https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:20:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-40185 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:43:24 +0000 Witz 40185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the great feedback. It seems like the consensus is to take consecutive leave.... interesting! </p> <p>And, yes, we are really lucky that his office has such a generous policy and that people are encouraged to actually use it. I wish my work's leave policy allowed me to take that much time fully paid too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39843 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:33 +0000 Weagle 39843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stay at home, so I don't have to worry about maternity leave. Hubs has about 6 weeks and we've been trying to figure out the best way for him to take it. I think he'll probably take two weeks off at the beginning and then maybe 2-3 days/week after that. Then again, that depends on when family and friends will be in town to visit (we have SO many coming that want to come pretty much immediately... Haven't yet figured out my feelings on that :)) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39775 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:09:06 +0000 littleveesmommy 39775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband doesn't get paternity leave, but he'll be using a week of vacation to stay home with us after the baby is born. You're so lucky! If I was in your shoes, I'd prefer if he could split it so he can stay at home with you for those first few precious weeks and then take the rest of the after your maternity leave is over. This would allow both the family bonding and also delay starting daycare. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39767 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:03:14 +0000 daniellemybelle 39767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is awesome paternity leave! My husband gets two weeks I think. If I were in your situation, I would absolutely do it consecutively. What a blessing to be able to have your child home with a parent until they are 7 months old, and not have to pay for 4 months of day care! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39671 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:29:08 +0000 heffalump 39671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a sahm, so I didn't have to worry about work, but I did have to worry about taking care of the baby alone. He didn't get paternity leave, so he took a week off and worked from home for a week. But when he worked from home, he didn't help me because I wanted to try it on my own and still have him there just in case. I think you'd be fine taking care of the baby by yourself after a week, and it would be worth it so you don't have to send your lo to daycare so early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39664 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:22:44 +0000 Clementine 39664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so jealous! My husband has NO PATERNITY LEAVE :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39660 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:20:01 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 39660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our situation is different, but I would split it up if you can. I agree with what everyone else says. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39636 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:40:14 +0000 SAHM0811 39636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @thehistoryofus in saying that daycare at 3 months is tough. I would try to have it so that my baby would go at around 6 or 7 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39633 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:28:50 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 39633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also suggest splitting it if he's able ... Maybe a few weeks at first, then the rest at the end. That much paternity leave is awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39630 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:25:16 +0000 T.H.O.U. 39630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We spent a few weeks home together (husband was between jobs). It was nice to have help but honestly after about 3 weeks it was nicer to just be in my own groove at home with her. </p> <p>Most FLMA leave does not have to be taken consecutively. Could you maybe have him take 2-3 weeks off in the beginning and then the remaining 15 weeks after yours? </p> <p>Also, I would encourage trying to delay starting daycare as long as possible. I was so happy I didn't have to send her at 6-8 weeks, but even at 3 months it was tough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39626 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:43:42 +0000 cvbee 39626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd do the consecutive thing, as I more so value one of us being home than us doing it together. But everything in parenting is a personal choice, and it sounds like you know what you want. Go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coordinating-maternity-amp-paternity-leave#post-39605 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:14:21 +0000 Witz 39605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband's employer allows (and, in fact, encourages) him to take 18 weeks of paternity leave... He has suggested that he take just a week of vacation when the baby is born, and then take his full paternity leave later on, after I finish up my 3-ish months of maternity leave and go back to work. Taking consecutive maternity and paternity leave is a growing trend in his office, and by doing it that way, our baby wouldn't start day care until about 7 months old. Although I like the idea that our baby could be at home with one or the other of us for the first 7 months, I always imagined that we'd take our leave at the same time. Also, based on everything I have learned about the first few months, I would prefer that he take it all as soon as the baby is born, so that we can be at home at the same time and can work together to find our rhythm with a new family member.</p> <p>For couples who have already gone through this phase, what did you do? If you and your partner were in our situation, would would you do? </p>