I'm not a 100% expert on 'Life Story Work'. That's not to say I don't care for it, far from it, but I'm glad it's one that tends to get left to experts; psychologists and their ilk.
The thing for us foster parents is that our foster children ask us sudden, unexpected and hugely significant questions about their past that need some kind of answer. There's no trained expert in the kitchen except ourselves....
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Saturday, February 20, 2016
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUST
There's isn't one single word that's the most important word in fostering. But TRUST is right up there with the best of them.
Last night was a Friday night and our eldest looked-after had asked permission to stay up late on the PC as his best internet friend, who lives in Kansas wanted to play online a bit later than 4pm Wizard Of Oz time. He asked for midnight.
A discussion. No way us two old fogies...
Monday, February 15, 2016
TALKING ABOUT FOSTERING
We talk about our fostering too much, the other half and me.
I suspect most foster parents find themselves pre-occupied, maybe even a bit obsessed by their fostering.
To be absolutely honest I have no idea if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
On the good side, it means we're focussed on a difficult and demanding job. It means we are striving for the best outcome for the child, giving it our...
Thursday, February 11, 2016
UPDATE - NEW ARRIVAL
The little fellow has been here now long enough for us to feel he's family, what ten weeks or so.
Our first ever placement was a weekend respite lad, his regular foster parents had a wedding to go to, it was an overnighter and they wanted to give the happy couple their full on.
The boy was a bit angry about being farmed off, so we had some soothing to do, we learned a bucketload from Friday to Sunday,...
Saturday, February 06, 2016
THE SYMPATHY VOTE
If there's one little thing that stands our about children in care it's their need for sympathy.
Every two minutes sometimes.
You hear them in the hall, going to put their shoes on. There's a bump and you hear "Ow!'. Then, if you're not quick enough with the 'Are you okay' you get it again, louder:
'Ow! Ow! Ow!'
It's one of the easiest, most satisfying, most productive things in fostering. Giving...
Monday, February 01, 2016
UPDATE ON THE NEW ARRIVAL
Romeo had been with us, what, eight weeks nearly.
I'm getting my head around his schooling, which in fostering there's a lot of onus on us as foster parents to help and support. This doesn't mean you have to know how to do multiple fractions or conjugate irregular verbs, it's more about encouraging book learning in them.
Not easy. I've yet to meet a foster chid who had maximised their potential...