Hello, I’m Ashley
I know what it feels like
to find out too late.
Certified leave management specialist. San Diego native. Mom of three boys. None of that is how I learned this, though. I learned it by getting it wrong the first time, in the way that costs you something you cannot get back.
Two leaves. Two very different numbers.
I took twelve weeks and thought that was all there was.
HR told me what I was entitled to, I believed them, and it never occurred to me to ask what else existed. So I went back on schedule, tired, in pain, and emotionally unwell, and assumed that was simply how it went for everyone. It was not. There was more time and money available the whole time, and nobody was going to mention it unless I knew to ask.
I lost out on $15,024 and 17 more weeks at home with baby.
By then I knew exactly what to ask for.
I learned it the worst possible way, seven months pregnant and facing job loss, which is what finally made me read the actual rules instead of taking somebody’s word for what they said. That time I took a full year at home, paid. Same laws. Same state. The only thing that changed was what I knew.
The state paid me $84,240 and I stayed home for a year.
Because I could have had that the first time.
California has some of the strongest parental leave laws in the country and almost nobody uses them fully. The rules are public, but they are scattered across agencies and written for administrators rather than parents. Most people find out what they missed afterward, if they find out at all. I built The Maternity Guru to close that gap one family at a time.
Different jobs, different babies, the same relief.
“She made me a timeline that clearly mapped out what programs were available and how long they ran for. Because of that, when the company that manages my leave tried to move me automatically to bonding time before I was ready, I was able to fight back.”
Brenna Pushed back and won“Ashley was able to correct the misinformation my company had given me, and we came up with a plan tailored to my unique situation.”
Cindy H. Her employer had it wrong“Ashley was extremely knowledgeable and made me feel very comfortable throughout the session. She was organized, clear, and easy to follow. She answered all of my questions thoroughly and provided me with a personalized guide and timeline tailored to my goals.”
Arezo M. Booked the full session“It provided so many answers I had plus so many more I hadn’t even thought of. Truly helpful, informative and broken down to understand well. Ashley was so sweet and has a very fast response rate.”
Simren L. Questions she had not thought to askLet’s work together
Let’s build the plan I wish I’d had.
You do not have to learn this the way I did. Bring me your dates, your job, and whatever your employer has told you so far, and we will work out what you are actually owed.
