Maternity Leave Anxiety

Okay Moms of America, I have a serious question: How in the hell did you survive taking off for 12 weeks unpaid?? I appreciate that the FMLA helps me not to lose my job when I have a baby, but I think it is appalling that I am expected to be able to sustain my current lifestyle (by this, I mean paying my mortgage, electric bill, phone bill, and maybe the occasional dinner out) PLUS a baby without a paycheck for 12 weeks...or maybe 8 weeks if I use my 4 weeks of sick/personal leave that I have accrued/borrowed from the next year.

I never put much thought into the family medical leave act prior to becoming pregnant, but now that this potential financial crisis is looming ahead of me, I am freaking out a little. I won't even get started on the fact that if I was a single Mom without a husband who has a job/income, I don't know how I'd be able to stay out of work more than a week without pay...

If you are a Mom who had unpaid maternity leave, did you take a full 12 weeks? We are barely scraping by paycheck to paycheck as it is and I just can't envision how this is all going to work out with me off and not getting paid. I wish I had the foresight to apply for Aflac benefits prior to becoming pregnant, but that just isn't possible now.

I know it seems like I probably always write about negative things, but this blog is the best way for me to work things out. I have a hard time processing everything in my head sometimes. It is a stressful time of the year as a teacher anyway, and I already suffer from anxiety. I wish I could be one of those people who takes things in stride and doesn't worry about the future, but I just am not that person. I just want to be able to take care of my baby and not have to rush back to work simply because I can't afford to stay home and be a Mom...anyway, I will stop my whining and try to work on a saving plan or some sort of solution to my stresses. If you have any tips or suggestions, I would welcome them.

Comments

  1. CavenderLavenderMay 11, 2016 at 4:04 PM

    I feel you!! I'm a huge supporter of paid leave! Having to use sick days for maternity leave is another absurdity (We're not sick) but I'm glad I got at least that...I'm currently worrying about how to save enough sick days for potential baby #2 after using so many for baby #1 and all the daycare germs/sick we've gone through this school year. :( Something needs to change to support families and children! (and it's not worrying about who uses what bathroom where).

    ReplyDelete
  2. CavenderLavenderMay 11, 2016 at 4:04 PM

    I feel you!! I'm a huge supporter of paid leave! Having to use sick days for maternity leave is another absurdity (We're not sick) but I'm glad I got at least that...I'm currently worrying about how to save enough sick days for potential baby #2 after using so many for baby #1 and all the daycare germs/sick we've gone through this school year. :( Something needs to change to support families and children! (and it's not worrying about who uses what bathroom where).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Family NewsMay 11, 2016 at 4:17 PM

    You are so lucky to take 12weeks! I got 5 weeks after a C-section. It was my first year of school, no leave, no money... Count your blessings :). Things are actually much better now

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Overthinking ItMay 11, 2016 at 4:28 PM

      I don't "get to take 12 weeks." That is just what they are required to allow by law. However, it is all unpaid. I don't see that as a benefit. I see it as a slap in the face for choosing to have a baby. In all honesty, I will be lucky if I can take 3 weeks because we truly can't afford to survive without my salary and I only have 3 weeks of sick leave saved.

      Delete

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