There are two completely different regulations in Germany:
(1) Maternity leave of 14 weeks that only the mother can benefit from (with full wages)
(2) Parent time (leave) of up to 3 years (age of child) which can be taken by any of the two parents or can be split up between them at their own will (I took two of the three years and my wife took one, BTW). During this time the parent on leave is not paid anything (they are discussing to change that) but has the right to return to his or her old job without any disadvantages.

Wolfgang