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Maternity and Parental Leave
Making the Most of Time with Baby By Gwen Morrison
Employees who are on maternity or parental leave may request, in writing, information about any opportunities for training and promotion that the company is offering other employees.
"I just finished my last class in the Certified Pharmacy Technician course," says Macdonald, whose baby was born in November 2001. "Now I am ready to take the exam in October along with everyone else. I was glad I could do it while I was off work."
By taking the course, Macdonald has kept up with her certification, even though she was on leave from the pharmacy that employed her at the time.
All this free time what is a parent to do? Some parents have told me they are not finding that they really have a lot of "free" time, but are thrilled to be spending their days watching their child's first year unfold.
"Free time?" says Macdonald. "Let's see when I am not washing floors, dusting, ironing, cleaning baths, vacuuming, washing clothes, cooking dinner, feeding the baby, I try to sneak in a quick shower."
Macdonald has found that there really isn't a lot of free time, as she now has two children at home with her, but she makes the most of the time she does have alone with her new baby.
"The YMCA near us has a wonderful Parents and Tots swim," ays Macdonald. "It is for ages 3 months to 3 years old. A friend of mine went to all those kinds of classes, and both Mom and Baby had so much fun."