Adoption class #2

So we have successfully completed adoption class number 2.  This week's class covered grief and loss, healing the hurts, and attachment. The classes really focused on all the pain these kids have gone through.   When we do finally reach the point of adopting we could be facing many challenges in developing a healthy relationship with our child.  But even with the challenges, they should be able to be overcome and we'll be able to give our child a better future.
This week was also different as Brian's parents joined us for class.   Project Star is very open about friends and family being allowed to come to class as it helps your support system be better informed on the process.

Adoption Class #1 and house prep - Brian's View

The first adoption class was heart wrenching. These children have been through so much, and you have to wonder if you have the fortitude to help as much as your heart wants to. The class emphasized what the children will likely have been through, and what behaviors they may exhibit because of what they've been through. My general impression is that our job will be to support the children the best way we can, to help them grow up, deal with whatever their situation was before they entered in our life and help them forward. Our challenges can range from a withdrawn child, to one that is behind socially/educationally, to one that outright rejects and resents you being there, sees you as an interloper, all the way to pretty much any extreme you can think of. It may be that we will end up needing as much support as we give our adopted/foster children. It is good to know that there are many ways in which support is available to us, should we want or need it.

After this class I feel more driven for us to do whatever we can to help.

The paperwork is going to be daunting, and I need to take an active role in gathering information and filling out forms. I generally avoid things like that, but I can't expect Susan to do it all. This is a joint effort.

We are making progress on the house checklist, getting ready for the house inspection. Some days I look at the list and it seems manageable, others it feels overwhelming when combined with the things we want to do on top of what we need to do.

We learned that family could attend the classes with us, even if they were not going for certification. We invited my parents along, since they are local. It looks likely that my father will make it for next Saturday's class and possible that my Mom will be there for part of it. It will be great to have one or both of them there and to get their impressions.


Peace, Love and Joy...

Brian

Adoption Class #1 and house prep

So on Saturday, Brian and I attended our first adoption class with Project Star.  To say it was a bit overwhelming would be an understatement.  We were one of six families going through the training.  2 families were there for to be foster parents only and the other four were looking into adoption.  The instructor, Bethany, was very nice and kicked the day off with an icebreaker.  We were to think about being on a deserted island and say what person and what item we wanted to take with us.  Brian and I managed to make everyone chuckle when we both stated that we would not take the other.  Apparently we each think the other is a bit useless in the wild. 
Anyways, on to the heart of the matter.... the actual class.  This first class was split into four sections.  First was titled "Who are the parents?"  It covered why people foster or adopt, what you can expect from fostering/adoption, and many of the legalities that go along with it.
 The second section was "Who are the Children?"  Personally, this was the most depressing part of the class.  It covered how kids end up in foster care and many of the issues they face.  There was a video shown in this part that had me darn near tears.  It was a very simple one of children describing the foster care process from their view.  The whole section made Brian and I wish we could help more kids.
The third section was on child development.  It was really designed to give people without child rearing experience an idea of normal development.  We were put in teams in this part and had to draw a child of a specific age and write down normal developmental milestones for them.  It was rather entertaining.  Some of the people in our class are real artists. 
The last section was a review of all the paperwork that will have to be completed.  "OY VEY!" is the best description I have for this part.  We at least have our beginning application done already, but I think the paperwork seems more overwhelming than working with the kids.  We'll get through it all its just going to be very tedious. 
So by the end of the day Saturday we had two brand new binders.  One is 1.5 inches wide and has all of our class materials.  The other is 2 inches wide and its just for our paperwork.  I'm a bit afraid to see how thick it gets.  This will all be a definite experience to say the least.
In house prep news, the puppies went for their yearly vet visit.  They both were brave and did really well.  The evil kitty goes to the vet in a couple of weeks.  I'm sure he'll love me after that trip.  We wanted to get all of their yearly stuff done before the homestudy officially starts.  The other news on house prep is that we are working on the downstairs bathroom.  Its getting a nice update.  We'll post some pics when its done.
That's about all the news for now on the adoption front.  We hope all are well and we'll post again after this coming Saturday and class #2.

And we begin...

Susan mailed off our application today! One small step for us, one giant leap towards adoption!

We have started doing little things around the house that we know will need to be done for the inspection. For starters, we put up a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, started updating the downstairs bathroom, and ordered a new fire alarm and key pad that tie into our household security system. Next we need to post Fire/Police/Ambulance numbers in the house, install child plug clips, secure cleaning products and other poisonous items, and find a place that we can keep my medications secure from a child.

Our adoption classes got moved back a week, so they will not start until March 16th. This works out for me nicely since my blown glass classes end on March 9th. This way we will be able to go to all of the classes together. ♥

Good night all!