SO YOU THINK YOU'RE STRESSED?

Stress. I can't remember where I first heard the word used to describe emotional pressure. I remember from French lessons as a child, being taught you put the stress on this syllable or that. I remember something about a stress-fracture, something medical. Then suddenly the word was taken over to mean being leaned on by life. There used to be a phrase for people who could cope with all sorts...

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WHO IS MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR FOSTER CHILDRENS' PROGRESS

We've had a golden fortnight or so with one of our looked-afters. The more I foster the more I come to think that their progress, their repair - call it what you will - is ultimately down to them. Yes, we foster carers facilitate, meet their needs, offer advice (sparingly) and act as ...role models. Much over-used term role model, but I can't think of an alternative.  We keep our tempers,...

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THE GOLDFISH THING

One of our regular friends on this blog, Mooglet, has suggested we get a goldfish or a gerbil instead of the dog as asked for by Romeo. Good thinking. The goldfish thing reminded me of something that sticks in my craw about this country. Well, every country on earth actually - with the slight exception of China as far as I understand. The reason any mention of goldfish triggers this thought...

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WHEN THEY'VE BEEN WITH YOU SIX MONTHS...

Ordinary children go through their phases in fairly orderly fashion. Newborn baby. Baby. Toddler. Infant. Child. Adolescent. Pre-teen. Teenager. Youth. With each phase the relationship between the child and their parents moves to a more sophisticated level. During the first stages we supply the basic needs to survive, but as they move up our responsibilities graduate towards emotional needs and...

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RAISING AWARENESS OF RAISING AWARENESS

"RAISING AWARENESS..." of matters of concern has become something of a national pursuit. I have to admit I can't take everything in, I don't think many people can. We tend to get sucked in to something such as those unaccompanied Syrian refugee children when it swamps the TV news, but many issues sadly glide by largely unnoticed. In the last month I've already missed World Pillow Fight Day not to...

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SUMMER INDEPENDENCE

The seasons are a big deal for gardening fanatics. Bigger for foster parents. Cold weather means indoor stuff in the evenings and at weekends; everyone cramped together. Good weather means the outdoors beckons. When it's cold and wet we're constantly challenged to come up with things our foster children can do for recreation in the house. If I had a pound for every time I heard "I'm bored". But...

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