PRIDE Training

We had our first night of PRIDE training tonight.  It's a program offered through our Social Development that is mandatory if you wish to foster or adopt.  It's usually taken before the home study is started and is meant to give a background of what could be expected if you foster or adopt.  This way, you can make an informed decision and be sure it's something that is right for you and your family.

You can see an overview of the training here:
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/foster_care/overview_of_pre-servicetrainingsessions.html


Our situation is a little different where Charlee is family and needs to be placed as soon as possible.  Since PRIDE wasn't being offered again until Spring, Social Development went ahead and started our process in the Fall.  As said before, we have been approved for 7 1/2 weeks now.  We had signed a statement promising to complete this training when it came available.

The training is 27 hours long, 3 hours on Thursday evenings for 9 weeks.  I think the program will be interesting and helpful.  It will also be nice to build a support system of others who are also going through the same process.

Since we don't have much family in Fredericton available to watch the children while we are at the training, I asked Tyler's former sitter if one of her girls would be interested.  She said that between her and the girls (she has 4 daughters, 3 of which are at home), they would watch the children for us.  She insisted that I not pay them.  We are so appreciative and told her that I insist we pay.  We came to an agreement that I would do their family photos for them sometime this summer.  I'm so excited, since they are all gorgeous and what better way to repay someone than to give them lasting memories of them with the ones they love? :)

One of her daughters came tonight with her little guy.  Tyler was so excited to have a visitor.  All I can say is THANK YOU, thank you, and thank you some more.  This family is truly amazing and we are so blessed to know them.