Thursday, March 16, 2017

Adoption Education Courses

Yesterday I started my 13 hours of adoption education courses.  The first 10 hours is "Because They Waited" which is required for international adoptions.  In a nutshell I learned ...
  • Promoting healthy brain development
  • Sensory processing and sensory integration
  • Parenting to a child's "real age" vs. chronological age
  • Understanding the internal alarm
  • Building attachment
  • Race and Culture
Each of these was accompanied with a test you had to score 80% or better on to move forward.  Some of the tests were pretty intense with specific information.  The 4th test got me (I should have paced them out better) and I scored a 75% and had to retake (oops!)  Thankfully I scored a 95% the second time around.  

The next hour was specific to adopting from China.  This one was very interesting.   From the course's website:

Do you know  . . .
  • your child’s birth date might have been assigned arbitrarily, instead of recorded factually
  • there are exceptions to and unintended consequences of China’s One Child Policy
  • some of the common medical issues observed in children adopted from China
  • the difference between Chinese culture and the many levels of sub-cultures your child may have experienced
Tomorrow I will complete the last two hours of training with Parent Planning for Special Needs Adoptions.  I had to give my brain a break!  

Earlier today Mom and I watched Ryan and Jace.  We went to Hills Bank to "cash in" on Ryan's birthday postcard ... a CRISP one dollar bill and two children's museum tickets.  We checked out the eggs and tried to decide which egg would hatch first.  Afterwards a quick trip to Hy-Vee for a few things ... which led to some cart racing up and down the aisles ... and then to hold a few puppies at the pet store.  We went back to their house and attempted to watch "Trolls" but the remote control was MIA, so instead we rested .  Ryan shared her bed with me (until she decided to move onto the floor for more room) while I watched a few adoption courses.  

After the kids went to bed Michaela and I assembled the cutest Trolls hair bands for Ryan's birthday party tomorrow.  I can't believe Ryan will be FIVE!  Pictures to come of her party tomorrow night!  

Thanks for following my journey!

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