I was called into my bosses office a little while ago and they told me that they would pay me for five weeks of maternity leave. I wanted to take ten weeks off after the girls were born, but that won't be an option now. I am disappointed, but I also know there are woman who don't get any paid leave. I asked if I could use my two week vacation pay and add to the time off so that will push me up to seven weeks.
I was never interested in being a stay at home mom, but I sure wanted to spend more time with the girls before putting them in child care so early in life. Well it just doesn't seem right to me. I sure wish us moms were able to take off a few months with our new babies.
Okay enough whining. I will pinch some serious pennies for next few months and hope the girls don't come to early.
It will all work out, right?
It really does suck! The US has the worst options for maternity leave. I told DH we needed to move to Canada. :)
ReplyDeleteUgh, we get 6 weeks at 60% pay for maternity leave (8 for C-section) and then we can take up to 12 weeks total with FMLA. So mine would be 6 weeks at 60% and 6 weeks at 0% pay... sucks. I think I'm going to spring for the second 6 weeks even though it's going to be rough, in the meantime i'm hoarding my vacation time!
ReplyDeleteSeems my last comment was eaten by Feedly. Grr.
ReplyDeleteIt down right sucks that you only get 5 weeks of pay. And it sucks more that this country offers so little along the lines of support for new mothers.
I want to share with you what I ended up doing, mainly as another example. Because I wasn't able to teach in the fall as the Beats had just arrived, I ended up being unemployed for 5 months. Initially, this freaked me out as I knew we needed the money. But it turned out to be a great thing. I was in no shape to return to work after 3 months (the Beats were only 1 month age adjusted and were not sleeping through the night). And while money was tight (I did collect unemployment), it turns out we were bleeding less cash then when I went back to work and they started up at daycare (which is insanely expensive).
My point is, do what is best for you and the girls. Even if it means taking a leave of absence from work for a little while. Money is certainly an issue, but many parents of multiples admit that they feel like they are bleeding cash for the first 2-3 yrs (I'm told it gets better after that), so you're not alone in this. Plus I know your employers love you and considering you would be leaving them with the lack-luster employee, I'm willing to bet that they would want to work something out with you.
Hang in there.
I hear ya. My work doesn't pay you for any of your maternity leave and requires you use all your sick time (no vacation time when you're a teacher) for the first 6 weeks. They will let you take as long as you want off but won't pay you. I'm taking 8. I only have 5 weeks of sick time so 3 of it will be unpaid but I figure we'll get by. I get sick to my stomach thinking about childcare at only 8 weeks. I have cried a few times already. I may have to discuss 12 weeks with the hubby. Baby will only be little once, ya know? And you are right, you will get by!
ReplyDeleteThings always have a way of working themselves out. I hope that you are able to get some more time off to spend with those sweet babies. I'm very luck...52 weeks of maternity leave. I wish all of my friends had this option!
ReplyDeleteI don't get any paid maternity leave. I have to use all my sick and vacation time, then I can get a small disability check for up to 12 weeks. Even though I won't get paid, my DH and I have decided to take all 12 weeks. I know that this will work out for you. I know how hard it is emotionally to leave one baby in childcare, but to drop off two babies. My heart goes out to you. I know it will be difficult.
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