Had a wonderful visit from Blue Sky yesterday. It was our regular social worker plus her boss.
We all sat at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee and talked about…fostering.
Then we talks about fostering, followed by fostering, then went on to fostering.
You get my drift.
I can't fully express my gratitude for the support that's available in fostering. People think you're on your own, and nothing could be further from the truth.
The boss, who I'd only met once befoire, and only for 30 seconds, turned out to be (as I had expected), bright and kind. Those are the 2 traits my family hope for in people, and try to instill in our foster kids. We attempt it by being a good role model, and rewarding kindness and good thinking.
When I say "bright and kind" in reference to social workers I'm always impressed a) by their professionalism, their knowledge and precision of thought, and b) their humanity, empathy and powers of engagement.
If you are working with a foster child that has issues (who doesn't?), it's marvellous to sit down with people who, for want of a better way of putting it; "get it".
We talked about our transitioning child. Alicia is journeying from one gender to another.
I'm afraid that if the subject comes up when you're talking to people, they say something ill-informed such as "Well, it's all the rage now isn't it?"
Not your social workers. They have a dynamised understanding. They understand your foster kids, they understand you (the foster parent) and your family. They understand your background, your hopes and fears for your kids, and kids everywhere.
You're never, ever, alone in fostering.
I said as they left "Your visits really put a spring in my step"
And d'you know what one of them replied?
"Visiting you always puts a spring in our step too."
Fostering. Pure gold.
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