Should I stay or should I go? The lifelong question of parents everywhere. When dealing with a traumatized child, the best bet is to stay home as long as possible. Put yourself in your child’s place and think of you would feel coming to a new home, and starting in day care a few days later. You would be scared. Nothing is familiar. You don’t know these people or this house or community. Anxiety is the top emotion on the list. There are options to help you stay home with your child and help her feel safe and loved.

Family Medical Leave

Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following reasons:

• for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
• for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;
• to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition;
• to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

You must give 30 days notice, if possible, or as soon as possible if it is an “emergency” basis. Sometimes placement need to be moved faster, so 30 days may not be practical, but in most cases, you should have that much notice.

Vacation and Sick Days

You may have already used your vacation and sick days to accommodate social worker visits, and pre-placement visits. If you have days left, this is a good time to use them. If you have a partner, try combing your sick days and vacation days, so that there is someone home continuously with your new child. If you each have 2 weeks, you can schedule it so that your child has 4 weeks home with one of you.

Maternity and Paternity leave

You will not qualify for short term disability, which is normally used for a mother to take maternity leave, but you can still check and see what your employer offers. Some may offer paid or un-paid leave. California now has laws in place that allow parents to take paid leave. Other states are following, although it may take some time to get them passed. Keep up with the legislation in your state, or petition for legislation. It could help fill some of those hours while you’re waiting for a match.

Working from home

Ask your employer if you can telecommute. With the internet so easily accessible, many employers are willing to do this if your job allows it.

There are ways to make it work and benefit everyone.



Photo credit - Kelly L.Killian