For Parents

Because Parental Leave Shouldn’t Feel this Confusing

Helping parents understand their leave, organize the details, and move forward with confidence.

Our Mission

To give parents the clarity, structure, and support they need to plan their parental leave with confidence and return to work feeling prepared

Our Mission

To give parents the clarity, structure, and support they need to plan their parental leave with confidence and return to work feeling prepared

We've Lived It

We built Manela while navigating parental leave ourselves: the questions, the paperwork, the second-guessing, and the late-night searching for answers that actually made sense.

We know how overwhelming it can feel to piece everything together while still trying to do your job, take care of yourself, and prepare for what’s coming. Manela exists to make that process clearer, calmer, and easier to manage.

We've Lived It

We built Manela while navigating parental leave ourselves: the questions, the paperwork, the second-guessing, and the late-night searching for answers that actually made sense.

For parents By Parents

At Manela, we believe no one should have to figure out parental leave on their own.

We’re a team of working parents who’ve spent years navigating leave policies, benefits, finances, and return-to-work planning firsthand, and researching how families actually experience this transition. We built Manela to bring that knowledge together in one place, so you don’t have to rely on scattered advice or guesswork.

Our goal isn’t to overwhelm you with information. It’s to help you understand what applies to your situation, organize the details that matter, and move forward feeling steadier and better informed.

For parents By Parents

At Manela, we believe no one should have to figure out parental leave on their own.

+

hours of research studying parental leave experiences

+

hours of research studying parental leave experiences

%

of parents wished they had more help planning their leave

%

of parents wished they had more help planning their leave

+

years of studying this lived in experience

+

years of studying this lived in experience

Why It’s Worth It

What Makes Us Best

Problems you've heard, solutions you've needed

We’ve spent years listening to parents talk about their leave— the confusion, the anxiety, and the moments where support fell short. Everything we build starts there. Our tools, articles, and resources are shaped by the real questions parents face, not assumptions about what they should need.

Supported by HR leaders

Manela isn’t just built for parents. It’s also trusted by HR teams who understand that clear, well-supported leave planning leads to better outcomes for everyone. When organizations invest in Manela, they’re supporting parents during a critical transition and helping create a more sustainable, thoughtful workplace.

Information Parents Actually Ask For

Our content is driven by real questions, not policy summaries. From "How do I tell my manager?” to “Can we afford to take my full leave?”, we focus on answering what parents are already worrying about — clearly, practically, and without unnecessary complexity.

This Is Just the Beginning

Parental leave is one chapter, but we're building resources for the entire journey—from pregnancy announcement through return to work and beyond. We're here for every transition, every question, every milestone.

Client Testimonials

You’re Not Alone,
Hear From Others Like You

" My company changed all the software I had been using there for years while I was gone. When I returned I wasn't offered any trainings or support on the new tools to do my old job."

" I went on paternity leave twice at the same place and each time got lost in the system."

" I ended up owing my company a few thousand dollars in back health insurance payments. I had no idea I needed to continue to contribute to my group benefits while on leave."

" I needed to leave work earlier than my announced leave date for medical reasons. Because it was before my announced date I was expected to continue working until my announced date."

"The online sessions made it so easy to get help without stepping out of my comfort zone. I felt just as connected and cared for."

"After losing my father, I struggled deeply. My grief therapist helped me find space for the pain, without letting it define me."

"I was going through a very difficult breakup, and counseling gave me the tools to heal. I felt safe, heard, and respected from day one."

"Therapy changed my life. After years of hiding my anxiety, I finally opened up — and I’m so grateful I did. My counselor was incredibly kind and supportive."

"After losing my father, I struggled deeply. My grief therapist helped me find space for the pain, without letting it define me."

" I went on paternity leave twice at the same place and each time got lost in the system."
" My company changed all the software I had been using there for years while I was gone. When I returned I wasn't offered any trainings or support on the new tools to do my old job."
"I had no idea I had to continue paying my companie's group insurance, It was a financial burden really"
" I needed to leave work earlier than my announced leave date for medical reasons. Because it was before my announced date I was expected to continue working until my announced date."

Common Questions

Your Questions Answered

Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Journey

1. Is Manela advice, or a planning tool?

Manela is a planning and clarity tool. We help you understand how parental leave applies to your situation, organize the details that matter, and see the bigger picture more clearly. We don’t replace HR or government services, we help you make sense of them.

2. Does Manela replace my employer or HR team?

3. Is Manela specific to Canada?

4. What if my situation is complicated or non-traditional?

5. When should I start using Manela?

Common Questions

Your Questions Answered

Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Journey

1. Is Manela advice, or a planning tool?

2. Does Manela replace my employer or HR team?

3. Is Manela specific to Canada?

4. What if my situation is complicated or non-traditional?

5. When should I start using Manela?

Common Questions

Your Questions Answered

Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Journey

1. Is Manela advice, or a planning tool?

2. Does Manela replace my employer or HR team?

3. Is Manela specific to Canada?

4. What if my situation is complicated or non-traditional?

5. When should I start using Manela?

Because Parental Leave Shouldn’t Feel this Confusing

Because Parental Leave Shouldn’t Feel this Confusing

Our Mission

Our Mission

We've Lived It

We've Lived It

For parents By Parents

For parents By Parents

+

+

%

%

+

+

What Makes Us Best

What Makes Us Best

Problems you've heard, solutions you've needed

Supported by HR leaders

Information Parents Actually Ask For

This Is Just the Beginning

You’re Not Alone,
Hear From Others Like You

You’re Not Alone,
Hear From Others Like You

You’re Not Alone,
Hear From Others Like You

Your Questions Answered

Your Questions Answered

Your Questions Answered

An inclusive system that reflects care, not just compliance

An inclusive system that reflects care, not just compliance

An inclusive system that reflects care, not just compliance

Because Parental Leave Shouldn’t Feel this Confusing

Because Parental Leave Shouldn’t Feel this Confusing

Our Mission

Our Mission

We've Lived It

We've Lived It

For parents By Parents

For parents By Parents

+

+

%

%

+

+

What Makes Us Best

What Makes Us Best

Problems you've heard, solutions you've needed

Supported by HR leaders

Information Parents Actually Ask For

This Is Just the Beginning

You’re Not Alone, Hear From Others Like You

You’re Not Alone, Hear From Others Like You

You’re Not Alone, Hear From Others Like You

Your Questions Answered

Your Questions Answered

Your Questions Answered

An inclusive system that reflects care, not just compliance

An inclusive system that reflects care, not just compliance

An inclusive system that reflects care, not just compliance

You’re Not Alone,
Hear From Others Like You

You’re Not Alone,
Hear From Others Like You

You’re Not Alone,
Hear From Others Like You