[michsm]

I am wanting to go on vacation at the end of May. Problem is I don't know if I will have kids placed before then. I know I get 5 respite nights, but is there a guarantee I will get them?

I don't have placement right now and placements I have had have come in and gone back quickly. I hate not to make the plans and then not have children placed but I am also worried I will make plans and then will be told I can't get respite.

Any advice?

[KT08]

I would just tell your SW upfront that you are planning to be on vacation from x date to y date. That shouldn't be a problem. I mean, we're allowed to take vacations!! And it shouldn't impact whether or not you get a placement.

I had plans to attend my cousin's wedding out of state last spring and told the SW that upfront. When she placed me with a baby a few weeks before the wedding, I just reminded her of the wedding plans and that I would need to either have respite for the wedding weekend or approval for my parents to keep the baby. It was no problem at all.

[butterfly8626]

I was wondering the exact same thing. We also have one planned and don't know if we will have placements then. Our plans can easily be altered to included more children. Are you allowed to take a new placement on vacation??

[jjjjmom]

I got my son 2 weeks before my trip to London with my daughter. I just remided my social worker about it and she found respite for him. I hated leaving him though!! but we had planed this trip for months, it was very important for my girl that we took this trip together and I'm so glad because after that every trip we took has been with 3 extra little ones.

[enchansin]

we are awaiting placement as well..
our daughter-inlaw is due in end April 1st part of May. We told the Cw and he told us that we would need to take respite while out of state.. And that would not be a problem... We had got 2 calls about children since we talked. So they are not puting Us onhold because of it..
Talk to your CW i'm sure arrangments can be made.

[Withay]

Depending on whether you plan on taking any placements with you on vacation, you may want to give the respite care coordinator for your area a heads up that you may need respite.

I received placement of a 2 day old baby 3 weeks before flying out of state. Since I already had my plane ticket paid for and in hand I didn't want to change it. I simply told his cw that I was going on vacation and would like to take him with me (he was young enough that I didn't have to pay for a ticket for him). No problem. Long story short, I took a 3 week old out of state, flying no less for a very enjoyable vacation.

The hardest part was taking my shoes off at the airport security check while holding him.

[michsm]

I spoke to the resource worker in my area. She told me that I could either take child with me or they would find the respite. Just so happens moments later she called with placement for me. I'll have to see how it goes for a few weeks and will then determine which option I will choose.

Thanks for your responses.