Frustrations

This process is full of frustrations (if you couldn't already tell by my last post). There are so many hoops and blocks you have to navigate over and around; with very little help in said navigation. One of these hoops: 27 hours of PRIDE Foster Care training. Three hours a night for 9 evenings after work. The training, which is not nearly as dreadful as I originally imagined, is still far from entertaining. 

The information is semi-interesting, but mostly not really new or helpful to anyone with any experience with children, the government, or common sense (there are exceptions, but the majority of the 3 hours require some effort to make it through). I thought this in and of itself would be bad, but I learned tonight how to make it worse. Add in a husband who rather than just grin and bearing it like most people, has to make snide/sarcastic remarks at every opportunity and clearly lets his negative attitude show with every response. 

Don't get me wrong. It really isn't that I think this training will be very helpful to us or purposeful. But, like many things in this process, it is just part of the process (or the game if you will). It is one of the rules you have to follow. A means to an end. I don't understand how letting it upset you and making everyone else uncomfortable and miserable helps anything at all. 

I'll bet 90%+ of the class feels the same way we do, but that doesn't mean it is time to act immaturely and show exactly how you feel. It is time to put on your big kid pants and pretend it is all just fine and dandy. In a couple weeks, this course will be over and assuming we don't let our license lapse, we'll never have to take it again! 

In the meantime, I now need to figure out a way to try and help my husband realize that his behavior is making it worse and this already difficult process more difficult. Ugh! I guess worst case, it is only 7 more evenings and then it will be done. I just hope I get my supportive partner back. This process is hard enough on its own. 


UPDATE: Tom came home and without any prompting apologized and we talked through it. I'm sure he'll (we'll) still get frustrated at the unnecessary and wasteful steps we take. But at least we've realigned and reminded ourselves of the reason it is all worth it!