[parski]

I live in Sweden where parents combined get 480 days parental leave that we can divide between us with some restrictions. For example 90 days each are reserved for each parent and cannot be transferred. We also get ten days each right after the baby is born that don't count toward the 480 days. Me and my wife had our first child in May. I was off work until mid july, first my ten days and then I took a few weeks vacation. Now my wife is on maternal leave until January when we switch and I go on paternal leave. I will be away from work from January until August. If we have any days left we can use them until the child is 12 years old.

I think this is a very good system. Me and my wife have been talking about how valuable it has been for us to spend the first couple of months together and bonding with our child, both learning what signals mean hunger, gas or being tired.

I work from home so I'm still able to help my wife with taking care of the baby, for which I'm very thankful. We take a long walk at lunch every day and if I need a break I can be with my family. I feel like I live in the greatest country on earth.