Would you rather your husband be on paternity leave for 6 weeks or 12 weeks?

Question

I’m in my first trimester and a SAHM to our 4 year old. Baby #2 expecting March-early April 2021. He recently asked his job about paternity leave and was told he gets 12 weeks paid leave. However, the 12 weeks only covers his standard 40 hour workweek. (Usually they have him working 60-70 hours a week for OT as they always need him). These extra hours increase his salary a LOT. He will not have any extra OT when hes on leave.
Would you rather your husband be home for 6 weeks leave, and then go back to work full time? (More hours and money)
Or would you rather set a budget and begin saving now so he can be home the standard 12 weeks?

Accepted Answer

6 weeks. Has nothing to do with money. He would drive me insane. Lmao

Answer

I’d want him back to work sooner the better, so I can establish a normal routine tbh. I can’t wait til he goes back to work.

Answer

Your due date is VERY far away. You’re extremely early in pregnancy still. 
If you can start saving now then I would absolutely rather he took the 12 weeks. Not only does that mean he’s there to help you for that bit longer, he also gets to spend quality time with the new baby and contribute towards helping your 4 year old adjust to big sibling life. 
Your 4 year old has been your one and only for 4 years, that’s a long time and it’s suddenly going to change. They may take it very well and be super excited about their new baby sibling, but just incase they get upset and jealous of the new baby, it’ll be handy for you to have your husband there to support you while you recover and your 4 year old adjusts to the new lifestyle.

Answer

My husband had 6 weeks and I still look back on that time and love the time we got to have together as a family. I can’t wait to have another baby so we can have another 6 weeks together. I’d probably save up so he could stay out the full 12 weeks personally. But on the flip side, I do know my husband was starting to get bored and was ready to go back by 6 weeks lol.

Answer

I guess this is something that’s really between you two and it’s hard for anyone else to really answer. How tight of a budget will you be on if he isn’t working OT? Why’d he accept this job if the only way he makes good money is with OT ? Lots to think about. I personally would take the 12 weeks unless I couldn’t afford to live off of that. But he should really reconsider his job if he can’t cover the bills working 40 hours a week. That seems like torture having to work 60+ hours to provide

Answer

My husband will be working from home either way, but I’m super needy and any extra time with him that he doesn’t have to work is great 😊

Answer

Take the initial 6 weeks and take a week off each month for the next 6 months. I know with the company I worked for, you were allowed to take the time off any time before the 1st yr ended.

Answer

2 weeks. Absolutely no more than that. Not at all. Money aside. You’ll probably still be doing the majority of the work. In my case, my husband was useless. “Paternity” was a vacation for him. Pissed me off. But that’s just me. If your husband is a big help id say 6weeks. You’ll both be ready for him to get back to work.

Answer

6 weeks even sounds too long 🤣🤣🤣

Answer

12, but we can split the time up however we want, so maybe a month in the beginning and then a few weeks here and there until it’s used up.

Would you rather your husband be on paternity leave for 6 weeks or 12 weeks?

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