Reality is Setting In

I went in to talk to my principal today about leave. I figured that since I could be going on leave in as soon as a month (wait! seriously?! i just realized that! OMG!!) I better let her know. She asked me how long I plan on being out. I told her I would like to take off two months but since it's unpaid I wasn't sure I could afford it. I reminded her that adoptive parents get NO paid leave. It made me incensed all over again. (WTH?! So wrong! But I digress...) She said, "Oh, so have you saved up to make that feasible?" For shock value I responded, "No, I'll be eating tuna fish." But then I told her that I had saved up but that even if I hadn't, I would take off and deal with it because bonding with this child is more important than my savings account. I am reminded at how clueless companies are when it comes to adoption. Bio parents get 6-8 weeks paid to "heal" yet adoptive parents get nothing even though we may have sick children we are picking up, we may get sick on the trip, adopted kids/parents may suffer from PTSD, depression, have RAD to deal with, etc. and bonding must take place. I know I'd rather deplete my savings account to aid in the bonding process if it means a better future for my daughter and our family --but it shouldn't have to be that way. It's not fair. Yeah, life's not fair but I am still angry about it.

I did find out this one nice piece of news, though. I do not have to leave sub plans for the entire absence! My principal said to just leave enough for one week and what my long range goals are and then just plan to check in with my sub from time to time to see if she needs anything. That is such a relief! I am going to call my top three choices tomorrow to see if any of them are interested and available at the end of February/beginning of March. She also suggested that I check into an alternative work schedule when I come back like four days on/one day off if FMLA will allow it. I seem to remember that FMLA didn't have to be consecutive. That would be ideal.

Wow, I can't believe how close this is! Reality is setting in. I have sooo much still to do! I think I need to take off a couple of days to go up to personnel to set up leave and insurance and to work on my TO DO list. Friday there is an Open House at a really great daycare/school. I don't know if they even have fall openings, but if so I would love for my child to attend. I also need to have some doctor's appts. before she arrives. No more pussy-footing around!!