Parental Leave

[KenAdams]

Does anyone make use of their 18 weeks of parental leave? If so, how do you use it (illness, childcare, holidays)? Does your employer frown upon you taking it?

I've never taken it and don't know if I know of anyone that has.

I took a few weeks in the summer holidays when DS was younger so I wasn't stressing over holiday child care.
We can actually buy an extra week's holiday each year so that's what I have tended to do instead as it means salary reduction is smoothed over the year.

Were your employers OK with it? I'd love to take some time over the summer.