The case for Paternity leave

As I look forward to re-joining work today (post the longest break since I started working back in 2010) I couldn't but reflect back on the last month or so and what a (joy) ride it has been on a personal front. This wasn't possible without the paternity benefit offered by my employer with the univocal assurance that work will be taken care of. Not to worry about it.

Over the years, I've seen a lot of friends, relatives and colleagues rush back to work within a week of turning a parent; honestly, having stepped on the other side, I cannot imagine how.

Parenting is a full-time job, one which offers joy in abundance - a kind no money can buy. But it also requires a lot in return. Constant care, routine check-ups, all the pills, and the bills, arranging a for nanny, future planning, celebrating little milestones and what not.

Right from the day you hear about the "good news", your life changes upside down. Little things start to matter. Your life revolves around perspectives and prescriptions. So here's a quick lowdown of things you will need & situations you will undergo as a first-time parent -

Work for home

Arranging for all basic baby stuff to ease in baby's stay from hospital, to home. Also, first month is extremely crucial to ensure both the mother (esp in case of a C-section) and baby are adjusting well to life together. A comfortable set-up at home goes a long way towards it.

This also involves ensuring adequate manpower at home - in form of a cook, nanny et al.

Nothing works like the charm of having grandparents around to share their experience. They're the closest you'll ever get to 'Google-that-works', as they know it all and the best.

Pills and bills

This goes without saying, but with a caveat - that you must now take care of two and not one person's routine. It might get a little getting used to but is of utmost importance from Day 1.

Same goes for follow-ups in the first month which come thick and fast. Not to forget anxiety visits to hospital in the middle of night each time your baby cries incessantly or doesn't pass motion. No matter how much one googles, a few things can only be experienced first hand.

Not to forget, getting the insurance claims (for cash payments) sorted as thing settle down.

Documentation

The words says it all. And yet, there's so much to it. Right from getting all the bills, to all the test reports, to all the prescriptions, to the discharge summary, to birth certificate - it requires discipline to not lose track of so many files & paper, each more important than the previous.

Pro tip: Having names sorted pre-delivery saves you the hassle of getting the birth certificate, as most private hospitals provide that as a complimentary service these days.

Sleepless in Seattle

Well, replace 'Seattle' with whatever pin-code you're reading this article from. The only constant being a state of perpetual sleeplessness. Babies need to be fed every 2-3 hours. Provided they sleep per schedule. They don't. So you are practically awake all day, for days together. Even more if you are the primary caregiver and have chosen to breastfeed the baby.

The role of secondary caregivers (in my case, that of a father) is equally pivotal. You must take care of the paraphernalia to enable your spouse make optimal use of baby's sleep time. That's the only time she can run personal errands and most importantly, catch up on sleep.

Getting the diapers, wipes, change of clothes, baby massage and bath, formula milk (in case) - the list if endless. So brace-up to work all shifts, all days - it's totally worth the experience.

Trust me, meeting deadlines will get a whole new meaning when the client is so demanding!

The day after tomorrow

As you are busy traversing through each day as a parent - learning on the go and at pace- it's equally important to keep an eye on the future. I can't stress enough on how taking tiny steps (just like your little one) towards ensuring the financial well-being of your baby must start now. So kindly use some of the time-off work to plan ahead. The sooner, the better. Always.

Long story short, don't shy away from taking your paternity benefits. I'd recommend at least a month. And happily vouch for more, but never less. Time just flies by with so much to do.

And while you are it, don't forget to write/click/make memories & celebrate each moment!

Happy parenting :-)