Well we have now complete 3/4 of the prep course and it has been great. A lot of the information we are given I had already researched and had a lot from adoption UK. The experienced posters on there are a wealth of information and I strongly urge you to ask as many questions as possible if you are sat there reading this as a potential prospective adopter.
No books or fact sheets can share with you the reality of the process and what life as an adoptive parent will be like more than stories from the people who have been there and got the t-shirt.
So today we meet with a child pshychologist who helps us understand the trauma the children we are likely to be placed with will have experienced. She helps us get an insight into the minds of various age groups and shows examples of how best to help children manage their emotions. It is all very complicated and deep at times but the basics seem to me to be very super nanny like. Which by the way is currently one of my favourite programmes. I am however all too aware that until we are home with our child we will not be able to tell which strategies work best for us. So I am trying my best to keep an open mind on this matter.
We also get to meet a lovely lady who adopted an 'older' child. She told us about the difficulties she faced, including introductions made difficult, and the problems they have faced mother and son since placement.
There were a few group members asking the next day why she was so dull and depressing about everything...
Well apart from the topic being called "difficulties in adoption placements" which kind of spells out that it isnt going to be a happy ever after all singing and dancing topic, Dont all adoptions face problems. Its not going to be a bed of roses 100% of the time. How disappointed would we be as adopters if the prep course was four days of how wonderful and perfect life will be post placement.
Hmmm... a wonderful thought maybe - but just not realistic...
No comments:
Post a Comment