Cross Column

Avodah - chinuch - hadracha - ezer kenegdo

4.12.2007

Checking into adoption....SCARED

***update as of 4-13-07***

So I just emailed a social worker and she said it is rare that a social worker speaks to a child alone unless they are a teenager who has shown they don't really want to share their home with another person. She also said she would never force a shy child to speak to her alone and she doesn't understand why a homeschool organization is telling parents not to let them into the home nor to speak to the children....
She wants our address and phone number to get the process started...should I give it out? Will she show up on my doorstep and try to prove me an unfit parent because I homeschool - and since it is only Year 0 (kindergarten) I am not forcing my son to memorize a ton of stuff ...we do basic phonics and lots of read a louds and if he shows interest maybe some writing of letters or numbers but again only if he shows interest. We mostly play to learn or play outside.

Scared....paranoid? maybe both.

***update****
Based on a recommendation at homeschoolblogger to try a christian agency...I contacted Bethany and they only do infant adoptions and for people with a child already we could expect a 3+ year wait and can't even get on a waiting list for another few months as the program is not taking any more applicants at this time. They are not able to help in the adoption of a child cleared thru the state for adoption.
SO I contacted a home I saw in a city nearby and she has invited us to an info meeting and classes to be licenses to foster/adopt start July 10th.
The only concern now with the christian ones is - both spouses attend different churches... I explained I need spiritual meat but hubby is still a milk fed person. She liked that answer.
So now it's go with the christian one and wait to get thru the process or the state one and get the process started right away.
state -
http://www.foster-adopt.org/default.asp?action=article&ID=64
christian - http://www.mbch.org/Services/ServicesAdoption.asp
DH will be home in a few hours...will let you know what he says.

In my state, we are not required to keep homeschool records until the age of 7 which is the compulsory age to prove schooling if requested politely. so at this age of 5, it's not even required my son be doing any schooling at all. - phew-
oh and DH said as long as he passes his upcoming railroad test and finds out whether or not he gets laid off or get s job right way -as that determines if we even stay in this state- he is ok with adopting a child already cleared by the court in the state. -YAY!!

1 comment:

Liz in the Mist said...

I just wanted to say I am praying for you during this time. It is a tough decision (and I am a social worker myself, so I realize the many sides to this situation) You and your family will be in my prayers.