Tips for Dads on paternity leave
Some simple steps to make paternity leave work for you after recent findings
from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), that 45 per cent
of fathers are not taking their statutory paternity leave, Lisa Wynn founder
and CEO of Coaching for Dads, offers some advice for fathers on what they
can be doing to make this process a little easier.
Throughout her experience of coaching dads, Lisa has discovered a number
of very real fears that many dads experience around the issue of paternity
leave, and offers some useful tips for overcoming or at least facing these
challenges head on......
Fear - "I can't afford to take time off"
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Tip - Do some financial planning In
the happy chaos of planning for the safe arrival of a new family
member, most parents seem resistant to proper financial planning
for the delivery - it isn't after all as exciting as decorating
the nursery or buying baby clothes! However, to maximise paternity,
and maternity leave it is essential and will ensure you have financially
prepared for a reduction or loss of earnings during this time.
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Fear - "I won't be able to manage a new baby on my own anyway;
I would be better off at work and to let my partner take the leave"
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Tip - Talk with your partner about
what is happening Many men find it quite traumatic being at home
with a new baby. They tell us that they can feel inadequate and
that their partner seems to be coping much better than they can.
Dads can feel left out and may even feel threatened by this new
rival for their partner's attention. Try asking your partner to
show you what she is doing and why. Demonstrate that you want to
be more 'hands on' and involved, she will be moved by this and you
will get far more from being on paternity than just simply watching
her. It will also strengthen your relationship with your partner
and the baby.
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Fear - "My career will suffer"
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Tip - Take a proactive stance with
you manager If you can look ahead and plan for the foreseeable results
of you being absent from work and take a solution plan to your boss
early on then your manager will be reassured. He or she may not
like it of course, but if you can show that you are confident of
how it will work out then they will be less unhappy at least. In
my work as an executive coach, senior leaders often tell me that
they value and want more proactive staff in the workplace. They
want to see that their team members have the right skills to look
ahead and, chart in advance the possible problems and opportunities
that might arise as well as to have created a strong, flexible plan
to deal with or maximise on them accordingly. This is your chance
to show that skill at its best.
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Lisa Wynn, Founder and CEO of Coaching for Dads www.coachingfordads.com
Where to next?
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