Reforms of parental leaves aimed at greater involvement of fathers in child rearing began in 1970s, however, the number of fathers who took parental leave increased only in 1990s when Scandinavian countries began introducing father`s quotas, i.e. earmarked periods of parental leave to be used by fathers or otherwise lost. In Croatia, the two-months father`s quotas were introduced as late as in 2013. This reform did not contribute to a sudden increase in the number of fathers on parental leave, and today very few fathers use parental leave. This qualitative research aimed to get an insight into the experiences of fathers on parental leave; primarily in their motives for taking leave, the experience of exercising the right to leave and their experience of using the leave. Interviews with 11 fathers in the City of Zagreb were conducted, which showed that the main motivation for father`s take-up of leave is the desire for early involvement in raising the child. In exercising their rights, the fathers faced certain difficulties at the Croatian Institute for Public Health, while their employers were mainly positive towards fathers` absence from work due to leave. Fathers have described the leave period as a peaceful and restful, but also as an exhausting experience. The most important finding is that fathers have experienced a change in the way they perceive parenting, childcare and housework which enables them to acquire a new outlook on motherhood. This has prompted them to give priority to family over business commitments. Some of the fathers were encouraged to use the leave only after the parental benefit increased which suggests that fathers should be motivated through additional financial incentives to use the leave. That is particularly important as it has been proven that father`s usage of leave enables development of their competences in care of the child and the housework, whereby they become more independent in the care, equalizing the importance of mother’s and father’s roles in childcare.