Man, great kernels of advice all around here. Consult with the wife, consult with your assignor(s). Your mileage may always vary from what anybody else has experienced because of the personalities involved.

But make no mistake: Tend to the home fires first and foremost. And if your wife says to go officiate, make her repeat it. If it's right after birth (or she's at the hospital already and knows there will be a delay), her "Get out of here for a while" plea could be pretty solid.

But if she says a month or two out, "Oh, you can keep reffing and start back right after ..." take it with a grain of salt. Women have been known to change their minds, you know. Pregnant women, to the nth degree.

I always try and have my babies the first week of March. That way I can watch every game of the tournament. "I'll watch the baby honey. You go take a nap." 2 offour kids born right brfore the tourney. Awesome!!!

My wife is completely understanding, our son was born in February and I took 0 days off.

That's going to depend on how much time you want to spend with your newborn child.