My Experience of Long-Term Parental Leave (Over 4 Months)

I took parental leave upon the birth of my first child, who is now one year old. My reason was a commitment to breastfeeding. I planned to start daycare around 6-7 months after the birth, before the onset of stranger anxiety and the beginning of weaning.

The timing of my leave coincided with a period when we were preparing for new equipment to be installed and for research to begin. However, I was fortunate to have a clear view of where my research would be upon my return before I went on leave. With supportive responses from my supervisor and group members, this meant that I faced no significant challenges in taking leave. During my period of leave, I asked the group secretary to manage administrative contacts and mail forwarding, and I also made convenient use of web-based email. Upon returning, I benefited greatly from the discretionary work system, the proximity of my job, home, and daycare, my husband’s share in household and childcare duties, and understanding from those around me, all of which helped me progress in my work.

I view the break during parental leave as like a ‘sabbatical year’ that was effective for self-improvement. Childbirth and parenting were precious experiences that changed the way I see people. Taking parental leave allowed me to fulfill my desires for my child and to witness their rapid growth, building a strong bond with them, which I feel was beneficial for both of us. Of course, many people raise their children perfectly well without taking parental leave, which I imagine requires a favorable environment and is not an easy task.

I am grateful for the opportunity to take parental leave, allowing me to continue my fulfilling research work while experiencing the challenges and joys of parenthood. I am still at the starting point, and balancing research and child-rearing remains an ongoing challenge. However, they say that parenting leads to personal growth, so I hope to grow through parenting and ultimately bring that growth to my work.