American mom in Germany revealed her maternity leave after her son turned one — and U.S. moms couldn’t help feeling jealous
It is still unusual to see countries provide extensive support for new parents. An American living in Germany, Liza Ebbecke, shared her experience on TikTok under the handle @liza_ebbecke in a video posted on April 22, 2026, where she spoke casually about life as a mother abroad and her time away from work. As reported by PEOPLE, her post quickly drew attention, and one detail about her situation left many viewers surprised and even jealous, as it revealed a level of maternity leave that felt far beyond what many expected or had access to.
@liza_ebbecke Still feels unreal how long parental leave is here 🇩🇪 How much time do you get where you live? #maternityleave #lifeingermany #momsoftiktok #firsttimemom #europelife ♬ original sound - Liza | Mom in Germany
In the now-viral TikTok video, she spoke about her son’s first birthday and casually linked it to her work break, saying, “My son turned one yesterday, and that means that I have two more years of maternity leave.” She added, “Which is just amazing. I love you, Germany.” That single line made many viewers pause, as it revealed she still had a long parental leave ahead of her. For many in the United States, where paid leave is often limited or not guaranteed, the idea felt very different from their own experiences.
As the video spread, people began reacting strongly, and one clear theme appeared in the discussion, showing how work-life balance and family support can vary widely depending on where someone lives. Ebbecke later said the attention grew quickly, and she shared, “My comment section completely exploded,” as users compared policies and expressed surprise at what they were learning.
She explained that in Germany, parents can take up to three years of job-protected leave, though many choose shorter breaks depending on their finances. She added, “Parents receive up to around €1,800 monthly depending on their situation,” noting that most families she knows return earlier because the highest government support is usually available in the first year. A broader view of how policy shapes everyday parenting quietly reflects how systems influence life choices more than people often realize.
As reactions continued, Ebbecke said many viewers shared emotional messages after watching her video and learning about the differences in benefits. She noted that some felt hopeful while others felt discouraged after comparing their own situations. “A lot of Americans have commented that they feel emotional, frustrated, or even discouraged, comparing it to maternity leave policies in the U.S.,” she said, while others said the video helped them understand how differently countries can support parents during early childhood.
The short clip has amassed over 2.7 million views since being shared online. @scotlynberry joked, "For my mental health, this is AI." @sarah__short shared, "Oh my God, crying from the USA. I got zero paid maternity leave when I had my daughter." @abevansss commented, "This is so depressing for us moms in the USA." @khila.danielle mentioned, "I get nothing in the USA. I’m taking 12 weeks unpaid off (which is kind of standard) and hope I still have a job when I come back." @mh1278e exclaimed, "Canada has paid 12 to 18 months maternity leave, and I’m so thankful!"
For more lifestyle content, follow @liza_ebbecke on TikTok.
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