I know you folks in Europe and elsewhere in the world probably take this sort of thing for granted, but it is really unusual here in the US. When our daughter is born next month, I will be entitled to 12 weeks of paid leave, which my boss (great guy, btw) has encouraged me to take fully.

My concern is that I have projects, and twelve weeks is enough time that they would probably die on the vine, even if/when I hand them off to someone else.

It's stressful, and I need a way to deal with it.

As a great guy, options might be provided for you to work from home, to supervise whom ever took over... If you manage to find time...
BTW, newborn is a lot if work and stress, perhaps you devote yourself to your family? They do grow up unbelievably fast.

This is baby #2. For baby #1 in 2016, I received no additional PTO, but I was able to work from home for several weeks after he was born.

Maybe it's hubris, but I'm not worried about baby #2. We have a good routine, and baby #1 responded very well to it. If #2 doesn't, we can adjust. We're more than willing to be flexible-- that's the name of the game with parenting.

If your projects would die without you, your boss should be kicked in his lazy ass because ignoring the bus factor is a major management fuckup.

the capitalists uf the usa were evil geniouses, guilt shaming i'ts citicens to think that it's not okay to deserve vacation and social benefits.

Life is more than running after the dollar.

Maybe you should take your wife and kid out on a stary night and glance at the vastness of the firmament. And feel small. And for a short moment forget about all this superficial bullshit around you. All that matters is right next to you. For 12 weeks not to worry. With 3 loving people. What's not to love about that? Or do you love your office colleges more?

@heyheni

Office colleges?

No, I know what's important, but I also think it's irresponsible to leave work high and dry.