I have exactly one week and then I will be back to work full-time after my 4-month maternity leave.
I feel blessed to have even had that much time with my little one, but can’t help be jealous of other countries maternity leaves.
Here’s a list of some kick ass ones...
Finland -Expecting mothers can start their maternity leave 7 weeks before their due date. After that the government covers 4 months of paid leave through a maternity grant.
Denmark -New moms get a total of 18 weeks of maternity leave: four weeks before the birth and 14 weeks after, all at full pay!
Sweden -New parents are entitled to 480 days of leave at 80% of their normal pay!!! Whaaaat!
Belgium -Mothers can take up to 15 weeks for maternity leave, for the first 30 days after the child is born, they get paid 80% of their salary, and then they get 75% for the rest of the time.
Iceland -New parents get 9 months and can split their nine months down the middle between mom and dad.
Serbia -Mothers can take 20 weeks of fully paid leave after giving birth.
Norway -Mothers can take 35 weeks at full pay or 45 weeks at 80% pay. That’s taking off more time than you spent pregnant!
All of these countries also have really great paternity leave options for new fathers!!
We are definitely doing it wrong in the US!
You can read more at Business Insider here