I am wondering if any one knows about materinty leave for dad. I was told that there are a few weeks in which a new dad can actually take a materinty leave. My wife and I are expecting a baby here shortly. I work for a local city government and I do not know if there is such a thing. I would like to take off for the first few weeks but from what I have seen in our area the upper managment dosent want to let fathers take the time. they tell us we can take a week and thats it, but I would like to take at least 2 to 3 weeks. please if anyone can help me out. I was told there was a law passed so that fathers where also able to take maternity leave. This is in Texas.

Fathers are eligible for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. That law permits eligible employees up to 12 weeks of leave due to the illness of the employee or a family member. Since your wife will qualify as being ill, you will be able to take the time off. (Of course, that is only if both you and your employer are covered.) You can read more about FMLA at: http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/