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It was a conversation Deena Savlov never expected to have with her husband. Savlov, 28, a medical resident, expected she would take a full year of maternity leave after her son, Noah, was born 10 months ago.
But with economies melting down worldwide, she and her husband discussed whether it might be more prudent for her to return to work early. "Instead, we decided to buckle down on our finances, cut back on our outings and expenses," said Savlov yesterday, catching lunch with a friend at Ciccio Sandwiccio, an economical Italian restaurant near Yonge St. and Lawrence Ave.
Working women in Canada can look forward to as much as 50 weeks' paid leave to tend to their new babies, but it often means taking a pay cut that families, facing staggering new expenses, can ill afford.
In uncertain economic times, it can mean stealing time away from baby to bring in a much-needed paycheque.
Elementary school teacher Chantelle Nicholl, 28, said she'll be returning to work in September this year instead of October.
She and her husband rely on rental income to help pay the mortgage on their house in Orillia, and interest in their apartment has waned along with the economy.
Meanwhile, she's trying to pick up work as a supply teacher. She can earn up to $50 extra a week without losing any of her maternity benefits, which total $837 every two weeks.
"I'm a little sad. She changes so much in a month," said Nicholl of her infant daughter. "I would have liked to do my whole maternity leave."
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"I think the average person would probably build up debt without even factoring in the economy. It's hard to get into the swing of things, trying to change your lifestyle," said Martins.
Naomi Greenhill, 40, said having to make do with less has taught her she doesn't need as much. She's stopped shopping and started saving and plans to stretch out her maternity leave by an additional six months.
"The money I spent on clothes was insane," said Greenhill. "When you're working, you celebrate everybody's birthday, you buy $50 lunches, a gift." These days she opts for $7 lunches, and takes advantage of classes at the local library.
- reprinted from the Toronto Star