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Expectant/Newborn Dads

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TOPIC: Taking Time Off For a New Born

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DaddyRoger

Taking Time Off For a New Born
2 Years ago

I wanted get some advice from the wise Dads regarding taking time off for a new born. I'm expecting a baby in early Jan (I know its early to plan)

I will have accumulated a lot of vacation by then (around 30 working days) I will be eligible for FMLA where I live in California. I will also have Christmas Holidays at that time.

What is the right amount of time to take? Do I take time before/during/after the baby is born? I will have in-laws living with us for some support followed by my parents. They are very nice but I know that familiarity breeds contempt.

Last Edit: 2010/05/20 19:39 By DaddyRoger.

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bobjr79

Re:Taking Time Off For a New Born
2 Years ago

I was able to take the full 12 weeks FMLA and got paid for the whole time. I accrued an insane amount of sick leave because I never call in sick and the time never expires. I'm just really lucky that have a government job where I've been at for a long time. My brothers only took off two or three weeks when they had their kids. So defiantly take off as much time as you can but also remember to save some of that leave time for the unexpected.

I'll never regret it. Mostly because I'm totally replaceable where I work... in this case it was a good thing though. It wasn't a big deal, I was able to come back and it was as if I never left.

edit* Oh and I think according to FLMA you can't take off before the "qualifying event" but if your using vacation time it shouldn't matter. Thats what my HR department told me anyway.

Last Edit: 2010/05/20 20:30 By bobjr79.

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BenGee

Re:Taking Time Off For a New Born
2 Years ago

I found that the first week was absolutely essential that I be off. But we were blessed with family help, so I went back to work after the first week and saved my vacation for when the help dried up.

My boss was great, he let me take my vacation an hour at a time, so I could come in late and leave early. I found that having this flexibility was more valuable than if I'd have used all my vacation up front in one large chunk.

Plus, if you're like me, you'll need to get back to work after that first week to get a break. At least then you can run out to the car and take a nap! Women in general seem to go into nesting mode when the baby comes, where men seem to still need that occasional escape.

One more thing... aside from the first couple days, the first 2 months were waaaay easier than months 3 through 7. They sleep 20 hours a day the first month, but once they stop sleeping so much your fatherhood services will be required more often. One more reason to save up the vacation.

Good luck, and congrats too!

-Ben

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