Thank you to Virginia over at the Russia Adoption Blog for writing about New Jersey’s proposed adoption leave bill. It’s interesting because I heard about this bill on the radio today and didn’t give it a second thought. That was because the radio announcer failed to mention that it specifically mentions that the leave will apply to newly adopted children. The announcer only said that New Jersey was sending a bill to the senate to grant temporary disability benefits for those caring for sick family members or newborns. I actually paused and wondered why newborns wouldn’t fall under “family members,” but that was the end of it. Had I known that it specifically covered newly adopted kids too, I would have been thrilled. Newly adopted kids should fall under the “family members” category too, of course, but since newborns were also given their own category, I’ll cut them a little slack.

The bill, which is now on its way to the senate, would have a great impact on all families dealing with an ill child and I think that it shows great strides in New Jersey that adoptive families are being remembered and included in state government. Sandra over at the International Adoption Blog posted information about how New Jerseyans can get in touch with the proper people over at the senate to let our voices be heard in support of this bill.

Now if we could only get the state to modernize and simplify their re-adoption process, New Jersey adoptive families could rejoice. But this is certainly a step in the right direction: to be recognized as a regular ol’ family - no matter how our children came to us. The ability to take the time to care for a sick child without fear of losing one’s job and income is a right that all parents deserve.

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