Self-employed? You’re on your own, financially, after you adopt!
By Krystal Strauss
I am a self-employed awaiting parent. That means that when I adopt, I’ll have zero paid leave. With no EI benefits, I’ll be able to take about three months off at home with my child, in order to afford life. Is that really enough time to attach? I think not!
Picture this: A child is placed with an adoptive family, after having moved several times in foster care. The child is just starting to get used to their new house. They’re just learning about their new parents—just starting to trust and love them—when the next thing they know, these people are going off somewhere else, all day, every day.
How can a child attach properly, when their new parents are off to work so soon after bringing their child home? Can you imagine what it’s like for a child to be placed in the hands of yet another stranger? Sure, a childcare provider doesn’t remain a stranger forever, but… how confusing for the child!
I would love to provide my future child with as much time as possible in my care, because attachment is so important—for both the child and the parents. Being self-employed makes it easier for me to be flexible, but not so easy for me to stay off work altogether.
If the government would extend parental leave to self-employed people, it would make it far easier for us to take the necessary time to stay at home and provide the sense of security adoptive children need. Let’s help get these children the time with their new parents that they deserve!
The opinions expressed in blogs posted reflect their author and do not represent any official stance of Adopt4Life. We respect the diversity of opinions within the adoption, kinship and customary care community and hope that these posts will stimulate meaningful conversations. Our #timetoattach campaign continues with the aim to adapt public policy to introduce 15 weeks of parental leave (attachment leave) for adoptive parents and kin and customary caregivers. As we, along with Western University and the Adoption Council of Canada, have worked to bring awareness to this important support required for families and children, it has been so important to share the real experiences of parents and their children as they sought to form healthy and lasting attachments. Find out how to share your story.