Asking for Parental Leave

[AintWorried]

Looking for advice here! I have a toddler and currently work in an intense office environment with needlessly high strung managers. It's come at the cost of me not being able to spend time with my DC (attends full time nursery) as I work long hours.

I've recently come across Parental leave www.gov.uk/parental-leave and would like to use it. I was thinking of taking a week off to rest and spend time with DC. Financially it would be ok but my worries are:

1. Am I making a mistake taking time off when my daughter is so young, would it be better to save it for when she's older.
2. How do I ask my manager about this? No one in my office has taken parental leave before (also not many working mums). Should I ask HR first then approach my manager.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Take just the one week. As they get older that then keeps the bulk of it free. You might need it for summer holidays/unforseen circumstances. I would start by asking HR if they have a policy on it.

Also keep in mind they don't have to give you the week you ask for but can suggest another date.

Thank you @hattyhathat
I'm anxious as I'm not sure when's the best time or when my child will need me to take the leave most. My DH is also entitled to this parental leave from what I understand.
Im worries that im being foolish by taking the one week now just so I can rest and spend time with her.

Absolutely not foolish "spend more time with their children" is one of the reasons. I hope to take a week when they start school and have to mess about with half days.

it's not at all foolish, DH or I often book a week off with DS just to spend time with him (annoyingly though atm we can't afford an unpaid week off on top of still having to pay nursery fees for that week so use annual leave rather than parental leave)

I took a week off each when mine were 2 and 3 year olds. Nice to spend extra time with them at that age.
Remember when they're older you may not necessarily get parental leave in school holidays. Employer can't refuse it but they can move it by several weeks depending on needs of the workplace.

Even if you take a week now that still leaves you with 17 weeks to use over the next 15 years.

Nobody can plan that far ahead - and you might have an entirely different work situation by then. Just make the best decision you can right now.

A week is hardly extravagant.

Also, you can only take 4 a year maximum unless employer agrees otherwise.

Thank you all for your advice, very much appreciated. :)
I will do a week this year. :)

I always used to use a week or fortnight a year. My work did insist on quite a lot of notice before using it.

@lakesummer Good to know! I'll be giving them 3months notice.

Hi, I’ve taken parental leave during the Christmas holiday. I just sent an email request with the dates I wanted to HR. Plenty of notice given.

I will add, they can say no but they have to offer you alternative dates within 12 months. They do have to have a good reason for saying no, however. They can’t just refuse.