Swiss mother fights eight-year battle to adopt her own children
A Swiss family is calling for changes to adoption laws after one mother had to legally adopt her own children. Carmen Skalsky, who has raised her three kids since birth alongside her wife Jessica, faced an eight-year legal battle to be recognised as their parent. The couple now hopes upcoming debates in the National Council will bring faster and fairer rules for rainbow families.
The Skalsky family includes three children—aged nine, six, and three—with Jessica as the biological mother and Carmen as their co-mother. Despite being present at their births and sharing parenting duties, Carmen had to adopt each child separately. The process required around 30 documents per adoption, suitability checks, and years of uncertainty.
Under current Swiss law, stepchild adoption demands couples live together for at least three years and care for the child for a full year before starting. The entire procedure typically takes 2–5 years, involving counselling, social services assessments, court reviews, and a probationary period. Carmen described the experience as emotionally draining, even making her question her role as a mother.
The two older children were conceived with a private sperm donor, while the youngest was born through a donation abroad. The family openly discusses their origins, including the biological fathers' identities. Both Jessica and Carmen volunteer with the Swiss Rainbow Families Association and will follow Monday's National Council debate closely.
The Federal Council and National Council are pushing for legal security from birth, recognising two parents in rainbow families regardless of conception. Jessica hopes the one-year probation period will be scrapped to avoid risks if parents separate or one dies.
The Skalskys' case highlights the challenges rainbow families face under current Swiss adoption laws. If reforms pass, children in similar situations could gain legal ties to both parents from birth. The family's story will be part of the discussion as lawmakers consider changes this week.
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