[fostercarenurse]

Well, last week we had our first class from 9-4 and it was very informative. I enjoyed the interaction with the other couple and single mother in our class.
Classes are everyother week so we have 3 more to go!!
After the third class, we can setup a time to have the first homestudy visit. That class is next Sat. I can not wait!!
Homework for next week is doing a Genogram.

[maxkinzie]

I've heard a lot of people mention PRIDE classes. We never had them, what are they? Just wondering.
thanks!

[Mother Goose]

Yes, I second Maxkinzie,
What is a PRIDE class.

[twinflana]

In some states the foster care classes are called Pride in others they are call MAPP same thing

[mommacass]

Yes, PRIDE is the name of the classes that we have to take to foster and or adopt. PRIDE stands for Parent Resource for Information Development Education. My last class is this Thursday.

[Yash]

Congrats on completing your first class! Get to know the other parents in your class, they can be a great help to you when you have a placement or waiting for a placement. It's nice to have friends who understand exactly where you're coming from.

Yash

[Mother Goose]

My husband and I were lucky. We were able to do the 6 week course in a friends home without alot of others in- volved and without all the interaction that is apparently common in these classes.

[EmmaLeigh2882]

You had homework? We got out easy then!


Good luck with everything- I know it doesnt feel like it now, but the time will pass really quickly!

[fostercarenurse]

There is an adorable little girl on adoptuskids website. She is AA and age 3 and from CA but she is sooooo cute and does not seem to have to many medical problems.
I am thinking and struggling with the thought of having to leave the foster child go back home and thinking maybe adoption would be better to do out right.
Any advise?? there is one additional class for adopted parents and some additional paperwork.

Thanks

[EmmaLeigh2882]

It depends on you and your family. Some people can give their all to many children, some cant.

I cant.
Although I can understand the thought that maybe "shopping around" with different ages might be helpful in some ways to narrow down your preferances... its still hard.

And chemistry isn't always the easiest thing to come by- just because externally the child "fits" your family, doesn't mean you will have a connection or chemistry with them... that is usually something that takes time- and sometimes it may not ever occur.

[Yash]

fostercarenurse,

When I started my classes back in the summer of '04, I was only interested in adoption. Nothing else. Fast forward May '06, I started talking and thinking about foster care. I went to an appreciation luncheon my agency threw and ended up seated next to a SW and she talked about the great need for Foster parents. The luncheon was on a Saturday, on Monday I called my agency and added my name to the foster care availability list.

For me, I think I was able to handle foster care now because I have a son. I'm a mom now. After experiencing the joy of parenthood, I wanted to be able to give another child the love and stability that my son has, that I experienced, even if it was only for a little while.

My first and so far only FD stayed with me for two months. I picked her up from the hospital, which was cool. I didn't get to do that with my son. He came home at five-days-old.

From the moment, I held her she didn't feel like mine. I knew she wasn't my forever daughter. I loved her and cared for her with all that I was, but I was completely okay with the idea of her going back home or to an adoptive whom whatever the future held for her. When she left, I missed her but I wasn't devastated or heart broken. I had done my job. I gave her a good home for the first two months of her life and I'm proud of that.


Yash