Adoptive Parenting 200

Brian and I were really excited about our second parenting class, especially since our home study was being completed (see post below). This class was taught by our social worker Lori and her business partner, Susan. We learned a lot about attachment. We focused on the psychology behind a child constantly not having their needs met and some of the expressions a child may have because of this, whether it be shutting down or hyperactivity/crying. We were also taught how to reparent a child who has experienced this loss and sense of extreme independence. The most helpful part for us was learning specific techniques like what to do if our child refuses to eat, has constant temper tantrums, cries incessantly, etc. A lot of the examples were specific to toddlers and older children but many of the things said pertained to infants. Again the importance of the parent meeting every need right away was stressed. We were again told at least for the first month to three months we need to be doing all the feeding, diaper changing, putting to bed, bathing, etc. in order for our child to be able to attach to us and not just see us as more caregivers but really see us as that constant in his life. We were warned about over-stimulation and really needing to just lay low at first. It really was fun to talk to other parents in the adoption process and get to know everyone in our class a bit more.