Along with all the information gathering, we were required to take a class. A class was starting about a week after we received the initial information. It was only an hour away. Usually the classes are held about 2 and a half hours away, if we didn't take this class we would be traveling quite a distance for the next one! We had to decide quickly.
We decided to go ahead. Friends or family watched the kids while we completed the 30 hour class. We went once a week for about 10 weeks.
There was a lot of reading to do. We read about 2 books and a binder full of information. Some of it was redundant but we learned a lot. We had some written exercises and many discussions. We also had to watch the movie "Coach Carter" at home and discuss it in class.
We learned about most of the many problems the kids may have and why they probably have them. We discussed what we should do when the problems arise and we were encouraged to find resources in our area that would help us with the children and help the children themselves.
We discussed many topics that should make our adjustment and the children's adjustments a little easier. Also we hopefully learned enough that we won't be too shocked when we hear what these children have been through.
Many of the people taking the class had a good sense of humor. Every now and then one of our discussions would end with laughs. I can almost say the classes were fun. The hour drive even worked well for us. My husband and I were able to have an hour of quality time to and from the class to talk about the adoption and the things we were learning in class.
Having to take a class always seems like a drudgery. This one was interesting and sometimes entertaining. Most of all it helped us understand the lives these kids are coming from.
No comments:
Post a Comment