Sunday, July 30, 2017

LOVE ISLAND...

So here's another thing we foster carer's have to think about in 2017: It's 2017, not 1977, or 1987, or whatever the year was when we were kids. There have been massive changes and we have to roll with them. What got me thinking was this; one of our foster children has become a massive fan of...

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

EVEN FOSTER CHILDREN DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM 'PARENTS'

Fostering has many unexpected highs, but of course there are lows. One low that gets me every time - though it shouldn't - happened to me again this week. It's got to do with that thing when children reach a certain age and don't want to be seen with their parents. I think it's pretty common,...

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOSTERING PART 8

END OF A LONG DAY                 6.45pm Bathtime for Joe. I don’t ask him if he wants one or tell him that he’s getting one, instead I say “Do you want foam in your bath or not?” Gives him control. Being asked to make a decision distracts him...

Monday, July 17, 2017

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOSTERING PART 7

"WHY ARE YOU BEING SO KIND?"                 4.20pm It’s crunch time. We’re well over halfway through the Infinite Tolerance experiment. Little Joe has had a day without a single panic attack. This is down to us resolving not to thwart, disagree or...

Sunday, July 16, 2017

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOSTERING PART 6

A GAME OF SKRABBEL               1.50pm Sunday lunchtime. It should be Sunday lunchtime, but cooking would take me away from Little Joe and my personal quest which is to give him a day without a single panic attack. To recap; Joe gets very hot and bothered...

Saturday, July 15, 2017

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOSTERING PART 5

ON THE ROAD              11.05am Joe won’t be seen out front of our house with his foster mum if she’s wearing cargo shorts. Funny, he didn’t mind me wearing them to Halfords. Must be something to do with awareness of neighbours. Again; revealing about...

Friday, July 14, 2017

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOSTERING PART 4

THE CYCLE HELMET THING              8.35am Sunday morning. Joe wants to go for a bike ride. He's not allowed to ride on the road and I'm uncomfortable about him riding on the pavement, but we have a meadow near us which is great for the bike, providing it's...

Thursday, July 13, 2017

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOSTERING PART 3

                 MONSTERS        At 6.35am Joe leaves his den and goes upstairs to finish his latest 'monster' painting. He draws and paints a lot, which is great for a couple of reasons; one it's a good activity in itself,...