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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHealth benefits.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There’s no denying that, as a parent, you don\u2019t really have two seconds to sit down and relax when a 10-month-old baby is roaming. I\u2019ve got a ridiculous amount of steps in, some days walking well over 10 miles. I\u2019ve had the opportunity to get in plenty of fresh air with the boys\u2026 albeit sometimes in the wind and rain. If you\u2019re going to do SPL, I definitely recommend doing it in the summer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A bit of healing time.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My son Finley came into our lives at a little bit of a traumatic time. The day he was born was the same day I was admitted to York Hospital with pretty horrendous Pneumonia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While my wife was in the early stages of labour, our midwife was concerned about my symptoms, so much so that she asked me to leave and go see a doctor. 45 minutes later, I was being rushed into RESUS. There was a period of about 4 hours where I held the title of \u2018sickest person in York hospital\u2019 according to the RESUS doctors and registrars. In that same period of time, I\u2019d also gained the title of \u2018Dad of two\u2019. While I was in RESUS, my wife bravely birthed our little boy on her own with the help of some awesome midwives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A combination of pneumonia, internal bleeding, acute renal failure, streptococcus A, 2.4 litres of fluid on my left lung and a chest drain later meant that 10 days went by before I could see Finley. As you can imagine – all of the above paints a pretty traumatic picture, and it meant that I missed that beautiful period of bringing our newborn home and spending quality time with him. Even when I could see him, it would be a long 4-month recovery. I could barely have him lay on my chest because of how weak my lungs were. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think the biggest benefit of SPL to me so far has been that I\u2019ve been able to spend so much time alone with Finley to, hopefully, in some way make up for that time I lost and strengthen our connection even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I\u2019ve learnt from SPL.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d be lying if I said I wasn\u2019t a little apprehensive to begin with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was my second time round looking after a tiny baby, so I think I was more geared up for it and like to think I knew the ropes a little. If I was a first-time dad, I think the prospect of SPL might be a little more daunting. But have faith in yourself. Mums are brilliant and naturals, but you might surprise yourself with how good at \u2018dadding\u2019 you are! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a parent or have spent any time around children, you\u2019ll know that poo and wee dominates a large part of your day. It wasn\u2019t particularly appealing, but I implore you to see past that and clamber over the mountain of nappies. It\u2019s great fun, really! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve also learnt (or confirmed) how awesome kids are. Spend some time looking at the world through their eyes, it\u2019s bloody brilliant! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I were to do it all again, I\u2019d take more time, in all honesty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It makes the process slightly more complex because you have to sort out the transfer of maternity and paternity pay, but it\u2019s flown by in an instant, and I now find myself wishing I\u2019d taken 6 months. If you\u2019re thinking about it, really do consider taking as much time as possible and what\u2019s fair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A couple of thank yous to finish off! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly thank you to my wife Hollie. SPL isn\u2019t a given. It\u2019s something you need to organise and agree on as a couple. Thank you, Hollie, for sharing your leave with me so I could spend that precious time with our boys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, thank you, hedgehog lab! I\u2019ve had nothing but support and encouragement from everyone at the lab. I imagine it\u2019s not exactly easy having someone out of the business for an extended period of time, but not once have I been made to feel pressured to stay working or cancel the leave. I\u2019ve read some horror stories from mums and dads being pressured into putting work before childcare, and I\u2019m so glad I work for one of the good \u2018uns! <\/p>\n\n\n\n