Answer me this

[Mamamull]

I am going to meet my new son – a four and a half year – my husband couldn’t make it to this one – the first one! So, I get to pick a “neutral” place where we can meet and chat on a Wednesday morning at 10:00 (The social worker didn’t want to have to do too many weekend times. ) So, she asked for my earliest time, fortunately, I hedged and said 10:00. I drop my son off to school at 8:00 AM. That way I can pray and spend a little time seeking the grace and direction I will need that day.

I have four supervised hours with a four and a half year stranger that I am calling my son. Does this sound as crazy as it does to me?

What kind of places would you suggest?

We are in Cincinnati, so I can’t be sure the weather will cooperate for a trip to a park or the zoo.

We have a “museum center” which is the old train station with natural history and local history as well. It is coming out as my favorite, but I am less creative than usual.

Any suggestions? I am just a bit too worried about the supervised and four hour requirement.

Thanks,

 

[Nicole]

Hi there, we just adopted a 3yo boy from El Salvador. I would say anyplace that has things to keep him busy. He will need distractions to help him relax. What have they told him? Does he know you will be his forever Mommy? My son knew this, as much as a 3yo can, so he was nervous. He had a Foster Mom for the whole time and it was very hard for him to leave her. We went to the Mall, the Children’s Museum, swimming, lots of things that he would have fun doing and not get so nervous about the fact that I was there and I was his new Mommy.

Good luck!
Nicole

 

[SP38]

Do you have a COSI near you? Or some type of hands-on museum. Those are usually fun.

 

[Spatulate]

The public library for at least part of the time. Many libraries have puzzles and games to use, or you could enjoy some reading time with your son.

 

[Princess_Abby]

What about a place like Kids Zone or Discovery Zone or Chuck E Cheese–anywhere that involves games or playing or some sort of ability to share an experience together. He will have nervous energy and so will YOU–so let the two of you have an outlet for it by getting into the activity.

Don’t worry about the “supervised” part of it. This is your son–but you two don’t know each other quite yet. The social worker will be very used to seeing the awkwardness and uncomfortability that is simply natural in these situations.

You might just start out rather easy with the little guy, maybe establish early on what he even feels comfortable calling you, for instance. “Mommy” may be something that evolves.

 

[Mamamull]

Thanks to all of you. Great ideas and thanks for encouraging to remember this isn’t the first time the social worker has a nervous parent and child meet.

I don’t know what they have told him. He was with a foster home with two dads:bigyikes: The dads have been “non-compliant” but who knows what that means. The dads have agreed to be cooperative and child-centered in the dealings we have.

What the dads have said – I don’t know what they know about us – and what the social workers have said are all a mystery to me.

A friend told me about a DZ kind of place that is very close – and affordable. It is called Laugh and Learn – it has the mazes for climbing in and many activity tables where we can do stuff together.

I am going to take my six year old there tomorrow and try it out. I figured a little peek wouldn’t hurt.

When my six year old son and husband will be meeting Lovell, we will be at a Chuck E Cheese’s. I always tell Christopher that we can only go there for special times. This seemed to qualify for special.

Thanks again. I really appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Jermosh]

Mamamull:

Thanks again. I really appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut.

I want Thank you for giving a child a stable loving home. I think we all need to adopt a child in need. We were all adopted by the Father out of extreme love, we need to show that extreme love to others.

 

[sbcoral]

My own four year old son absolutely loves the Cincinnati children’s museum, which is at the Museum Center/Train station. I think that would be a wonderful place to take any child.