parental leave

[1dilemma]

Have seen several people on here refer to this recently and it's got me thinking. Are lots of people taking this? Is it proving easy to organise or are employers very reluctant?
Thanks

it really depends on who you work for as to whether it is easy or not. howver, saying that, you are entitled to it by law.

there is a maximum amount you can take by the time your dc/dcs are 13 (?) but i am not sure if this includes more than one child i.e., 13(?)wks per child. you may have to give them a lot of notice which is a bit silly but if it is an emergency, you are entitled to tke emergency leave but make sure that it si not put on your record as "sick" - this could count against you even though you may not have been sick.

the best place / people to contact are the union (if you are in one - if not, ia dvise you to join one asap) or the citizens advice bureau where they offer free advice.

hth?

i took 6 weeks at the end of my maternity leave for ds2, I was going to take 8 weeks ( ds1 still under 5 so 2 x 4 wks), but in terms of what i do it really made sense for me to be back in the office for those couple of weeks at that time of the year. I basically told my boss he didnt have much of a choice, but then i hadn't been there for a year anyway so it didn't make too much difference, and my employers have been very flexible with my since i went back after ds1.

ps i think parental leave is unpaid

have you looked at the dti guidance?

Thanks
I guess if it was paid we would all be taking it.
I have also wondered whether you could have it for each child I'm guessing you can.
I just wondered really whether people were actually getting it or it was one of those 'much talked about but never happens in reality' things.
Was thinking it would be nice to have some for summer hols once dcs start school (would of course be even nicer if it was paid!)

you can only take it upto their 5th birthday (unless disabled) so doesn't really work for school holidays - unless you have younger ones of course.
you do get it for each child.
The link i gave is good info on it.

I think I saw something in my contract about being able to take it for children up to age 8!!