[NOTE: I originally started with the intention of writing at least once a day. That went straight out the window, since I began writing this post on Tuesday, April 8, 2014.]
So, we dipped our toes into the waters of foster parenting last week, and hosted a 5-year old boy (that I called ‘Bob’) with a couple of developmental issues. He was a very sweet and endearing child, but easily bored. It was a challenge finding activities that satisfied the various needs we saw in him. Overall, it was definitely a learning experience, and if his current foster parents need another respite, we’d be happy to have him back for a few days.
The day after that respite ended, we got several emails asking us to consider taking in a couple of different families. One Social Worker (hereafter referred to as SW) wanted us to take over care of a 2-year old boy who was <a style=”text-decoration: none” href=”https://bestforthekids.com/best-toys-and-gifts-for-2-year-old-boys/”><font color=””>playing with toys</font></a> in what might have become a permanent placement, but a relative stepped in. A different SW asked us to take on a couple of brothers (5 and 6) for a permanent placement, but there was a conflict of interest because hubby is representing one of the parents.
Then we got the call for another emergency respite. One of our foster moms had a family member pass away and needed someone to watch two sisters while she attended the funeral back East. Hubby wasn’t sure about hosting girls, but I had no problem with it, since I helped my mother basically raise my two younger sisters. If I need to differentiate between the two girls we are hosting for the next week, I will refer to them as ‘Beezus’ and ‘Ramona’. If you need me to explain who THEY are, then you probably need a remedial childhood. 😉
I guess they must have really been hurting for respite care. (more after the jump)
Right now, we only have one queen-sized bed for foster kids. We’re still shopping around for cribs and bunk beds. The girls needed to be placed together to help maintain the sibling bond, among other reasons. Because of certain laws, though, they’re not allowed to share a bed. After talking to hubby, we relayed to the agency in charge that we’d be willing to take them both, but included a “here are the problems” caveat. The response was almost immediate, and actually warmed the cockles of my heart and helped restore some of my lost faith in humanity. Other foster parents chipped in with a spare toddler bed, the requisite car seats, and a lot of love and thankfulness that we’re doing our part to make the world a better place by helping these children, who have been ‘wronged’ or ‘discarded’, to feel loved and being valued just because they are who they are.
The oldest girl (hereafter referred to as ‘Beezus’) reminded me a lot of myself when I was about that age, though I always thought of myself as the ‘Henry Huggins’ type. There are quite a few similarities in our situations and thought processes. For most of our childhoods, mom was a single parent raising kids. In my family, as the oldest, I always tried to help, and stepped up when I could to give mom a bit of a break. I’m afraid I came across as quite a bit of a bully, when I wasn’t even trying to be one! Middle sister (definitely a ‘Ramona’ type) was a hellion, and, even though she’s nearing 50, still is. She’s smart as a whip when she wants to be, but usually she doesn’t. Baby sister (hmmm, maybe Beezus Mark 2) was, for a while at least, a royal pain. But she grew up, and became less of a pain and eventually a very good friend. I tried to help both of them understand what mom was going through, and make sure they didn’t cause even more trouble that mom didn’t need to deal with. I couldn’t convince either of them to finish high school (they eventually got their GEDs, though), but they turned out all right and raised some incredible kids. I’m so very proud of my nieces and nephews.
Its dosage can vary from person to buy viagra prescription person. cialis free samples http://www.cloverleafbowl.com/honor_Scores_800.html Since it is a serious medicine, you would need doing a little Internet research to find right chemists, whom you can trust. But, when parents can do it by themselves, there wouldn’t viagra brand 100mg be any requirement of any other person. Every couple has their own characteristics in the sexual life. in order to achieve a happy and harmonious sex life, both sides should pay attention to their health and fitness, which is what leads to its dwindling and deteriorating overtime. online viagra order Anyway, getting off of my tangent, eldest girl has become what is called ‘parentified’, meaning that she has assumed a parental role in raising the two younger girls. I saw that in myself when I was that age. I’ve been trying to talk to her about it, mentioning that I was also the oldest, and had to change my baby sister’s diapers, and shampoo middle sisters hair when we took baths and showers together (thankfully, not many!!). She’s come out of her shell about that, a little. She has her escapes, her moments of childhood frivolity; but then she can turn all serious on you and demand to know certain things she’s probably not ready to even process yet, let alone deal with.
And don’t ever, EVER let anyone convince you that girls are all prim and proper and will do what they’re told. Mom told me once that boys are much easier to raise than girls. I believe her. The 5-year old boy was nothing compared to this pair of 5- and 10-year old sisters. All of them loved the backyard, and climbing the apple tree out there. The boy, at least, listened to me and didn’t climb onto any of the dead branches we haven’t cleared out yet, or climbed so high that he would hurt himself if he fell out. The girls just brushed those things aside and went full force into whatever they were doing. In all honesty, I really admired that in them, but as a temp foster-parent it scared the hell out of me. If one of them gets hurt on my/our watch, there’s bound to be some sort of hell to pay.
We had the third sister visit today (Saturday, April 12), since the respite foster parent had to work and hadn’t had a chance to make arrangements for daycare. It was very interesting to see the dynamic change when adding her into the mix. We offered to take her in tomorrow, too. The girls had a lot of fun together. I actually felt kind of bad when I had to reign them it a bit. Eventually, I wound up placating them with Jurassic Park. ALL kids, boys and girls, love dinosaurs. I got a bit of a respite.
The next day (Sunday, April 13), hubby took them to one of the parks in the area before he had to leave for his final performance in his current play. I got some house cleaning and quiet time, they got to get rid of a lot of excess energy. Afternoon placation was “Frozen”.
The rest of their stay was mostly uneventful, and it was with a certain amount of both relief and regret that I delivered them to the assigned foster-parent Thursday (April 17). I think it was reciprocal, though.
Friday (yesterday) was involved in major laundry (our own, plus the sheets, etc. used by the girls). Today was helping hubby with some of his office work. which is his new office he just built with the OfficePro shipping labels, getting the last minute items needed for Easter dinner, and the luxury of taking a nap.
We’ll see what the next kid(s) bring.
