I'm Going to be a BIG!

I had my interview today at my local Big Brothers Big Sisters to sign up as a Big Sister, aka BIG, and if I pass their sceening committee, I'll be eventually paired with a Little. I requested a girl older than 10 and she must either like cats or animals in generally, because I won't stand for being mean or abusive to my felines or animals in general. I also said I'd not want someone who has a juvenile criminal record for stealing or for violence. While I do want to help kids/teens with their problems as a therapist, I don't want to deal with stealing or violence with someone who will be coming to my house and interacting with in meaningful ways.

I forgot to mention that I'd prefer not to be paired with a vegetarian, because questing for the perfect cheeseburger is an integral part of my existance! Just kidding! I have entertained numerous times in my life of going veggie, but between my gut not processing veggies or fruits (especially raw ones)and the fact that I love the taste of meat, my attempts and experiments to be vegetarian have never lasted very long.

Above all, I would take an active interest in my Little's diet and make sure she eats a well-balanced meal while in my company, even if that means tofu and Not-Dogs and not questing for the perfect cheeseburger with her.

I had to answer what my sexual orientation or preference is, and what my religious inclination is, so that potential parents can approve or disapprove of me. We all know that if I said Wiccan lesbian that I'd be trying to turn their daughter into a feminist! LOL! OK, perhaps that isn't a laughing matter, and I should be more respectful. Sorry. I know that life doesn't often reciprocate, meaning if a Wiccan lesbian were to say she didn't want a heterosexual Christian because she feared they would turn her daughter into a provincial conservative people would say that the Wiccan lesbian is intolerant. Similar things would go for the atheist, too. Anyone who isn't the status quo/majority is suspect. I commented that I'd like to be listed as "spiritual". If the parents care that much about my beliefs, they can ask specifically.

I'm going to say something now that could piss someone off, but here goes (so be warned!). I can understand that the organization is looking for people who aren't pedophiles, druggies, criminals, and have safe driving histories. After all, I will be trusted with the mentoring of a child. I get the feeling that some of the parents wouldn't be able to become a Big because they would fail in more than one area. As someone once said, they license you to drive a car, to even be able to cut and perm another person's hair, but no such thing to become a parent. I've heard the rigorous screening process they put adoptive parents through, yet no one screens people who go about it naturally. I think that is too much like having 8 hot dogs to a package and hot dog buns come in 12 packs: it doesn't make any logical sense, and to try to understand it only makes your head spin.

Well, as I digress further into dangerous waters, I'll wrap this up by stating I realize that there would be too many issues to debate about how to screen people for natural parenthood, and how would you keep them from procreating anyway without taking away their basic rights to procreate, etc? Many people grow up with dysfunctional parents and turn out to be functional, and so on and so on. Yet, I still think that I can pose the question of the seeming illogical nature to how the system works.

On a much more positive, less dangerous water note, I am looking forward to be paired. I've already got some "free and fun" activities to test and see if my Little will enjoy doing them. On the top of the list: worship the felines! Next on the list: swoon over the felines! Third on the list: Teach her to crochet and love yarn! Fourth: Kitty love! and so on...