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What are the benefits of paternity leave?

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Over the past years, Richard Petts, a sociology professor at Ball State University; and Chris Knoester, a sociology professor at Ohio State University, have jointly written some papers. These papers contain data of analysis from long-term surveys of thousands of American families.

Their research shows that paternity leave gives lasting benefits; not only to a father’s relationship with his kids but also to the relationship between both parents. What then are the benefits of paternity leave?

In Africa, the term paternity leave is a dream to many dads. A dream that should waste no time coming true. This is the basis for this article, in the hopes that ultimately our society is richer and better for it. Based on the research of the scientists above, we’ll be sharing some benefits of paternity leave.

What Are The Benefits Of Paternity Leave?

In their most recent paper, published in May 2019, Dr. Petts and Dr. Knoester discovered that even as long as nine years later; children whose fathers took at least two weeks of paternity leave after they were born; felt closer to their fathers. This was than children with fathers who did not take leave.

In research on married parents for a forthcoming paper, the sociologists found that even relatively short periods of paternity leave caused couples’ divorce risk to drop; and to remain significantly lower for as many as six years to come, even as their children reached school age.

There are endless benefits to taking paternity leave for the whole family – from supporting your child’s development to gaining confidence in your parenting. Here are some of the benefits of paternity leave as proven by research.

Confident parenting

A report called The New Dad: Take Your Leave; found that father-and-baby bonding during paternity leave actually improves a dad’s ability to care for children in the long term. And this means he’s a more engaged and involved parent. Being a dad who is around in those early stages gives lasting confidence to a father’s caregiving, and establishes him as an equal partner in parenting. Evidence also suggests this extra bonding time can contribute to a stronger father-child relationship later on in life.

The Benefits of Paternity leave are far-reaching and long-lasting

Paternity leave doesn’t just give you the opportunity to bond with your baby. Studies have shown that paternity leave has positive effects on a child later in life, too. The University of Oslo found that kids whose fathers took time off showed improved performance at school. And an OECD report has shown that kids have both improved cognitive scores and mental health outcomes as they grow older.

An enriched relationship between the parents

A newborn baby is a challenge; but when both parents share the responsibility, their partnership becomes even stronger. A wise man once gave a great piece of fatherhood advice. “Now I appreciate what goes into being a parent,” he said. “It’s about helping and supporting each other.” According to the sociologists’ research, men who take paternity leave are less likely to get a divorce.

Paternity leave gifts the new mother with help and rest

Research shows that when caring for their baby, more support from the father can increase the mother’s well-being. Plus, they’re less likely to experience depression after birth. Many of the fathers in “The New Dad: Take Your Leave” report agree. They believe that taking paternity leave is the best way to support your partner during their emotional and physical recovery.

Daddy is happier with the paternal bond

According to the MenCare State of the World’s Fathers report, men are generally happier and experience fewer health problems; (both mental and physical) when caring for young children. Some fathers say that sharing a bond with their child so early improved their mental health and changed their perspective on life.

Relationships

5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas

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You know how we do in Naija when Christmas is just around the corner. This is the season of jollof rice, family vibes, and, of course, amazing gifts.

Now let’s be real when it comes to gifts. People are tired of boring and occasional gifts like Ankara fabrics, bland gift cards, and hampers, as these things fade away as soon as they are consumed. So this year let’s talk about five thoughtful gifts that’ll blow your partner’s mind and make this Christmas one for the books. These aren’t just gifts; they’re pure vibes.

Here are 5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas.

1. Personalised jewellery

First up, we’ve got personalised jewellery. Trust me, this one hits every single time. Personalised gifts like this show your partner that you’ve put thought and effort into it.

Think about a necklace with their name, a bracelet engraved with your anniversary date, or a cute ring with a special message like “My Babe Forever.” Whether they wear it to Sunday service or flex it at a wedding, personalised jewellery is not just a gift; it’s a memory they carry with them.

There are plenty of Naija jewellers who can customise something stunning for you. Add a nice box and a handwritten note, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier gift that screams, “I care about you.”

2. Experience gifts

Sometimes, we just need a break from the daily hustle and city heat and traffic, and that’s why experience gifts are such a vibe.

It could be a weekend staycation in a luxury hotel, tickets to a Burna Boy or Asake concert, or even a relaxing spa date to help them recover from the December rush. For the adventurous ones, how about paragliding in Jos or hiking in Obudu?

It’s not just the experience itself; it’s the memories you create together. And trust me, you’ll be in their good books for a long, long time.

3. Custom photo book

Now this one is pure romance that brings back all the beautiful memories. Imagine creating a custom photo book filled with all the memories you and your partner have shared. From the cute selfies you took during your first date to the epic road trips or even those funny moments during wedding prep.

You can add captions like, “This was when we got stuck in Ajah traffic for five hours!” or “Our first beach date in Tarkwa Bay.” It’s more than just a gift; it’s your relationship in a book.

And the best part is that the memories are sweet, sentimental, and priceless. You can sit down together, flip through the pages, and laugh over all the memories.

4. Subscription boxes

Another perfect gift for your partner this Christmas season is a subscription box. Imagine your partner receiving a surprise package every month. It’s like Christmas 12 times a year.

From gourmet Nigerian snacks (think plantain chips, chin chin, and cashew nuts) to skincare products or even fitness gear, there’s a subscription box for everyone.

5. Handwritten love letters

In this digital age of WhatsApp messages and emojis, handwritten love letters are seriously underrated. Remind them why you fell in love, recount your favourite memories, and share your dreams for the future. You could even hide these letters in unexpected places—tuck one in their handbag or slide another under their pillow.

The beauty of a handwritten letter is that it lasts forever, even long after Christmas; your partner can pull it out, read it, and feel all warm and fuzzy. You can also add some local touches, like using Ankara stationery or a traditional wax-sealed envelope, and another gift, such as a photo album or a piece of jewellery.

Selecting a thoughtful gift for your partner this Christmas does not have to be difficult. These suggestions, ranging from personalised jewellery to handwritten love letters, emphasise the significance of effort and sentiment in gift-giving. The best gifts reflect your particular connection, making this season not just joyous but unforgettable.

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Tiwa Savage opens up about her divorce from TeeBillz

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Tiwa Savage, the Nigerian singer, has opened up about her divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz‘ Balogun, her ex-husband.

The duo divorced in 2018 after efforts to resolve the differences in their marriage proved abortive.

In an interview with The Receipts Podcast, the ‘Kele Kele’ hitmaker revealed that her ex-husband was responsible for the divorce.

The award-winning songstress said at the time, she was struggling with postpartum depression after giving birth to their son.

The 44-year-old singer said she faced intense criticism from the public, with many attacking her without giving her a chance to share her side of the story.

She also recalled how some prominent figures advised her to remain silent about the incident to protect her reputation.

“When I came out, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart when I started and I could do no wrong in Nigerian’s eyes. I did everything by the book. I went to university and I wasn’t a baby mama. I got married then I had a baby so I did everything in the right order and everybody loved me and then everything happened,” she said.

“Then I started getting hate from blogs and I started getting hate from certain people. The way our situation happened, he announced it online. I didn’t break up with him but I was the one being attacked.

“At the time, my baby was just a few months old and I was dealing with postpartum and my body wasn’t the same and I was depressed. Everyone then went to him and only a few people came to see me.

“After I interviewed to tell my side of the story, it got worse. People were like ‘How dare you go and talk’ ‘You’re a woman and you’re supposed to build the house, it’s your fault’.

“I remember famous people calling me to ask how I could tell my side of the story cuz I’d never win. Ever since then, I was like I won’t ever talk about the situation because it was very heartbreaking how the public took it and blamed me.”

She added that the experience was an “eye-opener” that made her become “wild and carefree”.

“It was an eye-opener for me and it made me depressed for so long. It got me angry then I became the ‘African Bad Girl’,” she added.

“I thought to myself that after doing everything right I was still attacked. Then I started getting tattoos and wearing short skirts and bikini. I was just wild.”

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Actress Etinosa Idemudia remarries in Lagos

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Etinosa Idemudia, the Nigerian actress, has tied the knot again, this time with a white man.

Etinosa took to her Instagram page to share a video of herself and her lover, whose name and nationality are yet to be revealed.

In the accompanying caption, the actress wrote, “I don carry my two left enter new relationship. Please wish me well ❤️ 💍”.

In another Instagram post on Thursday, Etinosa shared a photo from their legal wedding ceremony held at the Ikoyi Registry in Lagos.

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