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Paternity Leave
Why It's Important to Consider Taking Paternity Leave
By Katherine Bontrager
"My wife and I had our first, Lilly Kathryn, in late July," says Philip McGowan from Nashville, Tenn. "I had three days paternity leave, one of which was spent during labor. Thankfully I had the weekend, too."
And for McGowan, those days were very important. His wife was on strict orders from the doctor: Do nothing but rest and feed your daughter. So Dad had to step in to help – big time.
"Perhaps there's a misconception that paternity leave is just time off for dads, but believe me, I was doing more at home those few days than I ever have," McGowan admits. "Kate had to stay off her feet, rest and feed the baby. Nothing else. That meant that I had to do a lot of things I wasn't expecting to do. Everything was left to me until her mother came to the rescue. I guess we're lucky in that respect, but I don't know how other couples do it without help."
So while Mom rested, Dad had his hands full. "I changed a lot of diapers, took Lilly Kathryn to and from her mom between feedings and watched her when she wasn't sleeping," McGowan says. "I also kept the house in order. That meant laundry, cooking, washing dishes, sweeping/vacuuming, feeding the dog, making the bed, mowing the lawn. I also served as an intermediary between callers and visitors when Kate was just too tired to be 'cheery.'"
McGowan is quick to say that he can't take all the credit. His mother-in-law came and stayed several days, and his mother pitched in to help, too. "I don't know what we would have done without them," he says.
"My advice to soon-to-be new dads: Take at least a couple of days off when your baby comes, for several reasons," says McGowan. "First, your wife or partner needs your help. She's just been through an exhausting experience and needs rest. Secondly, dads need a couple of days for this reality to set in. All of the months of anticipation are over. You need time to embrace fatherhood. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you need time to bond with your new child."
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