What do you write in a maternity leave card?

Reassure them their work is covered, wish them well with the birth, and say you look forward to their return. Keep it warm and light.

Can I use this card for paternity or adoption leave?

Yes. The prompts are written for any parent heading on leave.

When should we give a maternity leave card?

On their last day before leave. If the baby arrives early, you can deliver the card at any time.

🤱 Maternity leave card

A maternity leave card from all of us

Leave day is busy. Collect the team’s wishes before she goes, so there’s something warm to read during those 3am feeds — and nobody has to pass an envelope around the office.

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What makes a good maternity leave card

A maternity leave card is part goodbye, part good luck. Your colleague is about to step away for weeks or months, and the card is a reminder that the team is cheering for them and will welcome them back.

Messages that work best are reassuring and practical: their work is in good hands, they shouldn’t check email, and you’re excited to meet the baby (on a video call, eventually).

Messages people wrote

Don’t check Slack. Truly. We’ve got it, and we can’t wait to meet the little one on a video call.

— Ines

Sleep when you can, eat the snacks people bring, and ignore every email with ‘quick question’ in it.

— Tom

We’ve got your projects. You’ve got the important one now. Enjoy every minute.

— Laila

Wishing you an easy delivery, lots of sleep (we can dream), and a very happy family.

— Martin

Don’t open Slack. If you do, we’ll know. Sending so much love to you all.

— Priya

The team won’t be the same while you’re away. Can’t wait to hear all about the little one.

— Cole

When to send it

Collect messages in the two weeks before leave starts and deliver on their last working day. If the baby arrives early, deliver as soon as the news is shared.

Tips for the organiser

Reassure them their work is covered — it’s often the biggest worry.
Make prompts inclusive of paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave.
Pair with a group gift from their registry using the gift collector.
Make a note to send a welcome back card when they return.

Prompts on the card

Contributors see these when they sit down to write.

A wish for their time at home.
Something them should know we’ll handle while they’re away.
Your best (gentle) piece of new-parent advice.

What to write in a maternity leave card

Example messages for each relationship and tone, ready to copy or adapt.

Questions, answered

Start a maternity leave card in a minute

Set up a card in under a minute — free, no credit card. Invite the team, gather their messages, and hand over a keepsake worth holding onto.

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No credit card required.