Long Overdue Update!
Hello, everyone!
Sorry it has been do very long since we posted an update, but there has been a lot of action!!
I'll start where I left off - Last time I posted, we were getting ready for our first required class about Transracial Adoption, or adopting a child of a different race. It was in Cedar Rapids in April. At this training, there were about 10 other adopting couples, some working through the Des Moines office. It was so nice to meet other couples going through the same long process as us! In this training, we watched a video about an adoptee that was adopted from an orphanage and was born in Korea. Her parents were Caucasian, and she talked about her personal challenges growing up as the only Korean in her family and community. We also had a social worker that has an adopted child that is a different race - she shared stories about times that their family has come under scrutiny. It was very enlightening and helpful - both Nate and I were glad to be able to address concerns and thoughts about being open to adopting a child of a different race.
Our second training was about whole family adoption. This was held in May. For this training, we had to drive to Des Moines and there were only about six other adopting couples. We met with many social workers that talked through the adoption process from the birth parent side and how the process and support works, even after placement. For me, it was really comforting to know that our social workers work very hard to support and care for mothers and fathers - even after the point that the child is placed with adoptive parents. They are advocates for the father as well as the mother and have a male social worker on staff that works with them. Again, we feel so secure in knowing that Bethany has done the counseling, coaching, and support before an adoption plan is even formed that it is a great load off of our shoulders. They had a father who has adopted three different times talk with us about involving the birth parents and birth family and what that looks like. With each of the six birth parents, his family has a different relationship. He encouraged us to be open and aware as we move forward with a family. He said it is important for his children to understand that there is a bigger family that loves them - in different ways.
These trainings are part of a catalog of offerings through our agency. There are a variety of topics - special needs, trauma, breastfeeding, newborn care and more. Nate and I have not taken advantage of any other classes besides our two required ones, but look forward to having the opportunity to do so in the future.
There is plenty more that is happening and has happened - but I'll save some of that for another post coming soon.