Mediation Day

Today is mediation day for the litte one’s case that we submitted our home study for 4 weeks ago. I don’t know when they will be doing the mediation or when we will hear anything about the results of the mediation. I just know it is supposed to happen today.


Our FAD worker has told us that she believes this mediation is for the case worker and ad litem, etc. to try and convince the birth mother (parents? I am not sure if there is a father involved or not) to voluntarily relinquish her (their) parental rights. If she chooses to do that, then it will not have to be decided via a court trial. The case will still have to go to court in December to “accept” the relinquishment, but it would not be a termination. The best way I can define the difference is a termination of parental rights by the judge (or jury if they went that way) is kind of the same as being fired from a job. Whereas a voluntary relinquishment is kind of the same thing as quitting. The record kind of follows you around when you are fired per se.

I don’t know if the other four (YES FOUR!) children she has lost were terminated or relinquished – so that may have an effect on her decision this morning. If she has a “clean record” of no terminations, she may be more willing to relinquish. If not, she may not. Or it may be that she just simply does not care either way.

The other thing is this mediation could be for something completely different or could be for a whole host of other things. As we are not this little one’s foster family (yet!) or her adoption placement family (yet!) it is really none of our business. I am hopeful that we will at least have some information of the results of this mediation just as a way to help us with our decision to keep moving forward (but really, that decision is already made. There isn’t a whole lot they could tell us that would make us change our minds now!).
Anyways, that is where we are today. As I don’t know when they are meeting, I would ask that you keep those prayers going all day today. Please pray for God’s will to be done in this case. Please pray that He speaks to this litte one’s mother (and father) to do the right thing for her. Please pray that the workers involved in the case can speak with compassion, wisdom and strength to help bring about the best outcome for her. Please pray that His hand be in these proceedings today and that no matter what happens – no matter how it may or may not affect Patrick and I and our family – His will be done so that what is absolutely best for this litte one is what happens. We simply couldn’t ask for anything more in this situation than that!
As soon as I hear anything I will certainly let you know!  God Bless!