Time off work--adoption?

Question

How much time did you/do you expect to take off work after being placed with an (healthy) infant? I will most likely be matched soon after starting a new teaching job and I can't wait to take the job...long story. So, I won't be eligible for maternity leave. I'm trying to get an idea as to how time I'll need off. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Legally you should get the same as maternity leave anyone else could get - if you were pregnant and had a child they could not discriminate -it's illegal.  You are to get the same time as if you had giving birth to the child - Congrats!

Answer 2

Our agency requires one parent to stay home with the child for at least the first 6 weeks after the baby arrived home. I stay at home with the kids anyways, but my husband took the first 6 weeks off too (unpaid).

Although many people have said that you are allowed 12 weeks off under FMLA, you must have been employed there for at least one year to be covered under FMLA, so if it's a new job, then that won't help you. Even under FMLA it would be unpaid leave (unless you have a very generous employer).

I do suggest you stay home as long as you possibly can though to bond with the baby.

ETA: here is a link that explains the criteria for being covered by FMLA. In addition to being employeed for a year, you must also work at a bussiness that has at least 50 employees. This isn't to say that many employeers won't still give you the time off, (my husband's work still did) it just means that in some cases they don't HAVE to.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/ESA/Title_...

Answer 3

In the US

1) You are entitled to 6weeks family leave regardless of time employed. Now, the employer is going to P*SS*D.. Just because your not giving birth, doesn't mean you will get any more sleep, or that there is any LESS need for the new born to bond with you.

2) If you don't have the vacation/sick time it will be unpaid leave.

3) Take the time. If they find a reason to fire you (and the probably will) so be it.. But you can't commit 6 weeks to a new born are you really ready to commit to 18 years?

4) Perhaps this isn't the best time to both Take a new job AND have a new born.

(Not being ugly, just a reality check).

-HtJ

Answer 4

Hi Shannobananno,

If I were an adopted infant, I would want to be with at least one parent full-time for as long as possible.  Especially if my natural mother chose the adoptive family based upon them being a 2-parent family.

Even if you are not eligible for maternity leave, everyone in the U.S. may take up to 12 unpaid weeks of Family/Medical leave.  It's the law.  (see link) You should take the maximum amount allowed.  Thanks for asking.  Hope this helps.

julie j

reunited adoptee

Answer 5

Most daycares will not take a baby until they are 6 wks old.

Answer 6

If you are in the US, you are allowed up to 12 weeks (unpaid) Family Medical Leave. This applies to your husband also. You may have fulfilled your probationary period first though.

Answer 7

I don't think you can take time off work because you are adopting. Maternity leave is for women who give birth to their own children and need time to recover. You are not recovering from anything. All you are doing is picking up a child.  Not for women who adopt.   I don't think you can take the time off and still get paid. Your best bet is to wait until winter break and then get the baby.  

Good Luck!

Jennifer

Adoptee

Answer 8

If your employer offers maternity leave it doesn't matter if you were just hired or been there for twenty years you are entitled to it.  You are entitled as much leave as they offer to parents having biological children, with pay, and holidng the job for you.  Durng your leave you will need to arrange for child care during the day when you'll be gone for days you work.  When my son came home (he's adopted also) I took 3 months, but I was self employed and was able to take summer off.  I think 4- 6 weeks is usually the norm at most places.

Answer 9

Up here in Canada adoptive parents are entitled to the same maternity/paternity benefits as those parents who give birth.  For us, that essentially adds up to 9 months paid leave from work.  The pay comes from a combination of work pay and employment insurance benefits and usually amounts to about 90%, if not 100% of your normal wages.  We are entitled to take it no matter how long you are working for the company and technically it can't be held against you.  I know of women who have been pregnant when they were hired and a few months later went on pat leave with no worries for thier job.  

For me, when we adopted last I took the full 9 months off.  My wife was a stay at home mom and therefore couldn't use the benefits so that meant I could.  I should have mentioned sooner that the 9 months off applies to a total for both parents, not 9 months each.  I'm in the military so it is a nice break from training and deployments and I'm glad I did it.

Answer 10

As much time you feel is needing to take off and if you can afford that time off..

Answer 11

It depends on several things: Will you possibly have to travel to another state? When our son was born, we were told to plan to spend up to 2 weeks in the state in which our son was born, while the interstate paperwork was done between that state and our home state. The baby cannot leave the state until that paperwork is done. Both you and your spouse don't have to stay though - just one of you. So if you must go back to work sooner, having your spouse stay alone is an option.

What's your plan for daycare for the child? Do daycare centers even take children younger than 6 weeks? That's something I'm not sure about, I stay home with our son.

Anyway, a few things to think about/look into. Good luck!

Answer 12

Heather, Hester, and especially Julie are correct. (I was very unhappy to discover that the adoptive mother I trusted and promised me she would be a stay-at-home mom quit her job AND put my son in daycare! I guess she didn't lie, she just didn't keep him home with her. :( )

Take the time to bond with your child, it is too important to neglect. You career can and will wait for you. Maybe not this job but there will be others. Teaching is a noble profession and high in demand so there will be other opportunities; but the demand of your child for a chance to bond with his or her mother should take precedence and definitely has a time limit.