So.... do we get to much maternity leave in this country?

[wisterialane]

here

I actually think the issue isn't the length of leave we can take; but the fact that only women can take it. It would have suited my family circs better if my husband could have taken some leave too. It would also support proper equality in the workplace as employers/managers would need to view men and women the same way with regards to parental (instead of maternity) leave.

Aren't the government planning on changing the rules so that men can take leave if the woman wants to go back to work, like in Sweden (i think)?

Oh, and the main reason is that WHO recommend BF for at least 6mo, pref up to 1yo. This is difficult if you have to go back at 3months.

You asked....

Oh, and to add... I took 12 months off. Took me that long to get in control of the fuckin PND.

Hmm..

In answer to the OP - it's just not that simple (although it should be)

Why do some people assume you can't continue bf when you return to work?

Remember the 12 months ML is comparatively recent - when I had my first dc, it was 6 months maximum but most people returned when their baby was 3 months old as they couldn't afford 6 months off with half unpaid. I returned to work and carried on bf.

It's great that there is now the option for longer - but I entirely agree that parents should be able to split the leave. If we want equality, then let's act as though we do! This is the 21st century - women want careers as much as men, and men want to be active parents as much as women. And both those things are extremely beneficial for children who are the key issue here.

It wasn't shocking, because when something is the norm, you just get on and accept it. None of us knew any differently! I also think there was an upside, in that although it was physically more demanding, continuing bf etc, I do think emotionally it is easier to leave a younger baby than one who is almost a year old by the time you return. Developmentally, a year old is probably the worst time to start leaving a child, and I've certainly noticed that many of my colleagues who return to work these days have far more problems with their children settling in childcare than used to be the case. So I guess that's one unintentional disadvantage of extended leave.

However, on balance I think it's good that people have the option of taking a year if they feel they need it, but it should definitely be an option to split it.

I had my DC2 in greece and got 12 months ML at 100% of my salary. This can be split between the parents allegedly, but not sure how the payent would be worked out as we didn't do it (DH ran his own company from home, there was no need)

I now work full time in Italy(I got the job after I had DC3 so don't know what's available here) and I still bf my 17-month-old DC3 and plan to continue until he self weans, working has nothing to do with it. But it is nice to have a year at full pay, you might have a baby that doesn't settle into a routine or wakes up several times a night for several months.

And yes, fathers should be able to share the time off, why are they always pushed aside?

I'm in France, and not sure of the exact regulations here, but know that most people return to work 10 weeks post birth. (I think 10 weeks is the minimum mandatory leave, which is supposed to be 4 pre-due date and six post due date).

So I agree with Violethill, it is the norm so I will be going back to work full-time when my baby is 10 weeks old and putting my baby in childcare like everyone else here. I think the option of a year is great though and agree with Violethill's suggestion.

I think options are great, but I work for an English-based company and the fact that I will be taking less leave than my colleagues based in England has had an influence on my career prospects.

I am not shocked or suprised either at opinions held on this thread. I have friends and relatives who have small businesses and they would concur with what Wisteria said earlier.

People, especially in the workplace, seem to be talking as though the time off is a holiday. DS is now 4 months and due to the combination of breast feeding, nursery waiting lists and lack of freelance work in dec & jan, I am taking the full 9 months of MA. I love him dearly and his sister who is nearly 3 but I am really missing work and can't wait to start back. I like and enjoy what I do and find it easier than childcare particularly the days when DD is not in nursery & I have both of them. DP does the childcare 1 day a week and people at work consistantly ask him how was your day off, a question often asked of many mums who work part time. DD often asks me to tell her about my day or my work & I tell her that at the moment my work is looking after her & her brother. She seems to understand this, why can't others see childcare by mothers for the work it is as some choose it as a profession to care for other children.

I don't see 12 months ML as excessive. What people seem to be missing is that women aren't forced to take 12 months - legally you only have to take 2 weeks after you baby is born, for health reasons.
I agree that it should be an option for either parent to take ML (as parental leave), and with the above being the case, both parents could have their 2 weeks off, then mother could return to work if she wanted to and father could take up to the 12 months. This obviously would be a lot easier if both parents have the same employer.
I took 12 months ML - didn't think twice - and it went so quick. I enjoyed my job but preferred being home as a mum. I also took an additional year unpaid, and plan to take the next 4 years too (perks of the civil service )but this is only because my son has a medical condition so he can't go into a creche.