LANGUAGE BARRIERS

In fostering we frequently encounter language barriers with our foster children, well, not barriers really, maybe just speed bumps.Not because they don't speak English - although come to think of it I once accepted three Afghan brothers who'd hitch-hiked across Europe and made it to Dover in the back...

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TREADING ON EGGSHELLS

Beginning to see how very very hard it is for families who have someone who has mental health issues. For one thing, everyone else gets neglected. Bill (my other half) and I talk about nothing else. We seem to think that somewhere, hidden away in all young Glen's pain, is a solution to his huge sadness....

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MENTAL HEALTH AND FOSTERING

We've been awaiting a new placement since Romeo went back to his disorganised mother. We worried about him for some time, his mum is all over the place, but it's so what he wanted. He's a tough nut, he'll be ok. The phone rang. "Would you consider taking a child who...?" The child isn't a child...

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FOSTER KIDS AND THE TIDINESS CHALLENGE

There's plenty of things that fostered children do that can upset you if you lapse and make the same expectations you make of your own children. We have to remember that we are professionals, dealing with someone else's child on a professional basis. Take tidiness. We think of tidiness as a simple...

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WHEN A FOSTER CHILD GOES...

A foster parent called Jojo posted a comment on Come On Phone, Ring! I'm guessing Jojo is a foster mum not a foster dad, forgive me if I'm wrong. I'm also guessing that 'Jojo' is a pseudonym so we are ok to talk. Jojo touches on the pleasant anxiety of waiting for a call about your next placement. But...

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