Shocking, I know, but The Queen and I are still very much upright and able to take nourishment as my father is fond of saying. We've just been very busy. I guess I should be apologizing in advance as this state of affairs is very likely to continue for the foreseeable future seeing as how law school starts three weeks from today, and I still have a lifetime's worth of stuff to accomplish between now and then.
For instance, tonight was another in a series of the classes required by the state of Texas to be allowed to foster or adopt children. Tomorrow night we will be hosting the CPR and First Aid class required to be licensed as a foster parent here at Castle Erickson. Thursday night, is an optional class called "Parenting 101". The Queen doesn't need this class as she has a wealth of experience in handling kids from her days as a nanny. Me...not so much. In between, we (read The Queen) will be house sitting through the weekend. I still have to work and accomplish assorted other tasks.
I will say this though, I have never wanted to be a professional (or even amateur) hitman in all my life more than after having to sit through the class on sexual abuse. There are people in this world like The Queen and I who fervently desire and pray to have children of our own but cannot while perverted scumbags not only have kids of their own but abuse them in ways that would cause normal people to vomit. I know there is no easy way to prevent such abuse from happening, but it sickens me to know that it does happen.
On that happy thought, I have to go do the dishes and go to bed. Goodnight. Hug your kids and hold them close if you have them.
What a world. You have to take multiple classes, crack whores have babies they lose in their rubble.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet if you got on welfare you would find yourself immediately pregnant.
North, I forget who wrote the quote (I think it was Robert Heinlein): "Parenting is the only profession left entirely to amateurs." It's a sad commentary that we spend more time teaching kids how to drive than to be a responsible parent.
ReplyDeleteMy wife frequently mumbles "have to have a license to have a dog...".
ReplyDeleteMy smart friend Maura once said something to the effect of not having a baby because you want a baby (they are cute little things, you know) but have a baby when you are ready to be a parent for the rest of your life.
North, I agree with both your wife and Maura. Although, the real shame is that there are a lot of people having babies not because they want them but simply because they couldn't be bothered to take steps to prevent getting pregnant. The Queen and I know of several situations like that, and it's just maddening when we here about these twits who were so selfish and self absorbed that they got knocked up or knocked someone up because they forgot to take the pill or didn't want to wear a condom or were just flat out too stupid to keep their pants on.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the wanting to be a hitman thing. I mean, who does that to any child?
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit screwed up that you have to take parenting classes, but any idiot is allowed to breed.
GunDiva, I'd say there ought to be a law, but it'd go against my ingrained libertarian belief in personal responsibility.
ReplyDeleteThat was always the hardest part for me as we dealt with my miscarriages. Watching other people abuse their kids or the ones who honestly had no intention of parenting them pop them out like bubbles. It made things so excruciating for me.
ReplyDeleteI am excited though that you guys are taking this avenue. My hubby was a foster kid at one point and he had some pretty amazing foster parents at times. He also had some who played the system for a check but they suck. My mom is also very involved in the foster care system in Utah and was a director at CASA for a lot of years so I know all the work it takes. You and your wife are awesome and any child is going to be dang lucky to have you!!
How many "lock up your gun" classes are you going to have to take? Or have you conveniently forgotten to mention that you're a shooter? 'Cause those people love that.
ReplyDeleteGunDiva, there's no way around mentioning that you are a shooter. They do what's called a "home study" where the case worker comes to your house to see if it's a safe and wholesome environment. I've already been looking into getting a decent gun safe, and The Queen and I have already discussed how we will go about introducing firearms and the shooting sports to the young one(s) once we adopt.
ReplyDeleteShepard K. while I couldn't agree with you more on this issue, one must still remember that even though there are idiots out there that definitely don't qualify to be responsible parents, they still have to go through the 9 months of getting ready. :o) And as much as our libertarian views are much the same, how sad it would be if big brother allowed any idiot to adopt or foster at will. I know that the path is not easy and the mechanism is sorely flawed, but the benefits and blessings will be abundant for you and the Queen. :o)
ReplyDeleteSo I guess I'm suggesting to just consider this your pregnancy period, LOL. That is never easy or fun for anyone....:o)
Hoping and praying for an easier delivery....LOL
Mr. Daddy, don't get me wrong. I have no problem going through the classes, the background checks, fingerprinting, income verification and all the other little hoohahs that have to be dotted and crossed to become a foster/adoptive parent. I think every responsible human being on the planet should take classes on parenting, etc. before having children biological or otherwise. I'm not going to go out on the limb and say it should be required though. The problem I have is that there are whole lot of idiots who waste that nine months that nature afforded them for getting ready to be a parent or, worse, knowingly and intentionally doing things to harm the child before and after birth. Those are the moles that I'd like to whack. A .308 to the head will knock some sense into them...permanently.
ReplyDeleteShepard K.
ReplyDelete"Those are the moles that I'd like to whack. A .308 to the head will knock some sense into them...permanently."
Please note that in that endeavor I would be your spotter, or willing accomplice. :o) or fellow shooter.
Mr. Daddy, done deal. Now if we could just figure out a way to market our services and get paid without running afoul of the law, we'd be in business. Unfortunately, "he needed killin'" still isn't a valid defense to human varmint control.
ReplyDeleteMy parents took my brother and I in as foster parents. They were considered too old for regular adoption (at that time) and both being LEO, the state figured they could deal with whatever scars the children came with.
ReplyDeleteWe had ours, I hear, but I was too little to remember anything but Mom's laugh and Dad reading me stories. They adopted us both, for which I am eternally blessed.