffer hugely but then again I don’t know everyone’s circumstance and how it affects them.

@bumptobean honestly, there are loads of people who have had the same worries and concerns as you, and don't worry, children adapt. Nurseries are also used to it, and they won't go all day without anything to drink, even if it's water and plenty of breastmilk before and after, honestly, it'll be fine. It's day to day stuff for them.

Thank you! I do know he will learn to accept and adapt to it, it’s something that was always going to happen, he wasn’t going to be 18 and still on the breast - I hope not anyways!

@bumptobean

You can still bf if you want - just mornings and evenings

Your view that people who signed the petition are all scroungers is a joke and says a lot more about you, you really have no clue.

People are going to judge those who demanded more paid leave to go to baby groups when ...

Unemployment rates are about to skyrocket leaving many unable to feed their families.

Extra paid leave has never been granted to mothers of babies born prematurely, despite their very difficult maternity experience.

The underfunded NHS has far more than it can cope with, including nurses in particular risking their lives daily without appropriate pay.

In terms of the country’s priorities there are millions who need that financial support more urgently. It’s immensely grabby to try to prioritise yourself higher than the above.

@bumptobean haha no, but honestly a lot find that they adjust quickly, and drink a lot more in the evenings after a day apart (I loved that to be honest), and in the morning.

@LaurieMarlow

Thank you for articulating that so well!