A Dutch journalist, Kimberley van Heiningen, is married to a passionate football fan. Her husband is utilizing his full allotment of statutory paternity leave not for childcare, but to watch the entirety of the FIFA World Cup tournament. While van Heiningen herself has little interest in football, she acknowledges the arrangement as a “win-win” situation. The couple’s decision highlights the flexibility of Dutch parental leave policies, which allow fathers to take time off work following the birth of a child. This case demonstrates an unconventional, yet mutually agreeable, use of those benefits. The story has garnered attention for its unusual prioritization of leisure during a period traditionally dedicated to newborn care.