Parental Leave
Navigating parental leave policies can feel like an unsolveable puzzle, but the benefits are real. Motherly is here for you with advice and essays from real mamas.
Make parental leave work for you: 10 boundary lines to draw early
Ten simple boundaries to protect your rest, bond, and sanity so parental leave actually restores you.
5 things every mom should know about parental leave rights
You deserve time to heal, bond and adjust. Here are the essentials to help you plan leave with confidence, protect your job and get paid if possible.
What moms wish employers understood about parental leave
Parental leave is not a perk. It is protective health time that safeguards recovery, bonding, feeding, and mental well-being. Here is what new parents wish every manager and HR team knew, plus practical steps to design leave that actually works.
Alabama’s paid parental leave law is a monumental step—now let’s make it for everyone
“In Alabama, we are committed to strengthening families and supporting those who serve our state,” said Governor Ivey.
Dads who do this 1 thing help moms breastfeed longer—and science proves it
When fathers take at least two weeks of leave after their child’s birth, their partners are 31% more likely to still be breastfeeding at eight weeks.
Women’s pro tennis players now eligible for paid maternity leave—a historic win for women in sports
Finally, a policy that acknowledges that parenting is an endurance sport in itself.
Think raising a baby is expensive? This new number will shock you
And for 15% of moms, baby-related expenses eat up over half of what they bring in.
Dads are leaving $1.6 billion in paid parental leave on the table—and that’s a leadership problem
It’s not that dads can’t take the leave—it’s that they aren’t. And when dads don’t take leave, moms feel the impact.
Deloitte just gave dads 6 months off—and it’s a win for moms too
Deloitte’s new policy, equalizes parental leave for all employees, giving fathers the same 26 weeks of fully paid leave that new mothers already receive.
“I’m not ready”: Mom’s heartbreaking video on returning to work after maternity leave hits home
For moms in the U.S., maternity leave is an emotional minefield.
Sweden now pays grandparents to take parental leave. America, it’s time to catch up.
Imagine this: Your parents or even your best friend can officially take…
Almost 50% of parents heading back to work after parental leave found it harder than expected, survey finds
The founder of Parentaly shares tips for a smoother return to office.
U.S. moms lose an average of $9,500 thanks to unpaid maternity leave
A new survey found that over half of parents take unpaid parental leave.
Should I stay home or go back to work post-maternity leave?
As a new mom, your values and priorities will shift.
This study proves that paid parental leave benefits moms’ health—for decades
It's much longer than just the few short weeks after birth.
The Kyte Baby controversy highlights the drastic need for paid leave for NICU parents
Companies must take a stand to support their employees during the most trying time.
How new mom Naomi Osaka is serving up change
The four-time Grand Slam champ is teaming up with Bobbie to fight for paid parental leave: “Being a mom inherently makes you an activist.”
California’s new law allows mothers to take 5 days off for ‘reproductive loss’
California is only the 2nd state in the US to provide protected time off for this issue.
It’s time for employers to stop penalizing parents who take paid family leave
Paid family leave has made me a better leader, teammate, and more passionate human.
U.S. Army makes huge policy changes to help new parents
Parents who are soldiers inspired a new Army directive on parenthood, pregnancy and postpartum policies.