Paternity Leave - Take it or leave it?

Time has a way of flying - doesn't it?

After being off the past 3+ months on Paternity Leave, I'm officially back to work tomorrow. Watching my daughter literally transform before my very eyes from a tiny newborn to a (slightly less tiny) four-month-old has been one of the best experiences of my life.

It's funny, but I still remember the flood of questions and feelings of self-doubt I had after submitting my leave of absence request...

• Would it really be ok to take this much time off?
• How would my department get by without me?
• Why should I take this much time off, when most other guys don't?
• What if I get forgotten/replaced?
• Would I get bored spending that much time at home?
• What will my job and the company be like when I get back?

Luckily, the fear and anxiety behind these questions melted away as soon as I heard the first cooing sounds coming from our newborn daughter in the delivery room. It was at that exact moment that I knew I made the right decision. While I certainly raised more than a few eyebrows from co-workers, friends, and even family when I announced how long I'd be gone - I'm so thankful everyone has supported, and in most cases, even encouraged me in that decision!

Unfortunately, my story is far from the norm in the US, as this article suggests a staggering 76% of fathers in the US are back to work within a week of childbirth. This is surprising when the benefits of taking paternity leave are so profound.

Moral of the story: If you're a father to be - I highly recommend taking as much paternity leave as you possibly can. Use this time to get to know your newborn, help your significant other stay sane, and catch up on your sleep (you're going to need it). This unique moment in time will pass quicker than you could ever imagine.

P.S. if you're like me and have unnecessary anxiety - you can read up on the protections provided by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and rest easy knowing that your job will be there when you get back. Also, if you're one of the lucky ones who live in one of these seven states: New York, Hawaii, California, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Washington State, or Washington DC - you might even qualify for paid paternity leave (or get at least a portion of your paycheck subsidized) by your state!

Special thanks to my boss, Paul Brandwood and all my co-workers at 3|SHARE for allowing me this time to lay a great foundation for my daughter and I's relationship! Speaking of which, my daughter has just awoken from her slumber and is now attempting to break all the glass in our house with her incredibly high-pitched siren... so perfect time to wrap this up.

See you tomorrow - bright and early :)

- Brad