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Training on African American Hair

elissaann26elissaann26 member
in Adoption

My county offered a training on African American hair this week.  Since I have zero experience in this area, it was super helpful!  The focus was on keeping the hair clean and healthy and helping to build the child's self confidence through talking positive about their hair.  They also covered some simple styles, so that the kids wouldn't look a hot mess.

When we were notified about this training, I was shocked at how useful it was.  I have worried that my required in-service training hours would be hours wasted just checking the box.  But honestly, I would willingly listen to 10 hours a year about this topic alone.  Now I'm only hoping that the rest of the training opportunities offered are just as worthwhile.

I was curious if this a common training offered to foster parents.  What other training session have you gone to that were worthwhile?  What topics do you wish were covered in training sessions?

If you want to hear more details abuot this session, check out my blog.

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Re: Training on African American Hair

  • ctbride08ctbride08 member

    Yes, they offer it here too and we took it pre-kids.  I'm probably in the minority here, but I didnt find it terribly useful.  Some stuff was good to know, but it was too general (from the reference point that there is only 1 type of AA hair).  The most helpful thing for me was to find a good stylist that I trusted.  Then, when we actually got our children, she was able to tell me the products best suited for their exact hair.  That was really helpful since all 3 of my black kids have very different types of hair.

     

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  • ctbride08ctbride08 member

    As for the other training classes I've taken...'eh.  I mean, they are good topics (sibling relationships, cultural identity, behavior modification, attachment building, effects of drug exposure, positive parenting, working with bio families, ect) but, being a crazy person, these are all things I've researched in depth on my own.  Like the hair care class, they are just too basic.  I feel like here on this board and in the blogs I read the discussions on these topics are much more in depth and applicable.

    I basically go to show my SW that I'm trying to play by the rules.  And to people watch...there is some goood people watching at foster training classes!

    Blogs: Our Growing Family - CT Working Moms
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  • EratMamaEratMama
    imagectbride08:

    As for the other training classes I've taken...'eh.  I mean, they are good topics (sibling relationships, cultural identity, behavior modification, attachment building, effects of drug exposure, positive parenting, working with bio families, ect) but, being a crazy person, these are all things I've researched in depth on my own.  Like the hair care class, they are just too basic.  I feel like here on this board and in the blogs I read the discussions on these topics are much more in depth and applicable.

    I basically go to show my SW that I'm trying to play by the rules.  And to people watch...there is some goood people watching at foster training classes!

     

    Ditto this.  I have liked most of our presenters, but the info is way too basic and out of order.  (A class that boiled down to stress management and take care of yourself after I've had kids for 4 months?  goindt o the class was much more stressful.)  

    I also go to network with other foster parents in tehar ea.

     

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  • elissaann26elissaann26 member

    Editted:  Sorry duplicate post

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  • elissaann26elissaann26 member
    imagectbride08:

    As for the other training classes I've taken...'eh.  I mean, they are good topics (sibling relationships, cultural identity, behavior modification, attachment building, effects of drug exposure, positive parenting, working with bio families, ect) but, being a crazy person, these are all things I've researched in depth on my own.  Like the hair care class, they are just too basic.  I feel like here on this board and in the blogs I read the discussions on these topics are much more in depth and applicable.

    I basically go to show my SW that I'm trying to play by the rules.  And to people watch...there is some goood people watching at foster training classes!

    People watching!  I never thought of that!  Is it bad that now I'm a bit more excited to go to more training?

    image
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  • meganroseleemeganroselee member
    imagectbride08:

    Yes, they offer it here too and we took it pre-kids.  I'm probably in the minority here, but I didnt find it terribly useful.  Some stuff was good to know, but it was too general (from the reference point that there is only 1 type of AA hair).  The most helpful thing for me was to find a good stylist that I trusted.  Then, when we actually got our children, she was able to tell me the products best suited for their exact hair.  That was really helpful since all 3 of my black kids have very different types of hair.

     

    this is what I was thinking. I am black American (my fathers maternal greatgrandfather was Jewish of polish extraction, my greatgrandmother was African) a nd my mother with straight thinner hair (black Jamaican, Chinese and African) never knew what to do with my hair curly, kinky, thick hair. Black in America can be so diverse. my son is biracial and I'm learning how to style his baby poof. I'm pregnant with an unk gender biracial baby... Esp if its a girl, plan is to see what type hair she/he has and go from there. I think staying flexible like ctbride is a good idea.
    33 yo, DH with MFI Iui x4, Dec 2009 to Jan2011 all BFN.... IVF May 2011 BFP, mc June 2011 at 6.5 weeks, FET Oct 2011 BFP! Sweet baby girl born 25 June 2012** started adoption process Feb 2010, approved Oct 2010, failed match in delivery rooms Feb & Aug 2011... Birthmom called back 3d after we returned home. Aug 26 2011, our sweet baby boy comes home for good!!
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