Someone from our class got a placement
I know him from our class and several other events, including the conference on fathers and men in the foster care system. He's one of the rare single dads. Because of that, I'm surprised he got a placement so soon.
On the other hand, this man is almost ridiculously perfect. I mean, he belongs on some kind of Most Eligible Black Bachelors of the Southeast list. He's handsome, but more than that, he radiates quiet confidence. He's service-oriented and has a teaching job. He's empathetic and compassionate, knowing when to listen and when to offer advice. Totally competent, organized and determined... out of our large licensing class, he had his paperwork finished before anyone else.
Single dads are subject to a lot of scrutiny by caseworkers. But workers must really appreciate them sometimes. For those children who happened to grow up with an abusive mother and no father figures, being adopted by a single dad could be the least traumatic outcome and the one that creates the least feeling of conflicted loyalty.
I know he was willing to accept higher levels of attachment disorder, up to and including RAD. He's educated and has a fair idea of what he's going to need to work on. I don't feel strong enough to go there, but I'm glad he does!
His new son is coming soon from another state for the first placement visit. Mr. New Dad is super-excited and promises to keep us updated.
To my discredit, I do feel some twinges of envy, but overall the news really lifted me up. Yay for Mr. New Dad!
Foster Care System Perspectives
5 comments:
Are you feeling better from last week? :)
*hug*
Yes I am :) Thanks. I feel like I'm on the turnaround.
That's good news. Adopting as a single dad certainly isn't easy, but like you said, he fills a niche. I found that, as a single woman, I filled a certain niche too. (Where there was a fear of men based on past abuse.) Ironically I was matched with Slugger who doesn't have that fear -- but several other kids were presented to me prior. (I had to say no for one reason or another. I rarely blogged about those possible placements, because I would have had to explain the kids' histories to explain my reasons and that wasn't something to post for the whole internet to read!)
I know its hard to feel that twinge when you know it is such a good thing to have another child placed.
Congrads to the new dad.
Glad to hear you're feeling better!
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