In the past, not too many companies give much importance to paternity leaves compared to mom’s maternity leaves.
With our firstborn, I only got 2 days of paid leave (That was 10 years ago).
This time, I am blessed to use 25 working days of paternity leave – thanks to our company recognizing the evolving nature of parenting. The longer leave period is a way of honoring the importance of fathers being able to spend time with their newborns.
Rightly so, we, husbands, become the number one helpmate of our spouses after childbirth – especially when the moms need to rest and have complete recovery from the labor or operation.
Longer paternity leave encourages shared parenting responsibilities – something the mothers would surely appreciate.
Fathers also experience broken sleep patterns. We have to stay up during the wee hours of the night too. We take turns in changing diapers, feeding, and singing lullabies.
Not to mention, doing more house chores than usual. And in my case, also babysit the other kids.
Imagine if you have to go back to work quickly, and spend sleepless nights to fulfill these added husband and daddy duties? So longer paternal leave is also good for mental health.
Fathers, most of the time, run errands too from the day-to-day needs to the processing of the baby’s documents such as birth certificate and passport.
Paternity leave in the UAE
In the UAE, the law says that fathers can take up to 5 days of PATERNITY leave. Another 5 days of PARENTAL leave can be used by both the father and mother within 6 months after birth. Some companies have the initiative to give more.
