[LisaCA]

Well, in our brochure we said I planned to take a semester off (i teach college) and dh planned to take about 3 weeks off. we did a domestic adoption and had our daughter from day three.

turned out to be my taking the summer off (so I spent 7 weeks with her, and dh took a whopping weekend off when we got home. While I won't go into my anger at dh for going back to work because they "need" him, I will say that as much time off you can take would be helpful. Even better if you have a mate home too! I was totally wiped with her. She was colicky (actually turned out to be acid reflux but wasn't solved til she was 2 months old), didn't sleep, required one of us to hold her at all times-the idea of working would have made me cry.

our agency had no requirement but did ask if we planned to and pointed out the importance of bonding.

do I think it was enough now that I've gone back to work? minimally yes. I think 2 months is minimum, three is even better if you can swing it. I have quit my job but not until next may. I feel I can't handle her, the cats, the rabbits, the hamster, the husband and work too, at least not have it work out in the end. to say you can barely function is an understatement. I couldn't even function, could barely speak, I forgot things, and burst into tears (happy or sad) over anything. This is what a lack of rem sleep will do to you. I was a zombie. it ended after about 6 weeks.

good luck,

LisaCA