The PAC Experience

We attended PAC (Pre- Adoption Classes) a week ago. It was 2 days of really helpful sessions, designed to educate and support us through the adoption process. I will try to give you a simple break down of our time there.

Day 1
The classes started at 12:15 so we got to lounge about that morning, which was a nice treat for us. We were first put into a small group of couples with a social worker. We discussed topics such as adoption language, what adoption is and is not, and the gains and losses of adoption. These were all really insightful topics to talk over with others who are also adopting. We then attended a session on attachment. The session focused on how a child being raised in an orphanage or in foster care experiences attachment issues that are different than a biological child who is with you since day one. It gave us a lot to think about. During our dinner time, our social worker went through our next steps in this process. After dinner we listened to a panel of adults, who were adopted as children. These people had a great perspective on the process. This panel was followed up with a panel of birth moms. It was really enlightening to hear their stories, and it made me really appreciative to hear their side of the story. That was the end of the night, and we went home with our minds absolutely reeling!!

Day 2
The classes started at 8:30am, so we were up earlier that morning. The first session we went to was on China. The Chinese program has a 2+ year wait time right now, and it keeps getting longer. Afterward, Jason and I had to split up to go separate sessions on Korea (Fawnda) and Russia (Jason). The Korean program is very stable, and the coordinator was really personable and spunky. : ) The Russian program is unpredictable, and bureaucratic. After the country sessions were over, we had lunch with our small group. After lunch, we attended a session on trans-racial families. This was packed with eye-opening information for us. It gave us great ideas about how to embrace the heritage and culture of our child. It was also a good reminder that if we adopt a child from another race, we will not longer be a “white” family. We are excited about becoming a multicultural family, but it seems to come with its own set of issues as well. Then one of the social workers talked about the post adoption services. It is amazing what they have to offer for support after our adoption is finalized. This discussion made us feel even more confidant in our decision with this agency. The day ended with a panel of adoptive parents who were sitting in PAC about a year and a half ago. It was encouraging to hear their stories, and to think that some day we might be sitting on that panel.

After attending all of the country sessions we have decided to go with the Korean program. We are definitely excited to start researching Korea, and to start collecting knick-knacks, books, decorations, clothes, etc from Korea. I feel like we now have a closer connection to our future child!!