Kids are Kids, no Matter How They Get Into Your Family

I came across an interesting article in the Star.com this week. There has been ongoing discussion in the Federal Government about inequity in terms of EI leave between adoptive parents and birth parents. Here is the link if you have a minute to read it:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1139384--commons-committee-urges-help-for-canadian-adoptive-parents-but-no-extra-leave

Adoption Leave. 35 weeks. Maternity Leave. 50 weeks. Something in this feels wrong to me. Not just because I am adopting, but because kids are kids, no matter how they get into your family. I fully understand the rationale behind the difference. Pregnant women who give birth need time to recover from the physical act of giving birth. But what about a child who has been taken away from everything they know in their birth country. Every sight, smell and sound that is familiar to them are now replaced with new sights, smells and sounds. What about the child who has witnessed violence and abuse and still at the age of 10 cannot sleep through the night alone? The toddler who has never experienced a care-giving person care-give to them? What about the rights and needs of these children? Might they need a little extra time to adjust and recover as well? Would they benefit from a stay at home parent for a few more weeks?

The article explains the situation best but I would like to leave you thinking about a few lines taken from the piece.

“The needs of adoptive parents are every bit as legitimate as those of biological parents, and in fact, many adoptive families need extra time to bond with their children due to circumstances such as international adoption or the adoption of a child who has special needs,” said Cuzner in a news release.

“An adoptive leave E.I. benefit would ensure the equal treatment of adoptive families.”

"Many witnesses stated that adoptive parents need more time to adjust, recover and bond with their adopted children,” said the report. “The need for more time is so crucial that some witnesses explained that they had to take an unpaid leave and face economic challenges in order to meet their responsibilities as adoptive parents. Many witnesses suggested that the federal government should create a new benefit that would provide for an extra 15 weeks of leave.”

Equal treatment between Adoptive families and Birth families. Wouldn't that be nice?