The Individual Self-Study Form is a big packet with lots of questions. Here is what you have to answer.
There are the basics that you would assume -- your education, work, etc.
You have to detail your current work schedule, and if you have plans to seek another job.
"How would others describe your personality?" I really puzzled over that one.
Lots of questions about your family. Not only basic information but "Description of Personality." And you must write about your relationship with them. I decided that they might not appreciate my sense of humour if under Dad I had answered "Current Relationship (including how often you contact him)" with some suggestion that I routinely talk with the dead.
Then a section about your childhood. "Describe your childhood." "Who disciplined you and how." "Who showed you affection and how." "What would you like to have changed growing up?" I answered that one quite simply, "Dad dying."
Next, Significant Life Experiences.
Then discussion of our current household and its family dynamics. Including. "What attracted you to him/her?" I answered, "Not only was he very handsome, he had poise and bearing, an engaging personality which drew people, humour, curiosity, and passion for justice."
"How would you describe your relationship?" All these very open-ended questions.
Then a section Decision Making. "How are major decisions made in your home?" "How about minor decisions?"
Next, Family Life Style, including many questions about religion and church attendance and involvement. "What would you do if a child with a different religion was placed in your home?"
Then lots of questions about our house.
Our parenting style and methods of discipline. "When children come into your home, what expectations/goals do you have of them?" And many other questions about relating to children and the adoption process.
Then all the questions about what age and type of child one is interested in. Talking through that together was very strange. At the first class they indicated that no one ever fills this form out exactly the same after the parenting class as they did at the beginning. That intrigues me.
Finally, our household budget.
It took me days to fill out this form. How would you answer all these questions?
-- Scott
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