Making Every Day Count
Whether you get two weeks or two months, paternity leave is a precious opportunity to bond with your newborn and support your partner's recovery. Here's how to make the most of this time.
Before Your Leave Begins
- Know your rights: Understand your company's policy and any legal protections
- Plan ahead at work: Delegate responsibilities and set up out-of-office messages
- Set expectations: Communicate clearly with your employer about your availability
- Financial planning: Budget for any reduced income during leave
When to Take Your Leave
- Start immediately: Be there from day one to help with recovery and bonding
- Split it: Take some time at birth and save some for when your partner returns to work
- Extend with vacation: Add any available PTO to lengthen your leave
What to Focus On
- Bonding with baby: Skin-to-skin contact, feeding, diaper changes, and soothing
- Supporting recovery: Your partner needs rest. Take on household duties
- Learning together: Figure it out as a team