An expat life: having a baby in the USA

With all the negative press about the US and it's reputation in the last decade or so one would expect the US to be a terrible place to bring up your children. What we found out is that the US is fantastic for families. We are having a much more positive experience since our baby's arrival than it was just the two of us here. 

Of course there are cons of living here as there would be in any other country in the world. The most obvious is the maternity leave, or near lack-of. I think it may vary from state to state but here in Connecticut you legally get six weeks off, but some companies may extend it to a couple of months. Compared to the UK where you get nine months leave (where we moved from) and Sweden where you get 18 months paid leave (where my husband is from), it is a real shame on the US government. Having said that the American culture is extremely family driven and many parents I know (moms and dads) are able to negotiate to work from home two days a week. In addition, it's relatively inexpensive to live here compared to other developed countries. We certainly would never survive on one person's wages any where else.

Maternity leave aside, our experience here in the US has almost always been wonderful when it comes to our baby. In connecticut where we are people are kind, friendly, and tolerant when it comes to babies and children. Our baby is mixed-race and I feel like people make much less of an issue about it than when we visit Europe. Another thing I really like is that it's almost always obvious that other parents are trying to bring their children up to be the best people they could be, most people are more polite and mindful of others around their children than when alone. I am sure this is true for all parents but it isn't always obvious when you see a parents cussing and smacking a child on the head, which I have never seen here (but have countless times in the UK).

Because many moms in the US chose to stay at home, there are a variety of moms groups and other social groups for babies and young children. Libraries run free story time, mother-goose, arts, and music programs. Libraries also have safe play areas and toys that can be borrowed as well as books. Playgrounds are aplenty in doors and outdoors, especially compared to Europe. It's also true that Americans are talkative, which is great when you are alone with your baby all the time. All in all, we love it here. Our baby is having a great time and when it's time to move away we'll be taking some great memories with us.