My Months Off as a Pano-Parent

I'll never forget it. The news came on September 9th, 2021.

"But Steven, I thought your baby was born in November!?"

That is true. But the moment I'll never forget is when my jaw literally dropped, and I jumped up out of my desk with excitement after reading a company update from Panorama Education.

You see, when you are expecting your third baby boy, you still don't know what to expect. All I did up until reading this company update was think about the flashbacks associated with an interrupted sleep schedule, working all day, and general over-tiredness.

Then with one email, all that anxiety faded away. Here's what it said:

16 weeks fully paid parental leave for all parents. All parents, regardless of caregiver status and tenure are eligible for 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave. Knowing that my work (and job!) were secure while I spent time with my family is a feeling like no other.?

My head couldn't even comprehend what that news meant for me and my family. I read some statistics about when dads take paternity leave:

• They're 26% more likely to stay married
• Their relationship with their kid improves for at least 9 years
• Moms are 26% less likely to need anxiety medications
• Dads' brains rewire to be responsive to baby
• Both parents sleep more
• Yet only 9% of US dads get paid paternity leave

My newborn was welcomed into the world on November 10th (thanks Panorama for the hoodie to keep me warm at the hospital), and I officially started my parental leave on Thanksgiving of 2021. I can proudly speak to all of the statistics above (maybe not the 9 years thing yet).

I can also honestly say this was the least stressful newborn period my wife and I have had.

These past months were spent doing every activity I could think of… with my boys. It’s been amazing and this perk should be honored everywhere. I’m beyond appreciative to Panorama for introducing this new policy that focuses on our core value, Care About People. It’s life-changing.

I got woken up at 11pm. Then 2am. Then 5am. Then 6am with the older boys to play and start our day. But guess what.? I didn't have to clock in by 8am and then spend a full day strategizing, organizing, planning, and producing. I got to drive my oldest to daycare, play some more with my middle guy, and then crash for a mid-day nap with my youngest.

During my months as a Pano-Parent, I connected with my kids. It's a time that has never happened in my life, and will never come again. I genuinely feel that I was brought closer to all of my boys and saw their individual personalities develop.

I knew 4 years ago with the birth of my first child that my life and purpose were forever changed. These years have gone by so quickly. I’m grateful that I was able to hit pause and enjoy everything that I have.

This is my appreciation letter to?Panorama Education. I don’t even know how to express what this experience meant for my family. The peace of mind I had over the months knowing that what I started was still in motion and advancing is incredible.

Thank you.

As I transition back to work I feel at one hundred percent at ease. In some ways, it feels like I never left, and I’m picking up right where I left off.? In other ways, so much has happened at the company that it feels brand new.?

Panorama offers a flexible 4-week return for all parents. This could look like returning part-time, with no meeting days, or an adjusted schedule. I personally dove headfirst back in, because there is so much that I want to accomplish. Although my day starts a little later since I manage three separate drop-off locations.?

I feel re-energized and ready for my next phase of working as a Pano-Parent.?

Plus with a newborn, I watched a lot of Netflix. A lot of foul-mouthed, scary, violent, adult-themed Netflix. Next on the watchlist? Cocomelon.