Friday, November 7, 2008

It's early Friday evening, I am waiting for DH to get home from work. I have very little to look forward to this weekend - another in a long line of weekends with no highlights - and I'm feeling a little down. I know there are lots of wives who become golf widows in the summer, or are left to fend for themselves for weeks of hunting seasons. My husband is working both Saturday and Sunday for the third weekend in a row, and I'm just a little bummed and missing him.

I do have plans to see Madagascar 2 with my friend S, and her 3-year-old son T. So, I have one activity planned for this weekend. Other ideas include scrapbooking the Christmas photo cards from last year, shopping for maternity clothes, and Christmas shopping. Plus, I brought home some work. Sad, huh?

The state called yesterday to set up our official home visit to finalize our foster care license. They will be here on Wednesday at 1pm. It will be a busy day since I have an OB appointment that morning, and a big meeting at work that afternoon, but I want to get it done. When I called the agency to let them know about the time so they could be here and bring all my paperwork for me, N. told me the reason we hadn't had any placements yet was because all the kids they'd had this week were 'rough' and with me being pregnant she wanted our first placement to be easy. So, I guess I can't complain about that.

Yesterday, I spent the morning at a local social service agency with the 3-year-old pre school class. It's an integrated classroom with 50% developmentally challenged kids. I could never be an early childhood educator, or a stay at home mom, and I especially do not have the gifts to work with special needs kids. But it was okay for a couple of hours.

Mostly, I just put together puzzles, wiped snotty noses, and prevented fistfights. I think the kids' favorite part was when I sat at the Play Doh table and made them anything they requested. I started making them bracelets which I would then encourage them to show their friends. Their little friends would applaud and come running (literally, running!) to get an up close view of the bracelet. It was very cute to see them model their tiny little Play Doh bracelets and to hear the ooohs and ahhhhs. But also scary, because being 16 weeks pregnant and having all the complications of infertility plus the spotting plus the PW incident this week, it would not be hard for me to obsess about birth defects. There were about 5 kids in that class with some major issues (wheelchair bound, no verbal communication, severe autism, etc.). But I didn't let my mind go there. I just made the best of my time and tried to not be in the way of the teachers.

The social worker who gave me my tour of the facility before I sat in the class (this was a work thing) also called my worker at our foster care agency to tell her what a great resource parent I was going to be. I guess I didn't realize I was being watched, but it was nice of her to call and put in a good word for us. Since the social worker used to work for our agency, I just happened to mention that we knew this woman, N., when we were introduced. N. said the social worker called about 2 minutes after I left yesterday ;-) I know we'll be good resource parents, but it was nice to have someone see me outside of my comfort zone and think that on her own.

5 comments:

Paula Keller said...

I have my husband home with me, and still my weekend will probably be on par with yours! :P Let's see, laundry, cleaning, going to the recycle center, maybe baking, maybe a movie... Yes, very exciting stuff!

I taught preschool and now I teach 2nd grade. I will NOT go back. I don't even want to go to 1st grade. Snotty noses are not for me. Yet, I do enjoy taking my 2nd graders to kindergarted for reading buddies, and watching the amazement on the kindergartners' faces at ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! They are cute at that age.

It is a special kind of person with a gift from God of neverending patience and understanding that is able to care for special needs' children. I applaude them, yet I am smart enough to know that I am not one of them.

Erin said...

Yey for final visits and easy placements. It is thoughtful of her to think of your current state when placing a child with you.

Ok so DH works every Saturday from 7-7 and some Sundays too. I know I signed up for it marrying a police officer. I have to say when he is off (like last weekend) I almost don't know what to do with him. I have to say I enjoy my time alone! I hope your DH stops working weekends or you come to love movies and laundry like I do.

Jill said...

Just wanted to reiterate that I think you are such a fabulous person. These children will be so lucky to have you in their lives.

Erin said...

LOL... oh boy the one answer I missed changing....

I grew up in NJ, I will have to edit my post. I still live in NJ actually 35 minutes from where I grew up. So if you ever need a stay at the beach...

Jamie said...

It is very reassuring to know the agency is looking out for you and trying to get you an easier placement. I hope it will be a very positive experience for you!

It was nice of the social worker to call and let them know how well you did. But I'm not surprised - I know you will be wonderful!