[Opting4Adopting]

Just curious...

To all Aparents and Bparents, alike:

After working through the adoption process, did anyone change their career to become an Adoption Advocate, Adoption Specialist, Case Worker, or Social Worker, etc????

Kat

[79nic]

Kat,

Why do you ask???

Yes, actually, I did.

I voluntarily relinquished my birthdaughter after she was born in June of 2001, and I just entered the professional adoption field in last month, June of 2004.

I know a few aparents who are also caseworkers, too. But I have yet to meet another birthmother who's a caseworker (although they must be out there somewhere).

My long-term goal is to go to grad school, get a degree in counseling or social work, and work directly with birth parents. (But that could change.... seeing some of the things that foster kids go through has got me thinking more about child psych again.)

Interesting question... curious to see if anyone else responds.

Nicole

[Opting4Adopting]

Thanks! I'd had hoped that it might be an intriguing question...

The reason I'm asking is that I have a feeling that after our journey here, I might be changing my career some day.

I believe that I'm an above average intelligent person. I don't believe in alot of letters after my name, experience tends to give me alot of knowledge (I'm a computer analyst by trade), but when I sat down to start calling agencies, I felt so lost and afraid, even though I scoured the internet for information on what to ask and what to look for.

By accident, I ran across an agency that is an Adoption Advocate. They do not place children. They will do our home study and post-placement followups, and will help us through this journey. As the woman was explaining what they did, I actually told her that she was an answer to our prayers!

Thinking about it, I feel that more people, paparents and bparents, alike, need someone that knows the system and can help you through that journey...I have a feeling that I'll be one of those people someday...

I was wondering if I was alone in that thinking!

Kat

[79nic]

No, I definitley don't think you're alone!

I kind of knew I wanted to go into social services or behavioral health even before Marie's adoption. Going through the adoption experience (actually beginning to heal from it, rather than the experience itself) just narrowed down the choices for me.

My office doesn't do much with domestic newborn adoptions--more international and lots of foster/waiting kids--so right now I'm being exposed to a whole new adoption world. Sooo many foster kids have so much trauma in their background, and (sadly) there are really not enough good child psychologists who SPECIALIZE in certain areas. (RAD being one.) So that's got me thinking a little more about that....

Child psych was always my favorite psych class in school, but I've never been a "kid magnet," if you know what I mean, so I second-guess whether I'd really be that great working with kids. Whereas I do have plenty of first-hand knowledge about being a birthmom.. but then I wonder, if I were to become a birthparent counselor, if I'd have problems counseling birthparents who didn't voluntarily relinquish....... I don't know. Lots to think about-- plenty of time.

Hmmm.

What are you thinking about?

Nicole

[Colorbind love]

I'm a nurse by training, not that I've worked as a nurse in years.

I'm a SAHM and I homeschool. But, I do advocacy for adoption whenever I get the chance. Long-term, I would love to be doing something related to adoption when the kids are grown up. Though that may mean simply continuing to be an adoptive mother and bring children into my home, who knows.

The other thing I'd love to do is finish the degree I really wanted, get fluent in Spanich and Russian and to translation for adoption dossiers. But, that would require a lot of energy that I don't have right now, so who knows if that will happen in the future or not.

I have realized that however I am involved in adoption work, this is my lifelong passion. I was passionate about pregnancy when I was pregnant. I was passionate about breastfeeding when I was breastfeeding. I'm passionate about homeschooling mostly because I am homeschooling. But, adoption is a passion that has been my heart and soul for all of my adult life now. Its not going away and it just gets stronger. So, I think I'm going to be involved in adoption work, one way or another, for the rest of my life.

[bromanchik]

I placed my son almost 20 years ago in a fully open adoption. Since I was a pioneer of sorts I kind of slid into adoption education. I will be starting grad school in the fall to get my MSW in interpersonal practice, focusing on the child and the family. I hope to do post adoption counseling.

[79nic]

Brenda....

Where does one go to do post-adoption counseling?

Not looking for any specific names... just curious: set up your counseling practice? Are there counseling practices already out there that specialize in post-adoption issues?

This is what I've really been leaning towards doing, but I've never seen a place that specializes in ADOPTION-related counseling (well, apart from agencies, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with doing bparent counseling out of an agency.... it would depend...)

????
Nicole

[MKbookworks]

I already had changed my career. After working in Children's Rights for a while I decided to get teaching credentials (MSEd) and ended up staying to earn an MSW as well. Now I work at the University teaching and social working. But - I am considering going for a public school job to free up some family time - probably after our adoption is final (I hope) I have a rather demanding job now - with travel and long hours - though great benefits.

I think it is probably natural that those of us who journey the difficult road to parenthood - acompanied by mounds of paperwork and not a small amount of judgement and scrutiny - would also be interested in helping people in similar circumstances - and especially children.

Go for it - if that is what your heart tells you. I may have been older than my classmates - but I had more experience and passion than any 20 year old!!

Missy

[bromanchik]

Originally posted by 79nic
Brenda....

Where does one go to do post-adoption counseling?

Not looking for any specific names... just curious: set up your counseling practice? Are there counseling practices already out there that specialize in post-adoption issues?

There are many family practice clinics and even county mental health clinics that do post-adoption counseling. I hope to be doing my field placement with The University Center for Child and Family out of the University of Michigan. They do post adoption work as well as a myriad of other child and family systems therapy. I hope to interview with them soon. (They have my resume' and goal statement.)

My ultimate goal is to have my own private practice. But that takes time and further certification in MI.

[bromanchik]

Originally posted by MKbookworks
I think it is probably natural that those of us who journey the difficult road to parenthood - acompanied by mounds of paperwork and not a small amount of judgement and scrutiny - would also be interested in helping people in similar circumstances - and especially children.

Not all of us are adoptive parents. I am a birthparent. Having trained people in open adoption all over the country, I can tell you it was fairly rare to find a birthparent working in the field. They are out there though. I think it is important that birthparents be represented in the adoption community including being on agency boards, doing counseling and continuing educating others about the birthparent experience in adoption.

[Brat]

This thread intrigues and inspires me. Now that we've adopted, I've very seriously considered changing professions.

I want to find something that: a) is in line w/God's purpose for my life and the passions He has given me, and b) allows me to stay at home w/my daughter. One of the passions I've had since childhood is adoption--my every memory of desiring to become a mom has included adopting children.

I have had a counseling internship, and was also impressed by Adoption Advocates--though we never inquired further. After navigating through so much adoption gobbledy-gook on my own, I repeatedly thought: "I'd love to help someone else through this journey." Maybe as a counselor?

In addition, I enjoyed creating our profile, and received many compliments--and responses. Since my background includes writing and the arts, perhaps I could have a profile-creation business out of my home.

Anyways, thanks for the inspiration!

[Opting4Adopting]

It definitely does!
I Knew that I couldn't be alone in this thinking...

Like you Brat, thinking about being a mother makes me want to stay at home (and possibly even home school my child(ren)), but alas, I bring home the majority of our income and before we married, I told my hubby-to-be that as long as he loved his job and was happy, we'd balance each other out and I'd continue to bring in the money that I have (plus since he's 8 years older than me, he's closer to retirement than I am). So, since we started trying to conceive I've been trying to think of a way to stay home...unfortunately, there's no job here that would pay staying at home like it does out of the house.
But then, taking this journey has opened my eyes even more...ok...so maybe I can't make what I'm making now...and maybe I can't work at home as soon as we have a child....but, if we're lucky & are diligent...our house can be paid off in 7 years...that's one of my paychecks right there!...and if we keep it down to one car payment...or no car payment....we could live the same with me making the same as my hubby as we do now!!!

So, maybe I can't become an adoption advocate right away...that just gives me more time in order to train and get to know the journey even more...

Or...I like that idea about starting your own Profile business....THAT could be done in your spare time!!!!

Kat

[DinPAis2adopt]

This is very interesting! I have been thinking about this subject for the last 3 or 4 months. My wife and I have been involved in "the process" for about a year... started out to just be foster parents, then changed our minds to adopt instead. Now, we have a 10 year old son who was placed with us as a foster to adopt placement a couple of months ago!

Throughout the training, reading, discussions, conferences and other activities preparing for this, and especially since our son was placed with us and learning even more of what happens to so many kids, I have considered what I could do to help "make a difference" in the world for these kids.

I have been in various sales and/or management careers for my entire adult life, and I realize now that it doesn't mean a hill of beans to helping society. I need to change my life to help more than just one child at a time. I have just sent an application this month to perhaps become a Social Services Aide, as this was the only option I saw as a possibility in the near future, as I (stupidly!) never completed college. But at least this may be a first step.

All the money in the world does not mean anyything if you can't really do something to help people.

D

[79nic]

Brenda,

Thanks for the info. Definitely something to keep in mind......

Sometimes I feel like an oddball, being a birthparent and a caseworker. I think there are many more aparents in casework than bparents....

[kashicaat]

I know that I have looked into various MSW programs near me in CA. I have always wanted to work with and help kids, but I just couldn't figure out what exactly I wanted to do. I have a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Psychology (my focus was on Juvenile Justice and Child Psychology), and I worked with at-risk youth once out of college, but when we moved from MI back to CA, I had to just take a job that could help pay the bills.

Now that we are going through this adoption process, I now know what I want to do and if dh and I can get schedules to mesh, I may apply next year. My only concern is letters of recommendation...I haven't worked for years, and I haven't been in school for even longer! But yes, this is something true to my heart especially after seeing and hearing so many ignorant comments regarding adoption. I definitely want to help other couples and bmoms through their journey.