Ed Davey proposing giving new dads extra month of parental leave

family bonding

How on earth did we manage to ‘bond’ years ago?

I had a loving, caring mum and dad, (I’m 71), and ‘bonding’ was never heard of.

You just became a family unit, and certainly paternity leave never came into it.

Yes, perhaps I was lucky. My parents were hard working, working-class people who just got in with life, despite the usual ups and downs.

Too much emphasis on ‘bonding’ nowadays.

be - able

Ilovecheese

I don't think he wants to force new fathers to take a month off. Just give them a choice. Why are people so against family bonding all of a sudden?

My DC have been be to bond very well with their father without him having paternity leave.

I am warming to the LibDems especially Alex Cole-Hamilton in Scotland. I understand there’s a drive to improve mental health as part of the LibDem program. How very sensible.

I don't think he wants to force new fathers to take a month off. Just give them a choice. Why are people so against family bonding all of a sudden?

We are talking about four weeks, once or twice in an average man’s life Aveline. It’s important, it’s doable.

Aveline

How are small businesses meant to manage that? Just daft. I'm disappointed at the LibDems. I expect them to be a bit more sensible.

You did 🤷‍♀️
They thought this woman was going to give them the keys to No 10. 🤦🏼‍♀️

In a lovely world it would be wonderful for fathers to have a month off to bond etc etc. Meanwhile small businesses could go to the wall, hospitals could be even more dangerously understaffed, schools be short of teachers etc etc etc.
This is just an election soundbite.

I saw some of the figures in my area for the number of men who took up the shared maternity leave offer. I havent checked it lately but certainly at one stage it was 1.

Helping families to stay together is a laudable aim in my opinion, not daft at all.

Sometimes fathers can feel a bit pushed out by a new baby. I'm not saying that they are right, but that is how they feel. If they can be with the baby for a bit longer, have some time just together with the mother and any other children, maybe they will form a bond with the new baby sooner. If that helps a family bond closer together I am all for it.

How are small businesses meant to manage that? Just daft. I'm disappointed at the LibDems. I expect them to be a bit more sensible.

This reminds me of when our DC were on the way. DH was in the Forces and a pregnant friend at relaxation classes said "But surely they'll fly him home from the Far East when the baby is due?"
"Er, no ....."

A lot of men couldn't wait to get back to work, and a lot of women couldn't wait to see them go!!!

Similar reasons in my family, except DS worked at a Uni and got as necessary compassionate leave. but thats rare.

I was just thinking last night about what I’d say to any LD canvasser coming to the door in the next week or two.

‘Yes, I’ll be voting for you, since the only real alternative here is the Tory candidate, but it’s purely tactical - not because I have any faith in the LDs, I’m afraid.’

But it’ll very likely be the usual, ‘How I’m going to vote is a private matter, thanks.’

Wyllow3

This was actually initially announced 8 months ago by the Lib Dems just re-anounced.

I say it depends entirely on the family as to whats desirable or necessary, by giving them this option: we cant lay down what is best for all families. I can think of many situations where it would make all the difference.

👏👏👏

Curtaintwitcher

Why does he think this is necessary? A week or 10 days while the mother recovers from the birth is quite sufficient.

Unless of course you already have little ones. I had 3 under 5 and after birth of youngest contracted a serious hospital infection and was readmitted for a week

Yes Calendargirl and we also watched QT and I agree about the Green rep. I just thought to myself that they aren’t going to be in power so it doesn’t make any difference what they say. She said their objective is to get four seats!

X posts maddyone

It’s of no consequence as he won’t be in a position to implement anything.

I watched Question Time last night, the Green rep was promising the earth, again, not going to happen.

Since the LibDems won’t be in power, it doesn’t really matter what they’re saying they’d do. The same with the Greens.

All that water has got on his brain.

Especially if the father has to work away from home.

I know things have changed but back in the day a lot of men couldn’t wait to get back to work.