I'm moving to Norway! - (not really)

DansMom wrote: A friend gave me an article from the NYT about Norway. You get 2 hours paid time each workday to breastfeed your baby either at home or in the office. You get 10 months maternity leave with full pay, or 12 months at 80 percent pay. Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful!

MommyToAshley replied: I wonder if we could get a group rate discount on plane tickets to Norway!!!

Now, that is a way to support family and BF!!! WTG Norway!

amynicole21 replied: Wow!! I am so jealous!! That's great that a whole country and government is so knowledgable on the benefits of bfeeding!!!!

Kaitlin'smom replied: wow I wish I could have had benifits like that! I only got 2 weeks paid the rest of the time I was off I did not get paid . Needless to say I could not afford to take as long as I wanted.

If I ever think of having more (which we are not) I will move there! LOL

supermom replied: Yes, at a 25-30% SALES tax rate (known as VAT - Value Added Tax) they ought to be able to support moms - LOL - my DH is from Sweden, almost same deal, and medical for those under 18 is basically free, but they pay for it one way or another........we have this discussion all the time......roflmbo!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Where I work, bfeeding moms have extra breaks to be able to pump. There is a daycare facility on the first floor, too, so they can go down there to feed their baby if they want to.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Well in Ontario you get 12mths paid leave, I can't remember what the percentage is! But you do not get paid to breastfeed, that would be wonderful!

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
I know that in Ottawa, the employment insurance act gives you 55% of your salary. Gov't offices give you an extra 38% of your salary, making 93% of your salary, for 50 weeks.

you don't get paid to breastfeed.... but usually they will allow you to take some extra breaks and stuff...I geuss it just depends where you work.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I've decided that even though there are some things (like free healthcare and maternity leave for 12 mos) that sound great and I would love to take part in...there are always downfalls like supermom said. *sigh* I guess we can't have it all. *sigh* Overall America is great and I love living here despite the benefits. I'm sure you Canadians feel the same way about some things, yes? I don't know much about Canada other than the maternity leave policy and healthcare benefits. (which I am truly jealous of) LOL!

coasterqueen replied: I saw that article. I'm right there with ya, lol. I would move in a heart beat, lol.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Oh and another thing I am jealous of that some countries have and we don't...the vacation policy!! We get a week's paid vacation per year (on average) and some countries get a 2 weeks paid vacation every few months. How wonderful would that be? We are so overworked! Even though I do not work outside of the home! But, I used to if that counts! Now, I never get a vacation!

Hillbilly Housewife replied:


I get 3 weeks of vacation time, anytuime during the year, however I want to divide it, and we have like 30 sick days a year, plus all these other days - 2 days personal time, jury duty, birth of child, 5 days for mariage, adoption, 37.5 hours worth of family related appointments, travel days (for people who travel on business), and we haev 3 hours a month for our own appointments, which we don't have to claim, it doesn't count as time off.....and I though we were cheap on time off!!

Guess I feel lucky now....

MommyToAshley replied: I totally agree with you. I KNOW how fortunate I am to have been born here. But, I do think we could improve our health care policies/coverage and our education system. I think we should have a national medical plan in which everyone is covered. The rich can afford medical insurance, the poor have medicade, and the middle income are left out! I also believe in school vouchers, I hope that gets passed. And, I think colleges should be state or federal funded and free... all children should have the right to go to college. So, while I do agree that we have some room for improvement, I am thankful to be a U.S. Citizen!

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: You are right! It seems like the middle class Americans are left out of a lot (including college funds). I am hoping it will all change. I know I won't become rich anytime soon, so the government is going to have to give! LOL!

Edited to say: My elderly neighbor is breaking the law and getting her meds in Canada b/c they are so much cheaper. She feels terrible, but simply cannot afford them in the USA. Why must things be this way? We are the richest country, are we not? We can afford to cut back some costs on certain things to make living here a little more comfortable.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Yeah...like sending all those soldiers overseas.

WHAT was Bush thinking?

Sorry - I'm a little bitter about this whole overseas turmoil thing. I'm upset that so much $ has to be spent. Why can't people just be nice of of the goodness of their hearts, and not for X bilion $$?

Maddie&EthansMom replied:

The question of the century, heh? Who knows. I agree, though. Shhhh! Don't tell DH!! I am just tired of the economy spiraling down. It really is affecting us and it hurts.


<------------ That's me on this whole subject! It's getting slippery up here! LOL!