3 months paternity leave - how would you use it?

[happyclam]

Hello!

I'm really lucky that my husband gets 12 weeks paternity leave at full pay (plus 27 weeks at 2 x SMP after that but I'm not sure he'll take it). He can take it in up to two blocks.

It's our first baby so we're stuck about when he should take it - keen to hear anyone else's advice or experience?

I'm planning on taking a year, but might go back after 9 months depending on how I'm feeling about everything.

We were wondering about him taking 6 weeks after birth and 6 weeks later (either over summer when the baby is 6-7 months or to support me transitioning back to work after 9-10 months)

All ideas welcome!

Sorry, I meant to say it was 3 weeks Shared PL second time. 5 weeks total. I think it's ideal to have the first month or more together if you can.

Is he able to make the decision when you know how the birth goes? We had 2.5 months paternity leave (but were able to split it over 3 periods in the first year). Our baby came over Christmas so holidays meant he had a month off at the beginning, then he had a month off in July and we're taking the other month in September. It's been SO wonderful for dh to spend precious time with dc and to learn his routines and personality. I'm also in the process of setting up my own business so I've been able to take time to work on that before dc goes to nursery later this year.

I wish we'd been able to travel a bit more but some health issues with dc have meant that's not really possible, however we've worked on some big projects around the house which have needed attention forever!

We had about 12 weeks together at the start and it was absolutely wonderful. We were able to do so much more together than I’d have managed alone and it boosted each of our confidences in our ability to be with the baby. It was magical and I look back on it with nothing but fondness. 2 weeks’ paternity leave is archaic.