Mother of Seven + 2

Those three words are hard to say.  I hate admitting it when I am in the wrong.  It's a pride issue.  I finally broke down and bought a book that many adoptive families have recommended to me over the past seven years.  As I've analyzed why I didn't read it sooner, it really boiled down to I thought I was doing fine without it .  There is that pride popping up again. Now as I am reading the book, I keep thinking, "This would have been great to know and understand a few years ago."  I have no one to blame but myself though.  I can make excuses and say, "I was too busy."  However, I've probably read one hundred other books in the past couple years.  Seriously, I have.  I love to read.  I can say, "I didn't have the money to buy it."   Perhaps not, but with some prioritizing I could have found the money.  There was money spent on frivolous items that would have been better spent buying this book. Fear was also a ...

To become a foster parent in our state one has to attend thirty hours of classes.  The purpose of the classes is to equip the parents with the tools needed for foster care and adoption.  Many of these hours are spent going over legalities, learning how to fill out all the necessary paperwork, and being certified in administering First Aid.  Quite a bit of time was spent in role play situations to help us understand the child's perspective.  This was helpful. However, once we received our children, I felt poorly equipped.  My husband and I made it a point to go out every other week by ourselves.  We wanted to protect our marriage during this time of high stress.  But I didn't know how to take care of myself.  I didn't even know I needed to take care of myself.  I learned a lot by trial and error. Good news!  There is an e-book out that is extremely helpful.  I recommend it as a must read for any foster or adoptive family.  I...