Husband Time Off After Birth

lisapr123

Okay, so I'm still a long ways out from d-day, but my husband has already informed me that he is taking the ENTIRE MONTH off. We're due 12-5 so he figured he'd just take all of December off work. He has a lot of paid time off--and it's a slow time of year for his team at work--so while it's feasible, I don't want him home that long!

Am I being dumb? It'll be our first. My gut reaction was "No. I'd rather you go to 4-day work weeks for a while instead," but he seems adamant about this. I currently work part-time and will stay home full time once the baby is here, if that matters.

lisapr123

I forgot about time out of the house, that'll be a nice option! it's the whole six weeks until they're human thing....I think it would be nice for him to enjoy more milestones as opposed to just that first month of (hopefully just) eating, sleeping, and diapering!

kellykneppergrundy

Mine takes 2 weeks off too and it goes way too fast. They are only newborns once so it's nice he will have that time with the baby, especially as December is such a busy month. My first was born 21/12 so I was glad to have him about to help with wrapping presents, shopping etc.

RBXChas

My husband and I are self-employed, so if we don't work, we don't make money. (We're lawyers, and we don't have any other lawyers on staff, so it's not like we can have our paralegal go to court for us and whatnot - at least one of us is required for the most part.) After our son was born, our income depended entirely on my husband, so he went back to work right away the day after our son was born. The day we left the hospital was a Saturday, so at least for our first two days at home, he was there. While it wasn't horrible or anything, I got really overwhelmed between total lack of sleep and my BFing issues. When my husband got home from the office, he didn't understand quite how involved a newborn was and that he wasn't entitled to downtime when I literally got zero downtime 24 hours a day! (I still pick on him about the time I needed his help urgently, and he looked at me and said, " But I'm in the middle of eating dinner." I nearly slapped him!)

Most people I know have dad home for a week or two. My husband might get under my skin if he were there for a month, but I remember how hard those first few weeks are and how helpful an extra pair of hands would be, which would trump any annoyance. This time my son is still going to preschool, so I can focus on the baby during the day, but my husband still has to be in the office pretty much right away after s/he is born.

Rubyayn

My husband was only working part time last time and could not take any time off really. This time he will be taking two weeks most likely. I will be going back to work part time after 12 weeks and he then plans on using his own FMLA to get one to two days off per week until his 12 weeks without pay is used up. This will mean that the kids will be with one of us pretty much all of the time, which is very important to us.

mamamc03

My hubby only got off the Thursday I delivered and the Friday and Saturday after. He was back at work Monday.

Jennloella

my husband is taking a month off as well and I wish it were longer! this is my third and I remember how hard it was, I'd much rather have him here helping than other family, and if we are both not working then we can take turns in the middle of the night without him getting to say, "but I work in the morning" I think it is an important bonding time and am very grateful he can be with us that long as I know most new Dads cannot.

lk27

My husband will take a week off when the baby is born, but I wish it was longer.

awolf2011

My DH owns his own construction company, so I'm sure he will only be off for a few days, though it will be in the middle of winter in Wisconsin, so maybe I'll get lucky and he will stay home longer. Who knows. I will have my nanny there though to care for my 2 yo. So, I will have some help while I'm on maternity leave.