I thought it was finally time for a maternity pun, especially since I have one last day at work, and then... maternity leave. When you work in a government job, you do get healthy maternity leave in Australia... and because I haven't left my organisation (just moved around within it), I'll also be taking Long Service Leave. Yup, I'm a grown up at the age of 33 and will be using my long service leave with my maternity leave. All these things scream GROWN UP to me, do you agree?
There are some parts of the world that don't get maternity leave and some countries that offer much more amazing parental support systems than Australia... I know that personally I'm really thankful to get maternity leave, and am happy that as a woman I have choices in my career and feel extremely lucky that in my career I've been able to feel like being pregnant is no big deal. I work at an amazing place.
So! It's now been 35 weeks of pregnancy, of growing my fetus, and in the last few weeks, it's felt more and more real. Not that all the other weird hormones, kicks and pushes and other stuff wasn't making it real... I guess that the human child is taking on its own identity now, it's developing a different energy to mine, so that shift of energy when something is so close, someone is so close to you all the time... SO INTERESTING!
One more day of my career job, my old job in radio... and Monday? Monday is my first day as a parent... big job that one.
Talk soon!
Happy maternity leave!! How exciting!! Take care, have an amazing last day at work xx
ReplyDeleteThank you gorgeous!
DeleteEnjoy the last few weeks! I know it gets pretty uncomfortable toward the end, but once the baby comes (and you recover for a few weeks), you'll feel almost normal again.
ReplyDeleteWe're pretty lucky here in Quebec: we get 6 months leave at full pay and 6 further months leave at 1/2 pay. At my organization, I also had the option of another year's leave without pay if I needed it. Then we have government subsidized daycare for $7 per day, with hot meals and fully qualified Early Education specialists. I feel for my American colleagues who get a few weeks (unpaid) to physically recover and then straight back to work full time....Why would I ever live anywhere else?!? It's so awesome!
Have a peaceful delivery and I can't wait to see the little one :)
Thank you darling! And yep, what a progressive country with mat leave... and that daycare! We have a money back option with daycare I've heard, but I'll have to investigate that further down the track...
Deletexoxo
Happy Maternity Leave! You are so very lucky to have such fabulous policies in place so you can take time for yourself and the little one. Enjoy all of it :) Can't wait to see the little one when it arrives!
ReplyDeleteThank you Meg, how fast has this year gone! I can't believe it's August already!
DeleteHAPPY MATERNITY LEAVE! i have no idea what long leave is, but happy that too. it's wonderful that you have it!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo to you gorgeous girl!
DeleteIn the Netherlands you have 6 weeks before birth and 10 weeks after...seams not much looking at the 6 months of yours!
ReplyDeleteEvery country is different, I guess we are happy with the amount we've got! In my birth research, I've heard The Netherlands have the best government supported birth care (and more safe home births) than anywhere else... it's so interesting how different cultures care for women...
DeleteThanks for dropping by! xooxoxoxoxoxoxo
Happy last day of work! I hope they spoil you on your final day. I have 5 more weeks of work. I am working up until 37 weeks (if my doctor signs me off). My work will give me 12 months of which is fantastic. But I am still trying to decide what to do at the end of that 12 months. I'm not sure if I want to go back full time so I am hoping they will be able to work with me to do something part time. Fingers crossed because I do love where I work.
ReplyDeleteYour work sounds lovely with 12 months! I'm not even considering 2013 and how I'll feel this time next year... it's hard enough trying to imagine what kind of parent I'll be or what kind of child we'll have. I still cannot believe sometimes a human child is growing right now inside of me. ZOMG.
Deletexoxo
Yay, so glad you've got a nice flexible situation with work! Enjoy your new family time!!
ReplyDeleteVery lucky to have a flexible and lovely workplace! Thank you gorgeous!
DeleteHappy maternity leave.. Sending prayers and best wishes for you, the baby and family.. Enjoy your leave and enjoy your precious new baby.. So happy you get that bonding time..
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! xoxo
DeleteThanks Meganne!
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