When do most DH take 2 weeks off?

[mamabrownbear]

We are expecting our first DD in 4 weeks and my DH's work has asked him when he wants to take his OPL. What do most folk do? Obviously we don't want him taking time off then bumpy to decide to arrive late so he gets less time with her. Equally we have heard of people who take their OPL later as grandparents and friends are buzzing around for the first week or so and really they just want the time to be together, alone...? I'm tempted to suggest he takes the 2 weeks around the due date...bumpy will come when she is ready - early or late, who knows but I want him to be there, it's his baby too so some suggestions would be most welcome :)

[MintyyAeroEgg]

Mine took all the time off from dob onwards. He wasn't going to be any use to me while we were still waiting for the babies to arrive!

[ben5]

lucky you! ds1 dh was back to work after a week. he had no time off before
ds2 he arrived home nearly midnight on the Friday ( to Plymouth) and when ds2 was born at 5am on the Sunday he was on the rd upto Glasgow by lunchtime. Got to love being married to a sailor!!!

[GTbaby]

After dob one week. Then went bk for a week then another week off.
I had other help during his week bk at work tho. So take that into account.

[GTbaby]

Oh and check with work and see how flexible they are. LO was 2 weeks early n there was no issue with DH taking time off earlier.

[rosiedays]

DH is taking 3/4 weeks from time baby is born. his boss has said just send a msg to let us know your not coming in and that all is ok. he's then taking 4 weeks when baby has had all her Jabs so we can take her to see his mum. (overseas) he has saved ALL his holiday for after she is here so he can spend as much time as poss with her while she is new

[IJustWoreMyTrenchcoat]

Can his employer be a little flexible? You can't produce a baby to order! I hope his boss would understand that and not enforce leave before your baby arrives. My partner's boss has his leave pencilled in for the due date, but has no problem if he has to adjust this. Partner has tagged 2 weeks annual leave on to the end as well and can't wait. I don't know if he is more excited about our first baby or 4 weeks off work...

[HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm]

Dh gets 2 weeks. He's booked the week after my 42week date and the other week he's taking flexibly from when the baby is born. I went to 40+13 with DC1, and average gestation for first babies is 41+3 so definitely don't book too early.

Agree with pp, see how flexible they will be, sometimes one week booked and the other as and when is quite acceptable. If he has to precook he's still entitled to have the day/s off to support you in labour AFAIK.

[noisytoys]

My DH went back to work the day after both DDs were born we couldn't afford the drop in salary

[lollypopsicle]

Legally, paternity leave can't start until the birth of the baby. Your DH could take annual leave before if you wanted him to, though.

[marzipananimal]

You can't take paternity leave before the birth. I think most people just take 2 weeks from the day the baby arrives, that's what DH did

[GaryBuseysTeeth]

DH gets 5 days.
DS2 is due start of August, he's booked his for over the August bank holiday (with 'normal' leave for the whole rest of August).

Did the same with DS and cancelled/added days on a day by day basis, work was fine with it.

[HelgatheHairy]

I'm in Ireland and there is no paternal leave but DH is taking 2 weeks holidays. He'll be with me when I give birth then go to work the next day to hand things over and then 2 weeks off. Luckily enough his boss understands as his wife is due around the same time I am.

[elliejjtiny]

DH is taking his leave from the day I go into labour. Not sure if he'll take 1 or 2 weeks off yet. He can be flexible for paternity leave but not for AL

[Daisybell1]

Never, farming's great