TLDR:
- Maternity leave is a crucial period for adjustment and bonding, not a vacation.
- Many women have misconceptions about maternity leave, realizing its challenges only after experiencing it.
Samira Shihab, a mother of three and founder of two companies, shared her experience with maternity leave in a LinkedIn post. Initially viewing it as a time for relaxation, Shihab soon discovered the demanding nature of caring for a newborn. She emphasized that maternity leave is not a holiday but a vital chapter for all working moms.
Shihab’s story reflects the experiences of many women who juggle career growth and motherhood, balancing responsibilities despite the lack of comprehensive parental leave policies. In the US, for example, there is no guaranteed paid maternity leave, contrasting with Asian countries like Indonesia that offer 90 days of maternity leave.
Maternity leave is a complex journey that varies for each woman, highlighting the need for policies that support working mothers in their transition to parenthood while maintaining their professional responsibilities.
