Unpaid leave
Sorvad, Quote:- "I'm taking advantage of a chance to take more time off to be with my family at a time that suits me.."
I think that you might be taking the time off at a time that suits the Company.
You do seem to be a real team player though - in a team of one!
Having spent 20 years at CX, I had a very good family life - two months leave per year, later reduced to six weeks and a family that lived where I was based. Perhaps your circumstances are different, but then that is up to you.