[Cameron]

Just another motivation to stay on this path of financial independence. Going to enjoy every second being with my daughter. First Father’s Day tomorrow

[Eric]

I never had that opportunity. Took 2 days off with child #1 and 2 days off for child #2. That said, as a manager, under the new benefits, I fully support paternity leave and work with my employees on how they want to use it. We have the discussion up front once they share the good news with me (expecting or adopting). I get to share the good news with them (their benefits). Win-win.

[Monica]

My husband never got paternity leave. I think that paternity leave is a wonderful thing. What a gift to you and your wife. Maybe I wouldn’t have had a major melt down at 2 weeks postpartum. I vividly remember my husband getting ready for bed and my sweet baby just wide awake. I had visitors for the last 2 weeks and I was utterly exhausted.

I begged him to hold her and let me just take a nap. He did, but I slept hard. Lol My 30 minute nap lasted 4 or 5 hours. He was still holding her when I woke up. God Bless the good daddy’s of the world.

[Caelie]

My band director from high school is married to a counselor at the same school. They were surprised with a child when my director was 45 (not planned AT ALL, they didn’t intend to have kids, not sure if there were previous concerns about fertility or not), and she and her husband both took a bunch of time off, her the first few weeks and him a few weeks after.

I thought that was the coolest thing. I’m trying to convince my fiance to take some time off early on when we reach the point of having kids, but he’s not so sure about it.

I think it would be really helpful for me and baby and really rewarding for him if he did, but that’s of course not the norm, so…

[Sean]

Happy Father’s Day!

Here are some thoughts and ammo that may help. Push back on that shame and be an example to others as well to help change this toxic element in your corporate culture. I’ve taken (6-16 weeks of) Pat leave 3x and will be taking a 4th over 11 years at my company that spans my bio and foster kids.

The shame is one of many issues we need to root out in the workplace. You’re doing this for your kiddos, your partner and you. An argument can also be made that you’ll be better at work for all when you return. Examples – this creates a culture where one can bring their full selves to work, it sets a great example to other men to step up and shoulder their share of parenting equitably promoting equal parenting in a society where it is far but equal, it promotes womens opportunities as well by ensuring that your partner has the ability to work hard knowing their paternal partner is taking care of home.

If you’re in a leadership role, other junior employees at your company may get leadership opportunities and rotations while you are gone (expanding their skill set as well).

[Rob]

Nope! I took my max 10 weeks and used some special funding grants that were available too. High school teacher which made the decision to leave my students hard but a no brainer to spend more time with my son. He’s 10 months old now and between paternity leave and quarantine, I’ve been home full time with him for the majority of his life so far.

[Nick]

That’s absurd but not surprising. Every workplace I’ve ever been a part of has people who brag about never getting sick or taking their paid leave. I usually keep my mouth shut but really want to tell them it’s moronic to think you’re cool because you don’t take the paltry number of free days given to you.

[Author]

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