It's hard work being a child. Most adults think children have got it easy, funny how grown-ups have such a pink-tinted memory of what they went through themselves.
I heard about a child who came home from school crying, ran upstairs to their bedroom, and lay on the bed sobbing. Mum asked what was up. The child said they'd been told by a teacher that these were the happiest days of their life.
Then...
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Think Time
Children are forever asking questions where we have to stop and think carefully how to answer.
We have just had 7 days abroad, we took one of our foster children, the holiday was timed to coincide with the other two having a joint spell away from us.
I'm sitting at the table on an apartment balcony killing half an hour while partner traipses to the Supermercado for bread and milk, playing...
Saturday, August 10, 2013
When They Go Home
Two went yesterday.
It's always a strange time in the house, depending on the circumstances.
It's six in the morning I'm writing this, just been downstairs to make a cup of tea. Their bedroom door is half open, the beds made, silent and empty.
A fostering friend had a ten year old boy who was severely emotionally damaged. A very angry mixed up child, physically huge for his age. He'd had four placements...
Monday, August 05, 2013
Rough and Tumble
Play is so important to all of us. We are never happier than when we're off the clock and having a laugh, browsing the internet, watching some rubbish telly, or best of all joshing with friends. The cut and thrust of the gabbling is not just about laughter, it's about strengthening important bonds, even the slightly competitive edge to the yak is good for camaraderie.
This is ten times more true...
Friday, August 02, 2013
GUILT AND FOSTERING
A NICE MAN
I know a man whose son hasn't spoken to him for 15 years, must be awful.
Especially as the son lives with them.
He's a nice man, as far as I can tell, he's the sort who'll always toot and wave as he drives past. He's the man who flits around at parties with a bottle of red in one hand and white in the other, refreshing people's glasses. Then he disappears into the kitchen to help keep...