fondreflections
New member
The first class was very long (9-4)...To be honest, the other families in attendance were more interesting. Jake and I were the youngest couple there which we expected. The next youngest couple were lesbians in their late-30's. They were very helpful! They have been fostering a now 3-year-old boy for his whole life and are now trying to adopt him since his parental rights are about to be terminated. In order for them to be able to adopt, they had to renew their 'class credits'. Their situation could very well be ours 2-3 years from now so they were such a great source of information!!! I really appreciated talking with them and look forward to our 2 other classes together.
The rest of the couples were all in their mid-40's to mid-50's. The couple seated right next to us had a 25-year-old son who just moved out. They were looking to fill their 'empty nest'. We were laughing with them because Jake and I are both 26!!! That made them feel that much older!!! LOL!!! They were well off. They live in Wyomissing, PA which is a VERY HIGH CLASS area. Most houses are at least $300,000. She (the wife) was nice, but her husband was an *ss.
There was one older couple that walked through the door 30 minutes late!!! They were strange too...
There were two other couple that were also in the 50's that were strange. The one woman was falling asleep!!!! I kid you not. She was sitting in the chair with her eyes closed for at least 10 minutes straight. Her husband just sat there like a lump on a log and didn't even try to wake her...I can't make this stuff up!!! I swear.
At the end, they passed out a survey about what you learned and thought. On the back was a grading evaluation. THEY GRADED YOU ON YOUR INTEREST!!! I was fine. I was pretty vocal so I wasn't worried. Neither was Jake. I bet the 'sleeping beauty' was shaking in her boots!!!
The classes themselves were about:
* The children that are in the system and why.
* What obstacles you might encounter and how to solve them.
* First Aid
* Birth Parent Rights
* SWAN (an adoption resource)
* ASFA (another adoption resource)
* Welfare System
* How to handle hostile parental visits.
Those were the most important ones. We also did some group activities that induced communication. That's what kept many awake.
All in all, I'm glad it's behind us. Our social worker told us that the first one was BRUTAL; however, the second and third are MUCH BETTER. I PRAY THAT'S THE CASE!!! Our second class is September 6th.
<b>Our social worker said that all our paperwork and clearances are in and with Human Resources. We will be on the 'Waiting List' SOON! She also said that they are currently getting flooded with calls since school is starting back up!!! Our wait may not be one!!!</b>
The rest of the couples were all in their mid-40's to mid-50's. The couple seated right next to us had a 25-year-old son who just moved out. They were looking to fill their 'empty nest'. We were laughing with them because Jake and I are both 26!!! That made them feel that much older!!! LOL!!! They were well off. They live in Wyomissing, PA which is a VERY HIGH CLASS area. Most houses are at least $300,000. She (the wife) was nice, but her husband was an *ss.
There was one older couple that walked through the door 30 minutes late!!! They were strange too...
There were two other couple that were also in the 50's that were strange. The one woman was falling asleep!!!! I kid you not. She was sitting in the chair with her eyes closed for at least 10 minutes straight. Her husband just sat there like a lump on a log and didn't even try to wake her...I can't make this stuff up!!! I swear.
At the end, they passed out a survey about what you learned and thought. On the back was a grading evaluation. THEY GRADED YOU ON YOUR INTEREST!!! I was fine. I was pretty vocal so I wasn't worried. Neither was Jake. I bet the 'sleeping beauty' was shaking in her boots!!!
The classes themselves were about:
* The children that are in the system and why.
* What obstacles you might encounter and how to solve them.
* First Aid
* Birth Parent Rights
* SWAN (an adoption resource)
* ASFA (another adoption resource)
* Welfare System
* How to handle hostile parental visits.
Those were the most important ones. We also did some group activities that induced communication. That's what kept many awake.
All in all, I'm glad it's behind us. Our social worker told us that the first one was BRUTAL; however, the second and third are MUCH BETTER. I PRAY THAT'S THE CASE!!! Our second class is September 6th.
<b>Our social worker said that all our paperwork and clearances are in and with Human Resources. We will be on the 'Waiting List' SOON! She also said that they are currently getting flooded with calls since school is starting back up!!! Our wait may not be one!!!</b>