Opinion Pieces

As a new dad to my son Hodge, who’s now almost 3, the biggest lesson I learned, and my biggest advice to any new father, is this: Take as much time as you can to be with your child. The more time you put in, the more you get back.

Before I became a dad, I thought my legacy would be the jobs I held or the legislation I passed. But after becoming a father, I realized that my legacy is my son. The values I pass down, the purpose I help instill in him, it all starts in those early days.

When you take paid family leave, you’re not just getting time off. You’re bonding, learning, growing and becoming the kind of parent your child needs. It’s not just good for the baby and your partner. Sharing the workload helps reduce stress, lowers the risk of postpartum depression and strengthens the entire family.

I know those first few weeks can be intense. Newborns are a 24/7 job: They need to eat every two hours, be changed constantly and held often. There’s no “off” switch, so the more help your partner has, the better it is for everyone in your family.

Strong families don’t just happen. Policymakers like me and my colleagues need to create the space to support them by passing strong parental leave policies. And, as dads, we need to take that time when it’s available to us. It only comes around once, and it’s the most important work we’ll ever do.

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