ML Interest Tag: paternity-leave

Alexis Ohanian’s Talks Paternity Leave & “Being Present” as a New Dad

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Reddit co-founder and new dad, Alexis Ohanian is leading the charge on establishing routine paternity leave in the US. He recently sat down for an interview with CNN on the topic and here are some of Alexis Ohanian’s quotes about paternity leave that all parents should read.

Family Bonding

Ohanian points out that taking time off when a baby is born isn’t just beneficial to a dad bonding with their baby, it’s also an important way for parents to connect with each other. After all, having a baby is a major change to any relationship that can take some time to adjust to. “To have those moments and feel that closeness was just spectacular and there are things we have with each other that I’m grateful for. Being able to develop that connection to the little one, but then also to my partner, my wife was so valuable as well.”

Unexpected Surprises

Even with all the planning on the world there are always surprises that come with welcoming a new baby, some more challenging than others. As Ohanian illustrates, having that time off can help you deal with the unexpected. “I had every intention as co-founder and executive to lead by example and take that whole period, and I didn’t realize though just how important that would be. My wife had had a really great pregnancy but then complications during and after the birth meant she was dealing with a lot herself and I had to do everything I could to be the supportive husband and supportive father, and it really put into perspective for me how important creating this family leave policy is for men and women who want to become parents.”

Business Benefits

It’s not just dads that benefit from parental leave. Their companies will thrive with a supportive work environment that cares for the needs of its employees. “What it’s ultimately going to mean for the organization is a way healthier, better functioning organization. I think what is lost on a lot of people is your teams are not robots, they are humans and if you really are expecting them to do great work, they need to be in a great state of mind.”

Hopefully more companies will follow Ohanian’s lead and make parental leave more accessible for both moms and dads.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: NRKBeta via Flickr

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Walmart Expands Maternity and Paternity Leave

by Erica Loop

The U.S. isn’t exactly at the top of the list when it comes to countries that offer crazy-awesome family leave benefits. But that isn’t going to stop Walmart from adding to their maternity and parental leave benefits. Along with other incentives, such as an increase to their starting hourly wage and a one-time $1,000 cash bonus for eligible associates, the big box retailer is taking a step towards making it easier to parent.

Walmart’s new expanded parental leave policy will give full-time hourly associates 10 weeks of paid maternity leave. Along with the maternity leave increase, Walmart is also adding six weeks of paid parental leave. This goes for both hourly and salaried employees.

The mega-retailer also wants to help associates who want to adopt. Their adoption assistance plan provides $5,000 per child for full-time hourly and salaried employees. Associates can use this money to pay for fees that adoption agencies charge, translation fees and even for the legal fees that are part of the adoption process.

Doug McMillon, Walmart’s President and CEO, said in a press release, “Today, we are building on investments we’ve been making in associates, in their wages and skills development.” He added, “It’s our people who make the difference and we appreciate how they work hard to make every day easier for busy families.”

With Walmart’s new maternity, paternal and adoption assistance policies, they’re certainly making a statement and doing more to help their employees parent while still working.

How many weeks paid leave do you think are enough after having or adopting a baby? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Your First Week Home With Baby: Fantasy vs. Reality

by Jane Putnum

Thanks in part to Pinterest, some amazing Instagram filters and selective postings by your Facebook friends, the first week home with baby can look much different than reality. We hate to break it to you, but the first week home isn’t just a string of days spent cuddling a quiet, adorable, snuggly baby. You will get to do that (at least for a moment), but get prepared for the full flip flop your life is about to take by reading our funny breakdown of what the first week home with a newborn is really like.

Photo via Merille on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: We’ll do lots of cute, Pinterest-inspired photo shoots to capture that squishy, new baby-ness.

Reality: Let’s just leave it at this… the term ‘Pinterest fail’ exists for a reason.

Photo via Brandon on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: Finally, I’ll have my body back and can start a healthy diet.

Reality: Give. Me. All. The. Food. This new mama will devour everything in sight.

Photo via 50826080@N00 on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: I’ve read every book out there. I’ll have my baby sleeping through the night within days.

Reality: Sleep? What’s that? But, I can tell you the best shows on at 2 a.m.

Photo via morli345 on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: I’m on maternity leave and my husband has two weeks of paternity leave. Baby will be sleeping 18 or so hours a day. We’ll have home-cooked meals every night and eat dinner as a family at the table.

Reality: Baby has a funny way of needing to be held, like clockwork, from 5 p.m. until bedtime. Hello, I’d like two medium pizzas for delivery. Welcome to the witching hour(s).

Photo via 76588981@N02 on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: When the baby sleeps, I’ll use that time to shower and pick up around the house.

Reality: I’ve discovered how long you really can go without “having” to take a shower. (Hint: You don’t want to know the answer.)

Photo via aliedwards on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: I’ll get started on putting his baby book together and write out his birth story right away.

Reality: Sleep trumps doing anything else, including baby book. Sorry, kid, my iPhone photos will have to do.

Photo via comedynose on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: I can’t wait to show off my baby to my friends and have people come by and visit.

Reality: You’ll seriously start contemplating having a timer go off after 15 minutes, signaling to visitors they’ve overstayed their welcome. Can’t they see you’re exhausted?

Photo via easement on Flickr creative commons

Fantasy: I spent nine months creating the perfect, most beautiful nursery. It’s finally time to use it!

Reality: The nursery will likely be the cleanest, least-used room in the house. Baby will prefer Mom’s chest or Dad’s arms to sleep, and you may or may not leave an indent on the couch from sitting in the same spot for so long.

What surprised you most in the first week home with baby? Tell us in a Comment.

-Jane Putnam

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