We started the online courses tonight. The one problem we have run into so far is the complete lack of courses geared toward domestic infant adoptoin. Most are about international adoption and integrating the culture of the child into your life. Others are about adopting an older child from the foster care system. We did manage to find 13 credits so far, although some of them might not be that applicable.
So far we have completed:
1.) Making a Profile That Works - this is 2 credits and was very interesting. It reinforced that our profile is along the lines of those that get chosen earlier. The one thing I did that they don't like it make an introduction paragraph that thanks the birthmother and has a bland statement about understanding how difficult the decision is. They suggest making it stand out more with a more personal letter or a quote. I am going to think about changing it before the final proof is done.
2.) Lifebook - 2 more credits. This one was also nice. Apparently making a "lifebook" is very important fr an adopted child. It is different than a typical babybook or child scrapbook. Basically, it contains age specific information about their birthfamily, us, the process, and all documents that we have from the process (such as origianl birth certificate, family medical records, adoption decree etc...) so they can refer to them when needed. They recommend starting ti with information that the child can understand at the younger years in language they can relate to and then changing it as the grow. very interesting and something I will definitly be doing.
3.) Let's Talk Adoption - 2 credits. This one covered when to begin talking about adoption with the child and how to do it. It also went into why you should. They covered the fact that you should begin integrating the topic from day one so that the child places a good emotion with the word and then as stated above giving them information only that they can handle at the given stage in life. Also, talking about it to all those that are involved in the child's life is important so that everyone is on the same page.
4.) Open Adoption 101 - 2 credits. Dusty did this one. It went over what all constitutes and open adoption - anywhere from sending pictures to actual meetings. It stated that most relationships ebb and flow and while you may start with sending pictures it may evolve into meetings or original meetings could dry up and end with no contact. This is a touchy subject for us and I will make a new post just on this some time.
Dusty then chose a whole package on "Tough Start Kids" which he took to include bad prenatal care, but turns out to basically talk about children from abusive backgrounds. Since it was a total of 5 credits and we spent a bit of money on it, we went through them anyway. There were some pearls we gleaned.
5.) Tough Start - Family Matters - 1 credit. by the end of this I was so talked out of ever wnated to adopt an older, tough start child, ever. It was scary!! It went on and on about how it leads to resentment, divorce, abuse of other children/pets int he family. :( Geesh. Way to be positive. I really don't understnad the point of it. What can I apply to our situation? It did go over the importance of creating special time for your spouse and not letting the new child create a wedge between you. backing each other up and helping out as a team is very important. Also, remember to have fun witht he kids and not just view it as a lot of work.
6.) Tough Start - Brain Matters - 2 credits. Dusty is currently working on this one. It sounds very scientific about how the brain functions and how it is altered with abuse.
We are stopping there for the night and will begin again timorrow. The next one is over 100 slides long and I just don't have that in me right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment