Maternity Leave
These posts are from my Mat Leave Monday series, which discusses maternity and parental leave in Canada and around the world. If you like this, you should also check out my super-cool Quick Guide to Canadian Maternity Leave, now updated for 2010!Maternity Leave in Maple Ridge
Guess what! I have my first public appearance. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited this makes me. I am going to speaking about my passion, maternity leave, at the fabulous maternity and baby boutique Tiny Fingers Tiny Toes in Maple Ridge, BC. I love talking about maternity leave. In fact, if you [...]
Maternity Leave Eligibility for the Self-Employed
Today I am revisiting Mat Leave Monday, because I have some very important information to share. If you are a self-employed Canadian who would like to be eligible for maternity or parental benefits, then you need to act now to opt into the EI system. (Note – If you live in Quebec you are already [...]
Updated Canadian Maternity Leave Guide
Today I am revisiting Mat Leave Monday, because I have updated my super-cool and totally fun Quick Guide to Canadian Maternity Leave for 2010.
In case you aren’t familiar with it, I ran a series of posts about maternity leave every Monday while I was on my last maternity leave. I enjoyed it immensely, and I [...]
Maternity Leave for the Self-Employed Announced
Today I am re-visiting Mat Leave Monday, because there was a major announcement last week that affects maternity leave in Canada.
On November 3, the federal Conservatives introduced The Fairness for the Self-Employed Act, which extends special benefits provided through the Employment Insurance (EI) system to the self-employed. These special benefits include sickness benefits, compassionate care [...]
Canadian Parental Leave and Multiples
It’s Thursday, so I’m Crafting my Life! Today I’m talking about possibly the biggest challenges any parent faces when trying to find balance, which occurs with multiple births. I have the utmost respect for parents of twins or more. I think that anyone who’s cared for one baby can appreciate how much work must go [...]
Guide to Canadian Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! I know that I promised I was totally done with that, but I’m re-visiting it this week. After all, this is my blog and so I reserve the right to make the rules up as I go along. I’m totally fun that way. Totally.
The reason that I’m re-visiting Mat Leave Monday [...]
Isolation and Togetherness: Susan and Rebecca
Today is the last day of my Carnival of Maternity Leave! I have two more stories to share with you, sharing two very different experiences of being home with a new baby. They show us how maternity leave can be very isolating, or it can be a time of togetherness for a family.
Susan is a [...]
Making the Most of Maternity Leave: Tracey and Missy
Those early days at home with a baby may occasionally feel interminable, but the reality is that they are very brief. As experienced parents will tell you it’s good to try to enjoy them while they last, because they will be over before you know it. And you will actually miss them when they’re gone. [...]
Battling Bureaucracy: Nicole, Annie and Stefanie
I’ve talked at length about why I think maternity leave and parental leave are so important. And they really are. Government programs that allow parents to spend the early days and months with their children are tremendously valuable. The problem, though, is that as soon as you get the government involved bureaucracy inevitably follows. The [...]
Changing Gears After Maternity Leave: Melissa and Melodie
Having a baby is life-changing, but not always in the way we expect. Sure, we know that there will be sleepless nights and diaper changes and so much love it hurts. But for a lot of moms the arrival of a new baby also means that they re-think their careers or their lifestyles in other [...]
Maternity Leave in Canada by the Numbers
Today is the very last Mat Leave Monday. Can you believe it? I can’t. I have spent months talking about how maternity leave works, what it’s like around the world, and why it matters. Along the way I have gathered some fun statistics and I thought I would take the chance to share them with [...]
The Maternity Leave Experience: Tracey and Brie
Having your first baby is a huge transition. One day you are childless, you work full-time and sleep in on the weekend. Then the next you are a parent, spending your days with a completely dependent infant. In my case it was literally the next day, since I went to work on Friday and then [...]
Returning to Work: Heather, Brie and Carrie
The inevitable truth of maternity leave is that it ends. Whether you resume your position in the working world or not, you are not going to able to collect benefits forever. Today I am highlighting posts about returning to work for the Carnival of Maternity Leave.
Heather found starting her 10-month-old in daycare to be [...]
Maternity Leave and Breastfeeding
I know that we’re all very excited about the Carnival of Maternity Leave. I wanted to share something of my own today, since August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week. This year’s theme is ‘Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response‘. Anyone who saw the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina play out, when formula wasn’t getting through and there [...]
The Best and Worst of Maternity Leave: Brie and Lara
Today I am highlighting two more blog posts for the Carnival of Maternity Leave. I feel that they provide a handy sort of compare and contrast in terms of the best and worst of maternity and parental leave in Canada.
First up we have Brie, who provides us with the ‘best’ part of our little comparison. [...]
Victoria, Jill and Jennifer Share Maternity Leave Stories
One of the biggest reasons I had for running this carnival was to hear other peoples’ stories. So far I’m loving all the ones I’ve read, and today I am going to share three with you. Each one highlights different aspects of maternity leave, and each one is a great read.
First up my friend Victoria, [...]
Welcome to the Carnival of Maternity Leave
Welcome to the Carnival of Maternity Leave! From now until August 15 I will be featuring contributions from other bloggers about maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave and adoption leave. The carnival announcement details how to participate, but basically I’m looking for you to write a post sometime before August 10 and send me a [...]
Returning from Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m going to talk about planning your return to work once your maternity leave is over. This would be the time I would be making my plans if I were going back. Plus I did go back after Hannah was born. So I feel like I can offer a few [...]
Maternity Leave Around the World
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Over the course of almost a year I have researched maternity leave in 13 countries and 1 Canadian province. I have learned a lot about maternity leave and how it works. Today I am going to summarize all that I have learned about maternity leave in one handy little blog post.
Here [...]
Announcing the Carnival of Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m going to put a call out to everyone else to share your maternity leave stories with me. I’ve been talking about myself and my own maternity leave for months, I’m sure it’s wearing a little thin. So let’s see if we can get some other people involved.
To that end [...]
Maternity Leave in France
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I am talking about maternity leave in France. As always I have no first hand knowledge, so if you want to know more you can check out this very comprehensive guide to Parental Leave in France, the BBC’s comparison of benefits in France in the UK, a summary of the [...]
Maternity Leave Manifesto
It’s Mat Leave Monday! I’ve spent a lot of time researching maternity leave in the past few months. During that time, I’ve formed some opinions as to what ‘great’ maternity leave looks like. What features are helpful in getting families off to the best start possible. Here is what I think all maternity leave plans [...]
Maternity Leave in India
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I am talking about maternity leave in India. I have no first-hand experience, so if you would like more detailed information you can read the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 and its 2008 amendment, a summary of Maternity Law in India, this article from Seasons, or information on Central Government [...]
Don’t Leave Us!
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Throughout this series I’ve talked about how maternity leave works, why it’s very important, and how moms might spend their time on maternity leave. I’ve talked about planning your leave, and finding childcare when you return. But I haven’t talked about how maternity leave is viewed in the workplace.
Ideally, having a [...]
EI Reform and Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Here in Canada Employment Insurance (EI) reform is a hot topic. I hear it’s going to bring down the government and force an election. Since maternity and parental benefits are administered through the EI system, I thought the reforms might affect mat leave. Today I’m going to examine EI reform and [...]
Maternity Leave in Germany
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’ll be talking about maternity leave in Germany. I have heard that they get up to three years leave with each child, so I was very interested to learn more myself. As always, I have no first-hand experience with German maternity leave. If you would like to find more information [...]
Paid Maternity Leave in Australia
I’m participating in the Carnival of Breastfeeding today. The theme is ‘Stories’, and you can find my own contribution and links to lots of other great breastfeeding posts. After you read all about the introduction of paid maternity leave in Australia, go check it out!
At present, Australia doesn’t have any type of paid maternity or [...]
Maternity Leave in the Netherlands
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Happy Victoria Day to my fellow Canadians. I hope you’re enjoying the long weekend, and that if you spent it at a campground it wasn’t too soggy. As for me, I am not a camper. I did my time in Girl Guides, and now I prefer to sleep in a bed. [...]
Maternity Leave in Sweden
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about maternity leave in Sweden. As always when I’m talking about countries outside of Canada I have no first-hand knowledge. For more detailed information in English refer to Swedish family policy, For families with children, or detailed information on the Parental Benefit (or Föräldrapenning). If you’re looking for [...]
Laid off on Mat Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Sort of. Technically. You see, I’m talking about being laid off while you’re on maternity leave in Canada. And I’m talking about this now for rather personal reasons. (If you’re not familiar with how maternity leave works in Canada, you might want to read up on it first.)
I received news last [...]
Maternity Leave in Norway
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about maternity leave in Norway. I know that I said I was going to stick to English-speaking countries, but I’ve discovered that many countries offer comprehensive government websites in English, so I’m branching out.
As always when I’m talking about countries outside of Canada I have no first-hand knowledge. [...]
A Day on Mat Leave
I’m participating in the Carnival of Breastfeeding today. The theme is ‘How To’, and you can find my own contribution and links to lots of other great breastfeeding posts. After you read all about a day in my life, go check it out!
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m going to lighten the mood a bit, [...]
Paternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! This one is for the dads – today I’m talking about paternity leave, both in Canada and beyond our borders.
Canadian maternity leave is reserved for birth mothers and lasts 15 weeks. Parental leave, however, can be shared in whole or part between parents and lasts for 35 weeks. (There is also [...]
Paid Maternity Leave Legislation in the US
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Last week I discussed maternity leave in the United States through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This week I’m following up by discussing maternity leave regulations in two US states, as well as proposed federal legislation, which provide for paid maternity and parental leave.
As I discussed last week, not [...]
Maternity Leave in the United States
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about maternity leave in the United States – or, more accurately, the lack of maternity leave. As always, I have no first-hand experience with countries outside of Canada. If you are in the US you might want some info straight from the horse’s mouth.
Wikipedia says:
Five countries in the [...]
The Case Against Breast-Feeding
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about an article that appeared in The Atlantic, called “The Case Against Breast-Feeding“. What does this have to do with maternity leave? Read on to find out.
“The Case Against Breast-Feeding“, written by Hanna Rosin, has been tearing up the blogosphere for a [...]
Playgroups Saved my Sanity
It’s Mat Leave Monday! The day we all band together, with our spit-up covered clothes and our unwashed hair thrown into ponytails. In fact, we’re even proud of the current state of affairs. Because while we haven’t shaved our legs since Valentine’s Day, we’re doing the most important work of all, [...]
Maternity Leave in South Africa
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I am discussing maternity leave in South Africa. It’s March and spring is slowly making its way to Canada it’s not here yet, but it’s late summer in South Africa. There are harvest festivals happening at vineyards outside of Cape Town. Excuse me while I imagine [...]
Maternity Leave and the Self-Employed
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m discussing maternity leave and the self-employed. For a refresher on how maternity leave works in Canada, you can read my previous posts about Canadian Maternity Leave and Maternity Leave in Quebec.
During the 2008 election campaign the Conservatives promised to extend maternity and parental benefits to the self-employed. [...]
Maternity Leave in Ireland
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I am talking about maternity leave in the Irish State. As ever, I have no first-hand knowledge about maternity leave in Ireland. If you are actually in Ireland, the best reference I could find is the government pages outlining maternity leave and adoptive leave.
I have never set [...]
Finding Childcare
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I will be talking about finding childcare. All good things must come to an end, including maternity leave. If you will be returning to work outside of the home, you will need to find someone to care for your child while you are away. While few [...]
Maternity Leave in Quebec
It’s Mat Leave Monday! After Maria from Conversations with Moms pointed out that maternity benefits are different in Quebec, I decided to research what parents are getting in la belle province for myself. Thanks to Maria for giving this oblivious British Columbian the low down. And to everyone else, go check out [...]
History of Maternity Leave in Canada
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m sharing the history of maternity (and parental) leave in Canada, and how it evolved over the decades. I know that you are all as excited as I am to receive a bit of edu-ma-cation on how maternity leave has evolved in this great land of ours.
Maternity leave [...]
Adoption, Surrogacy, and Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about Canadian maternity and parental leave, and how it works in adoption, surrogacy, and other ’special cases’. I touched on all of this briefly in my original post about Canadian Maternity Leave, but today I will go into much greater detail.
In Canada, what we popularly refer [...]
Maternity Leave in New Zealand
It’s Mat Leave Monday! While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are freezing, it’s the height of summer in New Zealand. So today, I am talking about maternity leave in the Land of the Long White Cloud. As ever, I have no first-hand knowledge about maternity and parental leave in New [...]
Why Maternity Leave Matters
It’s Mat Leave Monday! I like to joke about how you’ve all been waiting with baited breath, but I do get more visitors on Monday than any other day of the week, so maybe you have been. In that case, you can un-bait your breath, because here is your weekly dose of mat [...]
Maternity Leave in Australia
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about maternity leave in Australia. Because it might be winter here, but it’s the middle of the summer in Oz. As with the UK, I have no first-hand knowledge, never having been Down Under myself. If you are actually in Australia the links in [...]
My Resolutions
It’s Mat Leave Monday! After a few weeks of fairly weighty subjects, I’m taking a walk on the lighter side. I’m making some personal resolutions for 2009, to help make the most of what’s left of my maternity leave. I would hate to find myself sitting back at my desk at work, [...]
More Maternity Leave FAQ
It’s the special Christmas edition of Mat Leave Monday! I’ve got my Santa hat on, and I’m ready to cover some more common questions about maternity leave in Canada. If you want to brush up on what I’ve already covered you can read my previous posts here and here.
Disclaimer: I am not a [...]
Maternity Leave in the UK
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about maternity leave in the UK. This is intended mostly as a comparison with the Canadian system, since I have never even been to the UK, let alone collected maternity there. If you are actually in the UK, you can find much better info here [...]
Mat Leave Pay Raises
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about recent changes announced by the government that could increase the amount of money you’re making. Riveting, riveting stuff. But it’s important, because who doesn’t like a pay raise? Especially considering that in this economy, those of us on mat leave may be the [...]
Arranging your Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! I know it’s my most favourite day of the week, and I’m sure it’s yours, too. Today I’m talking about making arrangements with your employer for your maternity leave.
I am a planner by nature. Nothing makes me happier than having a plan, executing a plan, writing up a [...]
Second Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about taking your second (or third, or more) maternity leave.
When you already have a little one at home, your leave will not be the same as it was with your first. You have divided attention in a way that you did not before. You can’t [...]
Maternity Leave FAQ
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m answering some common questions about Canadian maternity leave. You can find my source material online here and here.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer or HR professional and I do not represent the federal government. If you have questions, you should probably speak directly with [...]
Suburban Treks
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about getting out of the house and walking.
When you’re at home alone for months with a small baby, you can start to feel pretty cooped up. A person can only watch so much daytime TV before it starts to wear. But what to do? [...]
Baby, Let’s Dance
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about mom and baby fitness classes.
Now that most moms have a whole year off after their baby comes, the obvious question is what to do with that time. During the early days, you’re learning to breastfeed, recouperating from the birth, and just figuring out how to [...]
Canadian Maternity Leave
It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m giving a brief overview of how maternity leave works in Canada. If you’re really interested in the nitty-gritty details, you can read all about it here.
Canadian parents are eligible for maternity and parental benefits, administered through the federal government’s employment insurance system. In practice most people [...]
Mat Leave Monday
I’m currently on maternity leave. My last day at work was two and a half months ago. Between my 12 months and leave and my accumulated vacation time I won’t be back at the office until sometime in September 2009. Which is awesome. More than 13 months to dwell in babyland [...]
