[sarahdaisy]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to this forum and am so glad I found it! I welcome any advice you might have on the following questions.

My DH and I both work full-time and do not have any bio kids. We are in the process of getting licensed to become FP and hope to adopt any baby that ends up getting TPR'd. We want to foster babies, one boy or girl, age 0-18months.

When do I tell my boss that I might be getting a baby and want to stay home? He already knows that I'm looking into foster care.

How long should I stay home (I'm open to 0-18month old B/G) before going back to work 2 days a week?

Can I find someone to watch a baby only 2 days a week? Where would I look? I'm open to home or christian daycares.

Is 0-18months too wide of an age-span? I really want a baby and don't know how young is young enough.

Hope to hear from people that might have experienced my situation!!
-Sarah Lauren

[Biblemom]

18 months is still pretty young. You need to go with whatever you are comfortable with.
My husband took a week of FMLA with our most recent placements. He can take up to 3 months and use it all at once or just as he needs it. I would at least give your boss a 'heads up' now.
Most daycares have part-time slots and some in home care providers, but will cost more per day. I would start looking around now to see who has openings and their prices. Please be careful with in home care providers (I am one so not trying to scare you) and be sure you know someone who has used them and recommends them. You should also check a facility daycare's last state survery. They are required to keep the most recent one at the facility.
Good luck!

[SydneyGirl]

I took FMLA for 2 weeks with each placement - by that time we were normally able to tell if it was going to be a short term or long term placement.
We had 3 short term placements and I went back to work after each and 6 weeks ago took a sib group placement - I took FMLA and when we got a 6month court order I resigned from my job...my work was aware the whole time but on my 4th time off they did get pretty hostile and asked for whether my 'commitment was to my job or family'. just to warn you - it can get hard if you get a few placements that move onto relatives quickly before you get a placement that sticks.

[jbee]

we do daycare from home. around here, most people will not do part time with part time pay. reason is, i can only watch so many per adult legally, and i cannot have a child only here 2 days, paying for 2 days, when i could have a full time child paying full time pay. i will watch kids part time, but i charge full time rates.
some people may offer drop in rates, which would be a little more usually, and you would have to call before to check availability for that day.
good luck! and if you find a good provider, please treat them well with respect. some people try to get over on us, not realizing it is our job and livlihood.