My DH stayed home for the first month full-time and for 2 weeks half-time when each of our two boys were born. I nursed and cuddled the baby and took the night shift, and he changed diapers and cuddled and let me sleep during the day. Then when #2 was born, we tag-teamed to make sure that DS#1 still got mommy time and I still got some sleep.

I sing the praises of the Family and Medical Leave Act to anyone who will listen! laugh

Not to mention singing the praises of his company. He came back to a promotion after child #2 was born, so he didn't get penalized at all. (Granted, he was still accessible if they needed him, and he had gotten all his projects set before he took off.) It was telling that many of the upper-level managers commented to him that they wished they had had that option when their kids were small and that they were 100% behind his choice to take time off. So nice!

Anyway, the upshot is that DH got his parental certification a lot earlier than most non-SAH dads. We were both quite confident in his ability to parent without my hovering over him, and that carried over even after he had gone back to work. He was and still is a very hands-on dad. In fact, he's getting the kids to bed right now while I play! smile

I love my husband! Not to brag, but I married really, really well! grin

Kriston