Foster Kids
Today I went shopping for kids I may not get. My husband and I made a big decision about 8 to 9 months ago. We prayed and we made pro/con lists and we talked and talked some more. We were going to be foster parents. We even went through the grueling 10 weeks of classes to learn how. At the end of that time, we were ready for our homestudy. We were then told it won't happen. Not because we would not make good foster parents, but because we have the wrong job. My husband works for the Department of Children's Services. This means that we can't do normal foster parenting, we have to take kids who are already in state's custody. Take a look, it's sad.
http://www.tennessee.gov/youth/adoption/profilesstart.htm
We would not be cleared for a homestudy until we expressed an interest in a kid. For a while this put us at a stand still as when we expressed interest in the kids, we were told that we would not be put on the list without a homestudy. Roadblock.
Then, perfect opportunity. Can't tell you what but we expressed interest and were cleared for a homestudy. Yeah!!! We were told that for the homestudy, you don't have to have all the beds, just a plan for each room. Not true. Now over the weekend, we have to find a bunk bed and two twin mattresses. I went shopping for the bedding today. It was a little sad to me, because although I believe that we will have a purpose for this bedding and this bed, I don't know who will be filling them and can't put any flair into it. White sheets, white pillow case, off-white blanket. I can't wait until the kids come along and I can add some color to it.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
"The Lake House"
I saw the movie "The Lake House" yesterday with my mother. I'll start first my saying I liked it. (If you don't want to know the ending, skip to the next paragraph). But, of course, I am a sucker for romantic movies where in the end the guy and the girl have the big kiss finale. another thing I liked is I am more than a little sick of romantic movies with the love at first sight or the we have known each other a week and a half. This couple wrote letters for more than a year before thinking about trying to meet.
Having said that, it took a lot through this movie to keep track of what time they were in. Keanu Reeves a.k.a Alex looked the same through out the entire picture and he is living in 2004. He is communicating magically with Sandra Bullock a.k.a Kate who lives in 2006. So you have to remove yourself from the magic connection and just accept that--otherwise you will be in total confusion the entire time and be unable to appreciate the big kiss ending. Another confusion that you really don't want to think too much about is the time line thing. He was to wait two years to meet her in her time. He didn't show, she stopped writing, so he went back to her letters and found out where she would be sometime before that. She stopped him later in the movie and asked him to wait an additional two years--why couldn't he just look both ways for traffic, I don't know.
Something else I learned. Noticed I stated that I saw this movie with my mother. Neither one of us could convince our husbands to join in the fun. Back to what I learned--avoid seeing a movie with my mother that is confusing in anyway. She has no qualms about asking questions and making pithy comments during the entirety of the flick. I fancy myself as a serious movie watcher. I like to banish the personal and just sink into the entertainment. I hate to be interrupted by cell phones, questions, comments, or even my own bladder. I prefer to pretend that the world I come from does not exist and just watch what is unfolding in front of me in the theater. (I'm totally different at home--there is no way to put life aside, so I am always doing something--Sudoku, cross-stitch, quilting, crochet are all good TV watching activities).
All in All not my best movie experience, but as I said in the beginning, I am a sucker for the big kiss ending. I get all teary (yes, I did that in this movie too). When things work out it is wonderful.
I saw the movie "The Lake House" yesterday with my mother. I'll start first my saying I liked it. (If you don't want to know the ending, skip to the next paragraph). But, of course, I am a sucker for romantic movies where in the end the guy and the girl have the big kiss finale. another thing I liked is I am more than a little sick of romantic movies with the love at first sight or the we have known each other a week and a half. This couple wrote letters for more than a year before thinking about trying to meet.
Having said that, it took a lot through this movie to keep track of what time they were in. Keanu Reeves a.k.a Alex looked the same through out the entire picture and he is living in 2004. He is communicating magically with Sandra Bullock a.k.a Kate who lives in 2006. So you have to remove yourself from the magic connection and just accept that--otherwise you will be in total confusion the entire time and be unable to appreciate the big kiss ending. Another confusion that you really don't want to think too much about is the time line thing. He was to wait two years to meet her in her time. He didn't show, she stopped writing, so he went back to her letters and found out where she would be sometime before that. She stopped him later in the movie and asked him to wait an additional two years--why couldn't he just look both ways for traffic, I don't know.
Something else I learned. Noticed I stated that I saw this movie with my mother. Neither one of us could convince our husbands to join in the fun. Back to what I learned--avoid seeing a movie with my mother that is confusing in anyway. She has no qualms about asking questions and making pithy comments during the entirety of the flick. I fancy myself as a serious movie watcher. I like to banish the personal and just sink into the entertainment. I hate to be interrupted by cell phones, questions, comments, or even my own bladder. I prefer to pretend that the world I come from does not exist and just watch what is unfolding in front of me in the theater. (I'm totally different at home--there is no way to put life aside, so I am always doing something--Sudoku, cross-stitch, quilting, crochet are all good TV watching activities).
All in All not my best movie experience, but as I said in the beginning, I am a sucker for the big kiss ending. I get all teary (yes, I did that in this movie too). When things work out it is wonderful.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Public or Private?
I have had discussions with various co-workers about whether or not they would send their kids to public school now having worked with some of the more challenging kids there. The pros/cons lists seem endless. On the Private side, the kids will get some religious foundation (as most private schools are religious based at least in this area). The kids are supposedly exposed to a better croud, less trouble-makers and what not. (You may begin to see my slant). Also the rumor has it that the teachers are of higher quality and so the kids get a better education. Class sizes are smaller. The list continues on. I do agree that class sizes are small, but I have a difficult time seeing the rest.
The only redeeming quality to the Private school arguement is that it is not Public school. I have now worked in both settings. In Public schools you have overworked, underpaid, very tired teachers. On the other hand I have seen some of these same teachers retire from their public school job and head over to the private sector. It may be a change, but burnout is burnout. I know now that my preference is to work in the public school system. The pay--the same.
The kids--world of difference. While working in the private schools, the kids I worked with were (mostly) sheltered, the parents spoiled and the workers (sometimes) clueless. The kids--95% of the time were referred to me because their grades had begun to slip. They came with complaints that marijuana has not been legalized (like they would be an age to smoke it if it were) and their parents insist on being present at their drinking parties. These kids described going through parents medicine cabinets (because their parents wouldn't miss the pills), taking a few pills to a party, then mixing them up and choosing one based on it color. Many times I would contact the parents to discuss my concerns and they were offended with my interference.
Which brings me to The Parents--They worked hard to earn their comforts. It seemed though that they didn't want to be bothered to take it further, to parent. Although there were a good bit who truly cared, I was always so shocked at the one that didn't care.
The teachers--As I mentioned most private school in this area are religious based. The school I worked in was also religious based. Kids were given chance after chance to mess up and be forgiven. They fought to always maintain an element of grace in their dealings with the kids. Caught using drugs, service hours and counseling. Caught behind the art room being a bit too promiscuous (against school rules), counseling.
In Public school, the problems seem so much more real. There are limited resources, so only the sickest kids get sent to my office (and I only take those with the state's insurance). I love working in Public school and I am amazed everyday to see how these kids struggle and fight to survive and end up thriving. I have seen young kids struggling every day with depression (true suicidal depression) and bipolar. I work with kids that have to face that they see their father beat their mother to a pulp multiple times a week or that deal with their own issues of abuse. These kids are strong and far from spoiled.
Yes, I have rambled. But I put in my vote. My kids will go to public school.
I have had discussions with various co-workers about whether or not they would send their kids to public school now having worked with some of the more challenging kids there. The pros/cons lists seem endless. On the Private side, the kids will get some religious foundation (as most private schools are religious based at least in this area). The kids are supposedly exposed to a better croud, less trouble-makers and what not. (You may begin to see my slant). Also the rumor has it that the teachers are of higher quality and so the kids get a better education. Class sizes are smaller. The list continues on. I do agree that class sizes are small, but I have a difficult time seeing the rest.
The only redeeming quality to the Private school arguement is that it is not Public school. I have now worked in both settings. In Public schools you have overworked, underpaid, very tired teachers. On the other hand I have seen some of these same teachers retire from their public school job and head over to the private sector. It may be a change, but burnout is burnout. I know now that my preference is to work in the public school system. The pay--the same.
The kids--world of difference. While working in the private schools, the kids I worked with were (mostly) sheltered, the parents spoiled and the workers (sometimes) clueless. The kids--95% of the time were referred to me because their grades had begun to slip. They came with complaints that marijuana has not been legalized (like they would be an age to smoke it if it were) and their parents insist on being present at their drinking parties. These kids described going through parents medicine cabinets (because their parents wouldn't miss the pills), taking a few pills to a party, then mixing them up and choosing one based on it color. Many times I would contact the parents to discuss my concerns and they were offended with my interference.
Which brings me to The Parents--They worked hard to earn their comforts. It seemed though that they didn't want to be bothered to take it further, to parent. Although there were a good bit who truly cared, I was always so shocked at the one that didn't care.
The teachers--As I mentioned most private school in this area are religious based. The school I worked in was also religious based. Kids were given chance after chance to mess up and be forgiven. They fought to always maintain an element of grace in their dealings with the kids. Caught using drugs, service hours and counseling. Caught behind the art room being a bit too promiscuous (against school rules), counseling.
In Public school, the problems seem so much more real. There are limited resources, so only the sickest kids get sent to my office (and I only take those with the state's insurance). I love working in Public school and I am amazed everyday to see how these kids struggle and fight to survive and end up thriving. I have seen young kids struggling every day with depression (true suicidal depression) and bipolar. I work with kids that have to face that they see their father beat their mother to a pulp multiple times a week or that deal with their own issues of abuse. These kids are strong and far from spoiled.
Yes, I have rambled. But I put in my vote. My kids will go to public school.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Well, I've been inspired. My husband starting blogging and I thought I would give it a whirl. As you see, I'm still stuck in school--elementary and middle school that is. I work as a mental health therapist. And what a time to be working with kids. I apologize in advance for those who stumble onto my blog--I'm not exactly fluent with my words unless in a therapy session, even then I can end up stuttering. My thought processes are hardly linear. I would like to convince you that this is because I am so complicated and see things from a different perspective--that's not true. So let me tell you about what things actually do get me going (in a good way). I love God, my husband, nature (when it's not too hot). I love hanging out with friends and I love kids. What a pitiful start, but there you go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
