Foster Care

My husband and I have been taking foster care classes to get licensed to care for children in need. Each class is on a different area of need for these children and lasts approximately 3 hours. On Saturday we had a double dose...2 classes! It was overwhelming to say the least, but also very informative.Each class has an activity. This time we were given a spelling test. I know, felt like we were in school again!! We had been talking about kids who have undiagnosed disabilities, such as dyslexia. So, he had us number 1-10. Then he asked us to raise our writing hand. When we did, he told us to write with the opposite hand. Then he said, turn your paper upside down. Now, trying to write with the opposite hand is challenging enough, but now upside down? Then, before we started he chose one lady to write with her correct writing hand. He said he would say the word, say it in a sentence, then move on...no going back or repeating any missed words. When we were finished, he asked how many of us thought that the speed of giving the words was too fast? Everyone, but the lady who was writing with her correct hand, said yes it was too fast. He then told us, that he used her as a guide. When she finished her word he moved on. He then told us this is the best way to show us how some of these kids struggle in regular classes. They have moved from school to school and slipped through the system. 

The second class activity was a debate. He divided the class into to sides. He said our side was pro and the other side was con. (whether it was your actual position on not) Then he gave us a statement and we went to another room to come up with our position. We came back and the debate began. Some got very heated over the subject matter, but no one was out of line with what they said. Then he told us, there is no right answer to this, you have to take it case by case, child by child and have multiple conversations. Ok, so you're wondering what the topic was? I'll leave you with this... You have a 14 year old foster daughter in your care. She sends you a text that says... I want to be on birth control. What do you do, how do you react!!