Tony and I have, since last year, been going through the process of being assessed for Fostering. We're nearing the end of that process now, we have a day long course on Saturday, another half day next Wednesday and then some more meetings with our Link Social Worker. The assessment process has been really good. We were warned it may get very personal or emotional or even upsetting but so far we have both found it quite a good experience.
I suppose it may have been an easier experience for us because we already have some familiarity of the fostering process.
To be honest I'm really looking forward to it. We have a good life and can afford to share it with children who may not be having such a great life at home. I love the idea of our family becoming bigger also. But mostly it's genuinely for altruistic reasons. I hope any children we encounter end up happy and stable. We would hope for us that these children would stay with us forever but if it turns out that their homes are suitable to return to, we hope that that is a happy outcome for them too.
We are both expecting our lives to change completely. In prepearation for this, we have encountered lots of change already. We are trying to get the house in order, paving the garden, decorating rooms, hanging doors, selling the beloved beetle in favour of a family sized 7 seater jeep and not least of all, me giving up work.
What effect it will all have on Grace is yet to be seen but she has experience of fostered children also and she so far seems laid back about the whole thing. I think she is looking forward to maybe having some 'brothers and sisters'.
The plan now is to give up work at the end of April. Hopefully I still have time to keep up some blogging every now and then, but particularly time for reading all my favourites.
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2 comments:
Good luck with the fostering.
When i was in college i did my research thesis on 'Children who Foster', i.e. your own child. If you fancy a copy of it i would be happy to send you on one.
Thank you Sandy that's very kind of you to offer. I will try send you a mail so I can send you a stamped addressed envelope. It's a great idea to consider them seperately as they are often left out of the assessment process and assumed to be on board with everything! In reality they are often the most affected member of the foster family, especially an only child like ours! Our link social worker who is lovely reckons they should have a course for them as they do for the parents. I would be very grateful to read your thesis and thank you again!
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