I work for a very small company (10 people total). When my son was born, I took 6 weeks paid maternity leave. Now, my company is extremely good about working with me, and I could have taken more either unpaid or half-time, but I felt comfortable with 6 weeks. Because we are so small, there is a huge impact when even one person is missing for an extended amount of time. They had the daughter of a coworker come in and do some of my work part-time to help take the load off my manager, but everyone was happy I was back when my leave was over (or so they tell me
).
Most of the husbands in our circle of friends here work for the same, large employer and it's not unusual for the fathers to take a week or two off for "paternity leave." Now, how that is arranged with their company, I'm not positive. If it's counted against vacation or not; the husband only took three days off after our son was born.
As far as the show goes, I've only caught bits of it, but I think it's a good idea. I think many SAHMs are concerned about having viable, employable skills in the chance they should need to go to work due to necessity or want to go back to work after their children get older. I know part of the show is based in fantasy (high-end fashion designer! Gourmet chef!) but, IMO, it's still a legitimate issue.