I live in Canada. I’m trying to get pregnant. I also hate my job and there aren’t a lot of options here. Would I be nuts to start looking at jobs in the US before having my kid here for free?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Absolutely crazy to consider that.

like

OMG don’t! US is like a third world country without maternity leave, no protection laws, nothing! 😱😱😱

like

Yes it’s almost unbelievable! Living in a country with one of the best maternity laws in the world I always ask myself how people on the US do it. And WHY there there hasn’t been a freaking revolution for this!

like

I have a different perspective. I’m Canadian and moved to NYC about 5 years ago. I believe you’re looking at about 10k to give birth with insurance (obviously varies a lot depending on your coverage). It’s a lot but my salary is way way higher here. Even if I self-funded a year of mat leave I would be far ahead. I know it’s a hard pill to swallow not having it be free, but if you look at the numbers it can still make sense to move here. I wouldn’t let the fear of dealing with the health care system discourage you from pushing your career forward. I love working and living here and my career has taken off in ways I hadn’t even dreamed of. The healthcare is overwhelming but it can be figured out just like taxes and mortgages and all that other grown up stuff.

like

You’re not pregnant yet. Start looking for a job in the US. You can always come home to deliver.

like

Do you have a partner or spouse to consider? Are they American? Moving here is not an easy thing to do.

like

Are you American? It’s difficult to get a visa here, even as a Canadian. And I am saying this as someone who has made that move.

like

Yes. Keep looking for jobs in Canada and take your time for the right fit. Start asking around and building connections that can keep you in mind for when something pops up. Also, your spouse's visa is a separate and independent thing from your potentially spousal visa conditions.
You can certainly look for work internationally but it doesn't seem like THE immediate first solution. Childcare in the US is a brutal affair. I hail from a country with up to 3 years of maternity leave so you need to go into this with eyes wide open on this and make the call for yourself based on your order of values and priorities.

like

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love it here and am glad I made the move too.

If OP really wants to live here it’s definitely worth her to pursue it IMHO. But it’s not always easy for a foreigner to find a job in this market as there’s a lot of local talent available.

like

Yeah the visas available to creatives aren’t always available to strategists. You can make a case for an O as a strategist if you are super senior and attached to award-winning campaigns. But it is much harder to meet the criteria.

I’m married to a CD and the visa options he had were so much better than mine.

The Canadian visa used to be a TN, not sure if that is still the case...The orange one has made many changes.

like

As a Canadian living/working in the US, you’re definitely not nuts. There are so many more opportunities and you can make a lot more money in the US than you can anywhere in Canada. Is there a chance of getting relocated within your agency’s network?

It’s hard to decide to leave your friends/family behind but if your partner will truly be a partner, it’s a good move. A lot of people in this thread mention cost, but a more important/permanent factor is immigration status. While Canadian citizenship is great, your child, having Canadian parents, will have access to that regardless. To be born with US citizenship unlocks lots of opportunities, especially if you’re choosing to settle in the US longer term. The TN is a temporary visa, and if your partner is doing more managerial than creative execution tasks day-to-day, it’s a little trickier to get a TN.

like

Yep, I meant to include that! I just meant in terms of job opportunities for your kid, going to certain colleges, the types of savings accounts you can have, etc.

Yes

How urgent is it for you to have a child? If it’s next year and you have no health insurance, I believe it costs 20k to give birth to a child here?

And then an extra 25k/year for any form of support? Like pre k / nannies / au-pair...

Anyone can share the finances? I may be off.

-
To get a job here, get an intro from a fellow Canadian who works in the US and knows you. That’s how I got a job in NY. I was in Toronto too and had an intro with someone who worked at the agency I was aiming for.

Yes.

Yes, you’d be crazy. There are tons of options for a GAD, at least in Toronto.

Related Posts

How old was ur first kid when u and ur partner left them for an overnight trip??

like

Anyone else think the What to Expect app is complete garbage??!! Seems like the information about the baby’s development and my body changes don’t cite any scientific sources and seems as though the app’s sole purpose is to get me to buy sponsored products. Is there anything better for us?

like

Looking to move to San Antonio and we're looking at places in Alta Vista and El Dorado. Pros and cons? We have two kids under five, so looking for a nice family community with good schools.

like

I am an elementary school teacher. My oldest son is feeling drawn to ECE. He loves children, loves to help in vacation bible school, wants to work directly with people to help them. Thoughts?

Your best strategies for getting business...Not looking for a silver bullet. I am interested in best practices that I might adopt.

like

I'm fairly new and today was the first time I had to assist a mother who came in to surrender her children, three kids all under the age of five years old... I did my best to remain professional but it was hard to see and be a part of. Has anyone else been in this situation?

Rant: I finally got a baby registry started and sent the link to family... and immediately was told all the things I need on there that I don't have (including things I'm opting to just NOT GET, like an electric pump - why is my nursing preference up for debate????). I hate it already. I'm tempted to take it down, buy it all myself and just tell people to start a college fund if it bothers them.

I'm 38, have had 4 miscarriages and the PRESSURE OF THIS PREGNANCY is unreal.

like

Any moms who really badly wanted a girl but ended up with a boy(s)? How do you feel now? Do you still want a girl? Would you try again? Does it matter really, or was it just in your head?

Had a difficult relationship with my mom growing up, so always wanted that closeness with my future daughter. FTM having a boy and a little disappointed, but feeling guilty for that too. Difficult pregnancy so likely won't have another. But I want a girl. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Please no woke left gender drama responses. Thanks.

like

Does anyone have experience relocating a semi-independent non-working elderly parent locally?
I’m looking to move my mom locally to take care of her in just over a year. She wants to live alone so I’m trying to figure out best options. So far im leaning towards buying her a small place so I don’t have to sink money into renting her a place and can at least get some equity. But would love perspective from others about best financial options for someone in my position

like

Read divorce thread posted a few weeks back, going through the same, I’d like to ask: how much was alimony and child support as a % of income? Full custody to spouse, have 2 children, area = NE US

helpful

I started dating this guy some months before covid struck.. he was literally crazy about me. He even stayed in Hyderabad for months just so that we could meet once before he went on to stay with his family. After that it had been a real roller coaster. He pampered me a lot before and now he hardly talks. We both have switched to different companies (earlier were in the same) and now he works 6 days a week. Sleeps or Vists his relatives or works on Sundays. Sometimes I feel he no longer loves me.

like

The wife, baby and I are moving to Greenville SC in the spring.

Would love to hear anyone’s experiences about the city and where you’d suggest we start our house search!

like

Found a most enlightening work on decolonial history with tons of TIL moments especially about Anti Colonial movements in Egypt, China, Japan and course India in the 19th and 20th centuries. Most histories this period often adopt a Euro-centric lens but this book flips it and tells the stories of these turbulent times from the vantage point of the pioneering Asian leaders like Tagore, Al Afghani, Kang Youwei etc. Lovers of Asian history would surely appreciate this book

Post Photo
like

Anyone here have two kids under two? Looks like it’s impossible to ‘balance’ work life. Mrs is expecting our second in a few months. First kid is 1. Is there any hope?

like

Hi Moms, anyone's OB suggested to get induce between 39 - 40 weeks if you are lower risk to decrease risk of c-section? Was told there's a study on it but as a FTM, I want it to start naturally if possible and not sure how I feel about inducing before due date.

like

Is Indy a good place to raise a family? Looking to hear from people who actually live here lol

like

How do you raise your kids without the making them feel privileged? Im on the partner track and seriously concerned about it.

likeuplifting

Guys - First time to be parent here in a few weeks. Any recommendations on good and cheap strollers and any other saving tips/resources our firms provide?

Thanks a lot!

like

More Posts

Any leads for good contract doc review attorneys/companies? Working on a complex internal investigation that requires analysis far beyond simple responsiveness coding and getting quotes that outsource to India for a fraction of the cost of reviewing in house is actually not what I’m looking for. Saving money is a consideration but primary driver is dedicated/consistent time commitment. Team is stretched too thin to make it through the volume.

like

Since this is an open forum where we can be honest, I've assembled a list of billable litigation tasks that can be done from a playground: Conference calls, File review, Fly on the wall depositions where your camera is off, Zoom cattle call status hearings. Any other suggestions?

like

How long do you stay in a rut vs. GTFO? As of Oct. I was involved on every project on my account, feeling valuable. My director has slowly been pulling me off projects & I’m feeling my brain get rusty

like

Hi I have worked for 5 years in a bank in retail banking,but now I am looking to switch to something else kindly advise on career opportunities where my experience may count as relevant.

like

Is this bowl dead? i was going to start a mpls bowl then realized this one “existed”

like

Honestly speaking my mind :
I was never passionate about tech stuff, but ended up being engineer in IT and now have almost 10 years of exp in same company i never tried to switch, now I think I should do switch and now when I looked back then what I have in my resume don't reflect me cause never intrested so never learnt anything seriously. Now I have clear mindset that I have to do this but hope so it's not too late. I have started from scrath not sure when will be i competative enough .

likefunny

How much of a pay decrease would you be willing to take to leave risk, if any

like

Any suggestions or advice to study for the LSAT?

like

Friendly reminder: IRA contribution limit increased from $5500 to $6000 in 2019. Make sure to update those automatic contribution amounts!

likesmart

Any good prayer spots in MCO?

I am planning to invest 20k per month in SIP. Please suggest 5 midcap and 5 small cap stocks? Duration: 5-10 years.

Post Photo
like

TEACHERS, this SHOULD NOT define you!!

Post Photo
likeuplifting

I recently started working as a receptionist at a clinic. Before I started, all I imagined was the adorable animals I’d get to see every day. I was not at all prepared for the trauma cases and euthanasias. How do you cope?

like

Can anyone suggest skills or credible certification to do for joining as product manager in IT firms

like

Hi 🐟
Salary credited for August??
EY GDS
As tomorrow is a holiday.
Hdfc bank account
EY

like

Looking to aquiring additional assets and clients. Anywhere in Ohio, Greenville SC, gulf areas of Florida or Jacksonville FL Preference. Dually registration with NFS/ Fidelity custodian. Redtail CRM. MoneyGuide Pro and Riskalyze planning software.

14 years experience with 9 years solo. Would prefer to aquire to transition.

like
like
like

Hi,
When you give in your resignation by email (whether you spoke to your HM prior or not): does the date you send your email count as day 1 of notice period or
is the day that your manager and/or HR acknowledge your email that counts as day 1?

Thanks

like

Additional Posts in Women in Advertising

Has anyone used Helixa? What are the pros and cons? We're considering bringing in the platform with the Helixa/GWI Fusion, but I'd like to hear someone's first-hand experience.

Has anyone ever done interview coaching or anything similar? Looking for resources or tips because I’ve had the chance to interview at some great companies but I keep blowing it...

like

How do you come out as gay when everyone assumes you are straight? Struggling to find the right time to say it.

like

I’ve never made “a book” and want to apply for art director roles. Where do I look for inspiring examples?

like

What’s the corporate way to tell a guy to “figure it out yourself, I’m not your personal Google” 🙄 this AD keeps asking me questions that are literally his job to figure out. My recent fav was him asking if I can summarize my copy for him so he can find an image. READ IT YOURSELF. THATS YOUR LITERAL JOB SIR.

likefunny

Can we start a list of WOC Creative Directors? I was asked to recommend one for a special program my network is hosting and couldn’t name one. Which sucks.

likehelpful

What industry-related podcasts do you subscribe? I’m listening to Digiday, AdExchanger, eMarketer quite often.

like

How do you deal with passive aggressive male managers who exclude you from opportunities because they’re pissy about something (but you don’t know what)?

like

Do you personally care how other people look like on camera? Obviously not talking big client meetings, but just day to day. I’m starting a new job soon, and thinking how much effort I should put into my face and tops lol At my current agency I got pretty comfortable with hoodies and just concealer to cover my dark circles.

like

Would you rather go to a smaller agency and work fully remote, or go to a very large financial company (talking 10,000+ employees) which the company policies are very by the book? This is for a social role. TIA!

like

I had a miscarriage on Tuesday, my first. I didn’t even know I was pregnant. The Dr. was just as baffled by the timing, but here I am. My head is trying to be practical, but my hormones are raging. I feel like a stranger in my own body. How do women do this and work at the same time? I’m a freelancer, I’m so busy at work, I don’t feel comfortable talking to my coworkers about this. I’m trying to just get through the week but am really struggling.

like

Has anyone started a new job right before going on maternity leave? I’m secure at my current company and know I am fortunate to have a job/have paid maternity leave on the horizon, but I am starting to get concerned the mental toll of staying at my current company is not worth it (have been feeling this way for months before I found out I was pregnant). I have a few other job prospects, but none know I am pregnant...

like

I got an offer that’s seems too good to be true! Now I’m having second thoughts that I’m not ready? I think I’m just being too self critical?! Did I sell myself more than I should have and am I good enough to deserve this? 😳😳

like

I’d like some financial input. I have $56k in a high yield savings account. Other than my checking acct (3-4k) and Roth/401k (which goes untouched) it’s basically all the money I have. (Zero debt/loans, no house/car) Should I be doing something else with part of the money? I know nothing about stocks or investing. Any thoughts?

like

I keep getting told that I need a hobby outside of the house. I work 12 hour days, go to the gym 4 days a week, and am the primary caregiver in the family...

like

My normally super regular period is now five days late (not pregnant)... Is this perimenopause? 😭 I’m only 44 and so not ready for this.

like

What are some things you’d tell your younger self? I’m approaching 26 and constantly wondering if my early 20s were well spent.

like

Whelp. I guess it was bound to happen at some point—between stress and sleep deprivation, today I cried the ugly cry at work.

likehelpful

As a newbie to the industry (1.5 years out of college with ~2 years at my agency), how do I know if I’m being underpaid for my work? Am I just naive to think I should be making more than $45K? Does it ever get better? Lol

like

I’m having my performance review tomorrow. Looked at my goals last year which was set before the pandemic really hit. Since it really affected business and travel I didn’t hit most of my goals. Plus I was really depressed (who wasn’t really) so I didn’t take much initiative. What’s a good way to navigate this...?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal