There is nothing funny about the psych assessment sitting on my kitchen table, mocking me with it’s pages of judgements and recommendations.
I’ve tried to find the funny of it, buried deep between the parts where the report says that contrary to all my flaws I may actually be a good parent and the parts stating I may need professional help to ever be considered normal.
I’ve tried to find humour while reading that I am flippant and aggressive. (Ya, so? Wanna make something of it?)
I’ve tried to find a way to bring humour to a report which describes me as insensitive and overly frank with a streak of exhibitionism.
Like that’s a bad thing? It’s not like I go around flashing my boobs, people. (At least not while sober.)
Excuse me while I go find a bottle of red to boost my fragile ego.
This report has been the bane of my sanity before it’s very existence. The mere thought that I had to be clinically assessed in a psychological manner because I had the nerve to take antidepressants when my child died suddenly was and still is, insulting.
The fact the psych dude read my blog and didn’t like my sense of humour, my style of writing or my content, should never have entered his rendering of my assessment.
Yet, I suspect it did.
And I’m pissed. And not in an alcoholic way.
Overall, the psych assessment found my family and me to be suitable candidates for adoption. None of us are depressed, psychopathic, suicidal or homicidal.
(I hadn’t read the report yet.)
The report wasn’t all bad. Apparently I have the parenting skills of a super hero, much to the amazement of the psych dude. My children are well adjusted (despite my personality flaws) and delightful to be around. My husband could single handily save the world with his broad shoulders and most certainly saved me from a life of dancing around a pole, the report finds.
There are other glimmers of positive reinforcement in the report, just enough to keep me from jumping off a bridge or locking myself into a padded room.
But it is an unusual and oddly disturbing moment to have your life, your personality and your very essence ripped apart and dissected by complete strangers all so that you may have the opportunity to adopt a child. It would have been much easier to find a donor, fill a turkey baster and um, baste one’s self to get a kid.
If only I had thought of that first. Damn.
I was hesitant to post about this report, as I’m a little sensitive to criticism right now. (Hmm. Wonder why.) My family and I have been under a microscope for over a year now and I’m feeling a little shy about more scrutiny. But when I made the decision to blog about the trials and tribulations of adopting, and ultimately went public with this quest of my family’s, I promised myself I would post the good, the bad, and the ugly.
And boy, was this ugly.
Ultimately, regardless of how humbling this report has been to my ego, it has been a useful tool for me and my husband. It’s bonded us closer and gave us an insight to our children that most parents don’t get. It’s made us love one another a little more tenderly, because we now know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that momma is ape-shit crazy and you never know when she’s gonna come unglued.
Er, I mean, we all have our personal flaws printed in black and white and there is no need to point them out to one another anymore. We have an official document broadcasting them for all to read.
This report, in all it’s painful glory did more than knock me down a peg or two and make me reach for my wine glass. It gave me a small gift in fine print, buried amongst all the harsh findings of what an incredible nut job I really am.
It told me how much my family really loves me, and how unbelievably amazing all of them really are. Flaws and all. Not that I needed a three thousand dollar psychological assessment to tell me that. I already knew.
But now I have proof.
******EDIT:******
I just want to clarify for everyone that we were RECOMMENDED for approval. We still have yet to be approved. This means the home assessment and our psych assessment and the recommendation will be forwarded to the adoption headquarters magic kingdom and some fairy prince or princess will read the recommendation and assessments and rubber stamp it yes or no. My adoption case workers assure us they are confident our application will be approved. I’m placing my sanity in their hands and trusting they wouldn’t lie to me. After all, you don’t lie to crazy people and I’m certifiable. The report said so.
And thanks for all the support. It’s good to know someone likes me. Because I’m positive the psych dude didn’t.








Alberta Girl
I suggest that you take up Extreme Ironing. The psych dude would totally love you after that.
Binky
I’ve yet to meet anyone whose psych report would come back clean. It’s the truly self-aware people that admit they’re a little nuts–and those are the people around whom I feel most comfortable.
The rest are lying to somebody.
jellyhead
LIKE you? We adore you!!
Has the thought ever entered your mind that the psych dude could be an uptight, anal retentive with the personality of a pumpkin? (sorry, psych dude…. it’s just we love our Redneck Mommy and you were MEAN)
You are wonderfully wacky, just the way you are.
Worker Mommy
Not sure I could take reading a psych eval of myself without downing a bottle of “white” first.
carrie
I can’t imagine I would be approved for anything if a mean, grumpy psych dude visited me. I’m glad the microscope part is over for you and let us know when that stamp that reads “approved” finds it’s way to your home – like I know it will!
Em
Of course you have great parenting skills! It is your sense of humor and rampant (well, okay, moderate) exhibitionism…and the way you embrace life, that makes it all work! I’m glad you got recommended and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for success.
And just in case some psych dude is reading this…when I say “moderate exhibitionism”…that does not mean I’ve seen her boobs or anything. It just means she’s not afraid to say funny things!
Mrs. Chicky
I don’t need some report to tell me you’re bat sh*t crazy. I already knew that. But I wouldn’t love you as much as I do if you weren’t. I don’t trust people who aren’t just a little wack-a-doo.
Now, put your boobs away.
*smooches*
gorillabuns
what do they know? psych assessment “givers” like stats and the “norm.” personalities? they don’t have ‘em.
note to self: lie about everything and tell them what they want to hear/read if ever given a psych assessment.
the new girl
I can’t imagine that he read your blog and allowed that to influence his report but I bet you’re right. the creep. I think that he’s a little voyeur, so how’s that?
I’m going to write that in HIS report.
Sending you so many good vibes for full acceptance.
Hmm. That sounds a little dirty, there. You know what I meant.
xoxo
Jennifer McKenzie
Um, let’s just say that if I was given same said evaluation, I would NOT be accepted.
Everyone has said what I’d say.
Psych guy=crazy.
Redneck Mommy=Our Hero.
Jana
That report is what other people think. What is more important is what you know. If you dwell on the report try to concentrate on only the good stuff. At least he got that right!
FishyGirl
Remember that saying that says if the only tool you have is a hammer, then every problem will look like a nail? He only has a hammer. My sister is going through some issues right now and is frustrated because her doctors keep giving her different answers. I likened it to back pain; if you go to your regular doctor with back pain, they give you exercises and a muscle relaxant. If you go to the orthopedist, they recommend surgery. If you go to the chiropractor, they do adjustments. All the same back pain.
The psych dude is supposed to find fault. If he had to come to your blog to find it, I’d say that’s a pretty damn good assessment. Please don’t dwell on the few parts you don’t like; dwell on the part that says you are recommended to be a kid’s Mommy, because Dude, that’s all that matters.
You already know how much you are loved and admired – said by the true crazy person.
Jozet at Halushki
“insensitive and overly frank with a streak of exhibitionism”
Uhhh.
Dude seriously has no sense of humor.
He also has poor reading comprehension skills.
Anyone who has read any of your blogs, knows dams straight that the first qualifier is just stoopid. Sorry if that sounds insensitive.
Overly frank? I’d say you are honest and earnest in ten-thousand ways, and more people should take your lead.
Streak of exhibitionism? Well what writer who publishes his or her own work isn’t? What was your first clue, Dr. Freud?
I’d say that willingness to get up on stage comes from the same place of strength whence comes the wherewithall to not pussyfoot around when it comes to geting up on a soapbox when advocating for one’s children.
Damn.
Dude gets Halushki’s Geek of the Week Award.
Maria Testa
I started reading your blog about a year ago, do I think you are crazy….YES, I do. You are some one who I would love to have as friend and be proud to have you as a friend. You are HONEST….more people should be this way…you are not afraid to show your emotion no matter what it might be…You are not afraid of letting people know your Family is real….no pretend….your children are very lucky to have a woman who is strong and weak and it is ok to be both. They are learning from the best on how to be HUMAN…
Maria ( New Jersey)
P.S. I like to read your blog with a bottle of red in my hand!!!!
ali
everyone is crazy, period. everyone could be diagnosed with some psych issue, all you have to do is look hard enough and blur a few lines. don’t stress about it, you got through that part, moving on to the next one. your only as crazy as the next person, but based on your blog….please don’t cook! oh and don’t forget how good you are at yelling!
Robin
I like flippant people.
Insensitive? Nah. Awesome? You betcha lady.
Crazy? Butofcourse.
But.that.is.why.we.all.LOVE.you.T!
Hang in there woman.
Corgimom
Greetings via Redsy!
The whole adoption routine really made me want to crusade for Parenting Licenses for everyone! After all, how a stanger parents impacts society far more than how they drive their dang car. We had to jump through hoop after hoop just because we weren’t able to easily get knocked up.
What I do know is that almost three years later I almost never think of the process, only of the joy of the kiddo who occupies every corner of my heart.
Jenny
It would seem to me that someone would need a sense of humor to be a good parent. Therefore, you are the perfect candidate. I’m wishing you a speedy process.
LawyerMama
All the best people are crazy. I’m just sayin’.
Seriously though. Do any of us really know that woman who is perfectly adjusted, has no character flaws, and is the perfect parent? Um, no. She doesn’t exist. I agree that the blog shouldn’t have gone into his psychological assessment, but hey, it is a part of you. I don’t get exhibitionist out of your blog (maybe that says something about me) though. He just didn’t get it. But overall he got that all the flawed parts equal something great.
Your family is wonderful too. I worry about you sometimes. And then I read a post like this and I realize that I don’t need to worry. Your family is amazing and you *are* a superwoman. Good luck, babe.
cate
wow…that’s harsh. i can’t imagine what it’s like to be under the microscope of people who have no idea what it’s like to be in your shoes. and i can’t believe that your blog would be held against you..that’s just ridiculous! seriously! if anyone should understand the need to get your thoughts and feelings out, it should be that Psych person!
friends of mine went through the same thing here in Ontario. they found information about how she liked to party when she was in college, and suddenly she was an alcoholic. just insane.
glad to hear that you were recommended for approval…i’m rootin’ for ya!