Expectations and Permissions

For the past week I have had a baseline level of anxiety flowing smoothly along my brain and, incidentally, down the back of my neck and spine.

You see, my son was adopted from foster care.

As a reminder, I submit the following:

When you begin the process for foster/adopt, it is made very clear very early on that these kids belong to "them." Statements are used to remind prospective parents of their place: "You cannot do this with OUR kids," "OUR kids have special needs," "When you take care of OUR kids," and so on.

So since the last week of school, I had been mulling over the idea of putting T in a public charter emphasizing a home school program. Without getting into too much detail, this is something fairly frowned upon by the county as a legitimate schooling option for THEIR children.

With some trepidation, I sought to get permission from our social worker. My first message was not answered, and I REALLY began to panic a little.

Finally, after the second message, I got a call-back. We made our appointments for our interviews for #2, then I asked my dreaded question about putting T in a home school charter.

"Oh," he says, "you don't have to check with me. He's YOUR kid."

I actually began to shake a little as I blubbered some incomprehensible response having to do with not knowing, then hung up and exhaled.

Perhaps it's because of the two years spent hearing "OUR KIDS," but him saying "YOUR KID" really hit me in a weird place.

I hope to hear that again some time in the next year or so. ;)