Comments on: Flexible maternity and parental leave: Is it too much to ask?

By: Amie Hood

Amie Hood — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:36:35 +0000

If only. As an American watching the Tea Party take over our national dialogue, I’m quite certain any kind of paid leave (beyond disability pay) won’t happen in my lifetime. And definitely not while I’m raising children.

By: Rebecca Bromwich

Rebecca Bromwich — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:29:32 +0000

Structuring flexibility into maternity and parental leave under Canada’s EI system is a very, very good idea. I have four children and didn’t really take a formal maternity leave with any of them because what I wanted to do was combine part-time work with parenting in creative ways that the system didn’t accommodate. I did precisely what this proposal contemplates: I worked very part-time when they were little and gradually ramped back into full time work by the time the youngest child was 2 and a half. As a result, I received $0 in parental benefits total for four children born in the 2000s despite the fact that I am an employed lawyer. So, yes, very, very good idea.

By: Maranda

Maranda — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:15:28 +0000

Our system also creates a class system of the Haves and the Have Nots. If you’re self employed you’re not entitled to any leave at all. I went back to work when my fourth child was two weeks old, after taking four weeks unpaid leave and working past my due date (she was quite overdue). And that’s after nine months of unpaid time off for all my prenatal appointments, ultrasounds (of which I had many), etc.

By: Maranda

Maranda — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:11:08 +0000

I completely agree and it’s not just single mothers who suffer. The benefit is an arbitrary amount that is not enough for most people to get by on. It might be ok if you live in a smaller town, but in a larger city there is no way you can get by on $400 a week. Especially if you’re a single income earner or have more than one child. Everyone wants to take advantage of the year at home with the baby, but practically everyone I know has gone into major debt while on maternity leave. There really needs to be a scaled benefit or the ability to work part time.

By: Jayda

Jayda — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:58:15 +0000

You just described something very similar to the Danish system. I had both my children in Denmark, while I completed my PhD. The system is very flexible and your time off can be carried over, but must be used by the time the child turn 10 (?).

By: Rex

Rex — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:04:42 +0000

Nice topic.

Also, it is really important to have quality time to our family. That is my number 1 priority.

By: phdinparenting

phdinparenting — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:08:34 +0000

Angela:

I completely agree.

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:30:45 +0000

You forgot to add one more “category” in your list of fell-through-the-cracks: the single mother

The benefit amount I am receiving from Canada EI is very much NOT ENOUGH to sustain myself alone, let alone myself and a child who are trying to survive on only 1 income. And while I may have an opportunity to find work I can do from home while on maternity leave (thereby circumventing the need for childcare), EI will deduct all monies I make at such a job from my benefit rate and I will be no further ahead.

EI needs to give a higher benefit rate to single mothers on maternity leave, AND they need to allow single mothers to make additional income while on maternity leave in order to make ends meet on EI’s meager benefits.

By: Top Parenting Bloggers Discuss (11): Government Policy Suggestions

Top Parenting Bloggers Discuss (11): Government Policy Suggestions — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:16:08 +0000

[...] More flexible maternity and parental leave. [...]

By: A day in the life of marginalizing “fringe groups” in Canada | PhD in Parenting

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:37:27 +0000

[...] days, I’m proud to be Canadian. Whether I’m talking about our health care system, our maternity and parental leave programs, feminist leaders, or other topics close to my heart, my country usually makes me proud (even if it [...]