It’s official; I’ve joined the ranks of stay-at-home moms. At least, for the next thirteen months or so. True, the baby isn’t actually here yet, but Friday was my last day at work so that made me a stay-at-home mom as of, oh…11:41 Friday morning.
You might be wondering why thirteen months? Seems very specific, doesn’t it?
I get to take that much time away from my full-time job to learn my new full-time job (duh, being a mom) because I have two weeks of 2009 vacation time tacked on at the beginning of my leave and four weeks of 2010 vacation time tacked on at the end. That’s right, upon my return to work next year my company is obligated to pretend like I never left, vacation and benefits-wise, so I will be entitled to take my 2010 vacation before the end of the calendar year. This puts my first official day back to work next year at December 23. HA. Like anybody will be doing any work the week of Christmas. As my supervisor put it, “So basically, we’ll see you January 2, 2011.” From my home office.
During my leave I will be collecting government assistance in the form of employment insurance as income. I do not for one moment feel guilty about this. I’ve been paying into employment insurance in this country since I was fifteen years old. The fact that I’ll be getting some of that back as income to earn while I parent our child is phenomenal. What is even more phenomenal is that my company will be topping up that amount to 95% of my full-time salary for the first 17 weeks I’m off. That takes us pretty much into March without much of a change in salary for me, even though I won’t be working.
I would just like to take a moment to say that I know how awesome this is. I know how fortunate Graham and I are that I will be able to take more than an entire year off from work to stay at home with our son. I appreciate that there are women out there who barely have a chance to heal physically before being required by their employers, the laws of their country or their financial circumstances, to return to working full-time after giving birth. It’s a shame that more countries (cough, cough, ahem, our neighbours to the SOUTH) don’t treat the most important job there is, MOTHERHOOD, with as much respect as Canada does.
I serously wish I lived in Canada right about now! We have about the same due data dn I will be going back to work on Feb 1, 2010. I am so not happy about that. I hope the next week and a half goes by quickly for both of us! I know how you're feeling right now and I'm sure I speak for the both of us when I say I want this baby out!!
word to that. When I worked for a big corporation, I got 6 weeks paid and they let me "take off" a total of 12 weeks before I lost my job.
WooHoo Canada!
Amen!
Wow, February 1, huh? That would be tough.
Yesterday was the first day I felt really ready for the baby to be OUT of my body.
From what I understand, that's one of the best deals out there for you? 6 weeks paid, then 12 weeks off unpaid?
I'd like to sponsor you all to become Canadian citizens, at least so you could get better mat leave!
Our Family Medical Leave Act allows for 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Most companies allow you to have only 12 weeks off TOTAL. So, if you get six weeks maternity leave, you can take 6 additional weeks off under FMLA.
it's one of the very best things that CAnada does. for reals.
yay for mat leave!
The longest maternity leave I ever got, was 12 weeks, 6 weeks at 60% pay, and 4 weeks @ 80% pay (company paid). Then with holiday and vacation time (Christmas/New Year's) I got 12 weeks.
The maternity program up there SO ROCKS. Six weeks here is standard, usually without pay.
i can't even imagine going back to work after 6 or even 12 weeks. Canada sure does rock!
That's amazing! You really are lucky not have to debate staying home or going back. I know after a year of staying home with my oldest, I wanted to go back. Hopefully it will work like that for you! Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy.