Last year when we had already completed pride training and shortly after receiving our approvals from both the Canadian and Russian governments we were advised of additional 80 hours of required training. This was a new requirement handed down by the Russian Government. We didn't know anything such as costs, location, when or structure of training (ie classroom).
Initially we were concerned about the amount of hours. 80 hours!! When were we going to have time to do 2 weeks of training. Since you need approximately 4 - 6 weeks for traveling to and from Russia 3 times we wouldn't have any vacation time left.
About a month before the training started (October 2012) we were asked what weekend we are available. We thought, only 1 weekend of training? That's not so bad, but how does that equal 80 hours? Luckily, the hours we completed in Pride training would account towards this 80 hours. So that took up almost half right there.
We were asked to do homework before the class and we spent two full days (saturday and sunday) with others in our situation learning about Russian adoption. Since we were the guinea pigs, it wasn't the most organized. There was some positive things we did learn. We had doctors who practiced in Russia explain the care Russians would receive and our child. We had a day care worker talk to us about some activities we should try when we meet our child. The were other things, but I don't remember. That's how good it was, that I only remember very little.
The best part, by far, was meeting other people adopting from Russia. There were two couples and a single mom who already went on their first visit to Russia. Their information was invaluable. Talking about what the proposal would look like, the orphanage, meeting your child, travel arrangements, food in Russia, etc. etc. Not only was it nice hearing all this information, it was nice to see people who have met their child already. It made it feel real and made us excited for our future.
Although the adoption process comes with a lot of challenges and obstacles, if it makes me appreciate and become a better parent it will be all worth it. The harder you work at something the more you appreciate.
So don't fear the extra training, it was all good.
Current update: waiting
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
articles on russian adoption ban
Latest news:
They may allow the Americans to continue with their adoption for those in process, promoting russians to adopting domestically. Department of Education against the ban. All children in orphanages are under this group hence the ban. They understand the importance of giving the children an opportunity as they can't support 750,000 orphanges. Looks like there should be continued talks regarding the ban this week.
http://rt.com/politics/russia-parliamentary-request-adoptions-045/
russian schoolgirl view based on inadequate medical system.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1314798--blind-girl-s-blog-ripping-russia-s-adoption-ban-attracts-scrutiny-of-authorities
russians protest the ban with an overwhelming number of protestors.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-13/russian-protest-march-against-u-s-adoption-ban-starts-in-moscow.html
Russian bans us adoptions, my thoughts
A big story in the adoption world surfaced before the holidays. Russia, specifically Putin, signed a law to ban all adoptions from US parents. It was effective almost immediately. Affecting many potential families. News sources reported approximately 64 families already met and bonded with their child. Now, it's all over.
I won't get into why the ban happened as that can be googled. I want to focus on the feelings as prospective parents waiting for our child in Russia. We haven't bonded or even seen a picture of our future child, so I can't imagine what that families are going through who have. Going through all this to see a picture, meet and bond with your child to be taken away from you because of politics. It's a nightmare. They are dealing with a loss of their child and will potentially never seeing them again. Never knowing what they will be like and having to always wonder.
We initialed freaked out. We thought we would be lumped in with the Americans. Something Canada is a lot of the time. We were worried we would lose everything and have to start over. Thinking the whole last year is a void with nothing but a horrible memory. After the initial shock and reaching out to our adoption agency, we slowly felt a little better with time. It seems passing a bill like this in Canada would take several months, likely well after we are done. So, we plug away. Still waiting for a proposal of our child. That fear is still there that we may lose everything. Luckily, we don't know anything about our child, not seen even a picture which makes it easier to start over if we had to. Easy relatively speaking of course. Better to end now before the bond is made.
People don't understand how little control you have over this. Russia can ban Canadian adoptions, they don't owe us anything. No one does. Basically, we are asking to take one of their children-we have to play along. This action by Russia showed we are simply sheep in this process. We follow what they tell us to do to get what we want. Because of this the fear of them pulling the plug will be there until I am home with my child. Like all parents, you always fear for your child's well being. Well, just because I haven't met my child doesn't mean I don't care. I've thought about all the things I will do to safely raise them and teach them as they get older. I feel the same way as parents now do even though I am not one yet. That started as soon as you start the process. The thoughts of what they will be like, what things we'll do together, trips we will take, etc. has been going on in my head for months, even years.
There was a protest against Putin signing this ban against US adopting Russian children. Many people showed their disagreement with this ban. I am grateful for these people. Thanks you for everyone who has fought against this. We want to do best by our child, just give us a chance to be a parent.
Current Update: still waiting
I won't get into why the ban happened as that can be googled. I want to focus on the feelings as prospective parents waiting for our child in Russia. We haven't bonded or even seen a picture of our future child, so I can't imagine what that families are going through who have. Going through all this to see a picture, meet and bond with your child to be taken away from you because of politics. It's a nightmare. They are dealing with a loss of their child and will potentially never seeing them again. Never knowing what they will be like and having to always wonder.
We initialed freaked out. We thought we would be lumped in with the Americans. Something Canada is a lot of the time. We were worried we would lose everything and have to start over. Thinking the whole last year is a void with nothing but a horrible memory. After the initial shock and reaching out to our adoption agency, we slowly felt a little better with time. It seems passing a bill like this in Canada would take several months, likely well after we are done. So, we plug away. Still waiting for a proposal of our child. That fear is still there that we may lose everything. Luckily, we don't know anything about our child, not seen even a picture which makes it easier to start over if we had to. Easy relatively speaking of course. Better to end now before the bond is made.
People don't understand how little control you have over this. Russia can ban Canadian adoptions, they don't owe us anything. No one does. Basically, we are asking to take one of their children-we have to play along. This action by Russia showed we are simply sheep in this process. We follow what they tell us to do to get what we want. Because of this the fear of them pulling the plug will be there until I am home with my child. Like all parents, you always fear for your child's well being. Well, just because I haven't met my child doesn't mean I don't care. I've thought about all the things I will do to safely raise them and teach them as they get older. I feel the same way as parents now do even though I am not one yet. That started as soon as you start the process. The thoughts of what they will be like, what things we'll do together, trips we will take, etc. has been going on in my head for months, even years.
There was a protest against Putin signing this ban against US adopting Russian children. Many people showed their disagreement with this ban. I am grateful for these people. Thanks you for everyone who has fought against this. We want to do best by our child, just give us a chance to be a parent.
Current Update: still waiting
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