In the last post I was going on about what Christmas is like in fostering.
One thing I deliberately didn't mention was our new arrival; Romeo. It's been his first Christmas with us, he only arrived a couple of weeks ago.
He's settling in. That is to say he knows where everything is, our basic routines and a bit about what each of us are like as people.
We are getting to know him, and matching the...
Monday, December 28, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
CHRISTMAS 2015 AND FOSTERING
Christmas and fostering.
We could be here all day on this one.
The more Christmases I foster the more hard work it becomes because you learn stuff and build it in next year and end up with a bunch of practices the size of Encyclopaedia Brittanica.
And there's absolutely no guarantee it makes much difference; but you try, you try. Every year it throws up the same mystery for me and I suspect many...
Wednesday, December 09, 2015
GETTING TO KNOW THEM
Romeo is settling in well, has slept through the night since the first night hiccup. We keep seeing little flashes of life in his previous home coming out in his behaviour. I heard him say to the dog when no-one was around;
"Listen mister. You do exactly what I say when I say. Or else. And you know what 'Or else' means".
Chilling.
When you get a new arrival there are quite a few practical things...
Monday, December 07, 2015
NEW ARRIVAL AND THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
A new foster child has arrived, and knocks on our bedroom door at 1.45am first night.
First night is always huge in fostering for all parties.
The child is pretty much an unknown quantity; you have their notes plus titbits of information their social worker can offload, but there's a lot to learn.
Of course, from the child's point of view their foster parents are an unknown quantity too....
Tuesday, December 01, 2015
SETTLING IN
New arrivals (Romeo arrived yesterday, see "HE'S ARRIVED") are very quiet at their first teatime up at the table.
Not surprising, must be scary.
I have a thing where I don't load their plates for them, especially if it's a new child. I lay empty plates and put the food in the middle for them to help themselves. Having control over what's on your plate is a relief for looked-after children;...