Questions & Answers

I live in Virginia for a defense contractor. It's a male dominated career, so I guess they felt they didn't need to provide any female oriented benefits. Believe me, I complain about it all the time. We have a short term disability benefit but we have to pay for it and it gives us half pay for six weeks but needs a doctor to sign off on it. I'm just saving up and I have great bosses that know it's a sucky policy. They are letting me work from home part time after 4 wks so I can minimize the financial deficit. I'm taking 8 wks off - it's all I can afford. Don't feel bad for complaining - the US has a horrible view on maternity leave and we ALL shoudl be complaining. Even my husband gets two weeks paternity leave and I get nothing. It's a travesty that too many working moms have to deal with.

Thanks for all your answers girls!

Calvingirl: SERIOUSLY? Where do you live? I don't feel like I should be complaining anymore, bless your heart!

Ugh! I have a desk job but my company has NO maternity leave and NO sick leave. We only get 2 wks of personal leave a year.

Bumpin- I worked until labor with my first two and planned to do the same this time around but bed rest forced me out 2 weeks prior- it does suck because the time is better spent with the baby once here, not alone before hand, unless something makes you be at home before. I would say work it till you can't and save your time for baby!! Its all we get so maximize it as you're able. I'm sure your boss understands, this is part of running any business in our country.

I also plan on working up until labor. It is a bit easier for me since I work from home and sit behind a computer screen all day. I am in the US but I am lucky to have a job which allows me to have 70% of my salary when I am out on leave which will probably be about 6 weeks or whenever the doctor releases me back to work.

I also plan working till labor just like you Bumpin but I'm thinking I will just apply to start on the 29th of June which is 2 days to my due date...not much difference but just thinking he might come late, being the first child. Same reason as you though, wanna spend more time with my boy before I resume. Maternity leave here is for 3 months and you still get your full salary. Wish we had 1 year mat.leave lol

I am starting my maternity leave at 37 weeks. I work in a school and it's too much standing and chasing after kids. If I had a desk job I may have decided to stay longer. I am glad we planned ahead and applied for our mortgage with just my dh's income so I would have the ability to be a sahm and start my maternity leave early. I am in the US so it's unpaid after I cash in my sick time but I don't have much of that anyways. It's complete crap that we get no paid leave when moms (and frequently dads) in most countries do. Maybe I will move before baby #2!

I guess you are right, US is too big.. I hate that I will have to put her in daycare so soon, but I have to keep my job.

:-( I guess the usa is just so big. It can't fund such a big thing for so many millions of woman. Shame. I can't bear you poor ladies having to place your NB babies into child care so young. Your right, it's not fair. I'm so blessed with my hubby job and salary. I will be with our 2nd daughter until 2 & a half. Then she will start day care at the beautiful private school my hubby works at and where my 7yr old attends also.
Some counties and ladies have it tough :-(

That would be so awesome to have a whole year off with my baby too!! It is not fair, lol!! Makes me want to pack up and move to another country..