Paternity Leave Anxiety
I’m going out on paternity leave next year and am getting nervous to take it all and lose the momentum on my career. Am I an asshole? I see other parents that go on leave while they’re on top get replaced - either in mindshare or org leadership. It takes them a while to get back to the same stature. To be clear, no one at FB is pressuring me not to take it all. Just my own observations. I also feel like a dick worrying about this when I’m about to have a kid. Regardless, I am. TC: $550K
You'll never get the time back. Take the four months and enjoy the family. You're already making $550k, what are they going to do, not give you a raise?
Yeah, take the 4 months. The first 4 months after a child is born is extremely challenging.
Take it all. In chunks if you have to. I’d trade less “mindshare” to watch my kid grow up in a heartbeat. It’s an incredible experience. Take it all
Take the time. Recently went through this, and yes, I did lose a little momentum career wise. It enabled the person I put in charge to step up, and ultimately ended up replacing me. So be it. It’s an excellent opportunity for her, and I’m still in the company in a new role, and am happy. You’re going to regret not taking all the time available to you. Given your TC, you’re likely prone to long hours; stepping away will help you realize where/what you can delegate off your plate so you can leave at 5 and not feel bad about it. Hope that helps. TC: 230k
Especially during the teething phase
What is more important for you? What do u like to see and remember when you are in your 70s? Beautiful moments with family or wasting your life working for Mark Zukerburg? You never know how your life would be after pregnancy. You might stuck visiting your child in NICU or taking care of baby when gets sick in day care... I dont mind if they let me to take the whole year off to be with my kid and watch them grow and laugh... to me that is way more valuable compared to job titles and $$$.
550k. Fuck me sideways! What is is your YOE?
Well #1 Facebook is gonna be Facebook but #2 why so you care so much about career? Family is where it's at.
What is your highest priority? Family or work?
How long r u gonna be away?
We get four months. We can take it in chunks but that ends up being more thrashy on the team. Most people do two, two month chunks.
When u r in thick of things you dont realize what wonders a long break can do to your life. You are lucky to be getting paid for 4 months break! I would take it in a heartbeat. Trust your ability to get back to where you are soon after your break.