How a quirk in the system stopped Jennaâs family getting paid parental leave Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Save Normal text size Advertisement If Jenna Patterson had earned her husbandâs income, the family would have been able to access up to 18 weeks paid parental leave when she gave birth to twins 10 weeks ago. But Ms Patterson doesnât, and so her family, in effect, cannot. Jenna Patterson highlighted the inequality of paid parental leave when a mother earns over the threshold with her question to the Q+A panel. Credit:ABC