| Half a century ago, new mothers resuming their jobs | | | | mothers to enjoy time off from work without worrying |
| while leaving their children in the care of others was | | | | about the loss of their jobs. Another federal law states |
| mostly unheard of. Traditionally, the father was the one | | | | that it is illegal to fire or refuse to employ a woman |
| who worked outside the home and was the | | | | because she is pregnant or to terminate her because |
| breadwinner while the mother stayed at home to care | | | | of maternity leave. |
| for the kids. However, many women of today find that | | | | Unfortunately for some women, the FMLA law only |
| staying at home with their baby is far more difficult | | | | applies to businesses with more than fifty employees. |
| that it was decades ago when the income of one | | | | Furthermore, you must have worked for the same |
| spouse was usually enough for providing a | | | | company for a minimum of one year and for at least |
| comfortable living. Nowadays, two incomes are usually | | | | 1250 hours. This means that if you haven't had the |
| required just to keep things afloat. Another reason for | | | | same job for at least one year or only worked |
| going back to work is that many women do not want | | | | part-time, you cannot be guaranteed maternity leave. |
| to give up their careers after starting a family. | | | | Even women who are eligible often can't afford to |
| Maternity leave is a common option available to new | | | | take twelve weeks off from work. |
| mothers who want or need to keep their full-time jobs. | | | | So, what options are open to you? If you are |
| Although not a long term solution, it is helpful for a | | | | determined to stay at home with your baby, working |
| couple of reasons. Bonding between mother and child | | | | from home may be possible. Your company may |
| during the first few weeks after birth is necessary for | | | | allow telecommuting. If not, you may want to look into |
| the baby's healthy mental and physical development | | | | other career paths that do allow you to work at home, |
| and for the mother's recovery. | | | | such as medical transcription. You may try doing an |
| What should you know about maternity leave in the | | | | online search for such jobs. Some of the common |
| United States? First and foremost, there is no federal | | | | freelance jobs that allow you to make money at home |
| law which guarantees paid maternity leave. This | | | | using your computer with an internet connection include |
| makes it difficult for mothers to stay at home without | | | | writing articles, editing, proofreading, website design, |
| worrying about monthly bills. | | | | graphic design, illustration, etc. The great thing about our |
| According to a federal law, the Family & Medical | | | | computer age is that more mothers than ever before |
| Leave Act, women are guaranteed up to twelve | | | | in history can now make money while staying at home |
| weeks of maternity leave. This law is in place to allow | | | | with their babies. |