We have a meeting with our social worker again tomorrow morning about the fostering. With her will be the children's social worker as we move one step closer to being a 'party of 5'. The whole process has been going on for almost a year now and it looks like we will have progressive meetings with the two children through the next 6 weeks or so and them finally moving in with us at the end of June early July. We're lucky in the way it's all happening as it's not been an emergency situation where children are pulled from an unsafe environment and just landed with us. They've been in short term care, so now the long term care (i.e. us) can be planned properly.
The social worker had a look at the 2 new rooms we have done up for the kids. They'll have 1 each, which will be a big bonus for them as they have been sharing. It must be incredibly scary for these kids. Being landed with complete strangers. The good thing for them will also be that they will be closer to their other relatives when they come to us, right now they're a bit away and don't get to see them much.
So in the immediate future I have to hand in my notice to work, which is hard. I've worked in construction for years and absolutely love it but I want to do the fostering thing much more. I will so miss all the lads and their filthy sexist jokes, really, They're a great bunch. I find their sexism quite sweet! Construction is such a tough, honest days work, I have so much respect for those on the ground. I worked in a drawing office for years and that was so full of shite. Drawings mean absolutely nothing compared to what actually happens when concrete, timber, blood, sweat and tears come together on a site.
Anyway better get back to work....
15 comments:
Aisling, That is amazing. You are fantastic to foster. What made you decide to do it? I've often looked at the ads for the fostering services in the sunday papers but I'd never thought I'd be able to do it. You are very brave! Is your daughter looking forward to having siblings in the house? How long are you going to foster the children for, or do know? I am so impressed and feel so guilty for bitching about my little ones! I hope you are gonna keep posting about the fostering, and it takes about a month to adjust to life as a stay at home mom. I found that when I gave up work in November, but afer that i was ok, just look at it as a job and have a routine.
You and your hubby are an incredible team! Those kids are real fortunate. How old are they? Hope you choose not to teach them to swear like an ironworker!
MW you don't bitch about your kids at all, I love your blog, it's very honest family life! We have wanted to do fostering for years and have made lots of changes to allow us to do it. Usual reasons really, we have a good life why not share it with others who otherwise wouldn't have a great life? We really want them to be as much a part of our family as any one of us. Thanks for the advice on the stay-at-home thing, it's the kinda thing I was wondering. A lot of people think I will find it hard at home cos they know what I'm like at work but I'm really looking forwad to it! About a month you say? I'm working on a routine already!
Eric, ironworkers are all good in my book! (These kids could probably teach them a swear or two!) They are 5 and 11 and they will be with us as long as they need a home which looks indefinite. Thanks for your kind words!
i think you just did a whole analogy there without realising it. By going in to fostering you're moving out of the drawing room!!!
ooh spoon that kinda makes me sound intelligent? then again maybe not.....
. . . when concrete, timber, blood, sweat and tears come together on a site . . .
And rashers. Don't forget rashers.
Hi Bock, I've been campaigning against rashers for years! The builders don't want them, it's just all that's on offer on most sites! (and as for the tears, I've been responsible for most of them):-)
I do bitch, but it's healthy, It means I can be a good mum with the kids and then vent on the blog. I really think you are great, I'm assuming that the children are siblings and you taking them together means they'll be together as opposed to being separated.It's such a wonderful gift you are giving those kiddie winks but I'm sure they'll give you some wonderful gifts too over the time they spend with you. It took me about a month to adjust alright but I still miss work sometimes, the gossip and fun and also the recognition of society, It would be great if staying at home was as valid a choice as staying at home. I'm lucky my partner is not mean so I don't feel bad not earning,except when I buy things just for me, but he spoils me really.
You luck thing MW! Being spoilt! Yes the children are siblings and I'm sure we'll get as much out of it as they will! I'm hoping we'll all be happy.
With my husband and I it was never a case of "my money and his money" so not earning won't be an issue, although you do get paid for fostering. The thing is I love my job and my husband doesn't love his, it would be a better arrangement if I stayed working and he did the fostering! Not gonna happen though!
The problem is usually men earn more than women, so it's difficult for the man to give up and not cause finacial problems, I know loads of friends where the dad would love to stay at home,at least half the time but there isn't enough support in place in Ireland for parents, parental leave is a joke, who can afford to take unpaid leave? It's no wonder terrible things happen, like the poor girl in Latterkenny and her daughter happens or that family last month, we just isolate families( well in my opinion anyway). We work on an our money system too, never did the dividing down the middle thing a lot of people do! Maybe things will change in the future but it'll be too late for me!
I bow to your utter altruism. We all agree with the principle but not many dare to do it in practice. That's a marathon of a completely different order of magnitude. I think all that training will come in handy. Good luck to you all (and go easy on the muffins).
MW that's all so true, and some of your own blogposts have made me think about how women are making each other feel inadequate, supermoms 'n' all that. Men don't care who has the cleanest windows or the trendiest kids clothes.
Mick thanks for your words! This is something we've been preparing for more than any marathon! It will be difficult to train for Jungfrau with these kids off school for the summer but who cares. Priorities eh?!
We are our own worst enemies, you are right we are worried about the little things, things the blokes don't notice! I wore hand me downs as a kid and my kids do now but apparently that's not done anymore. But it makes it lovely when they get something new. We live in a tiny house and our kids will have to share, we don't have a playroom and so house is generally a mess and we are on top of each other but we are happy. (kids don't understand why we don't have the things their friends have) When I stayed at home with kids it was gonna affect the material side of things, only one car, old banger, small house etc. When I went back to work last year (before the immaculate conception!) it was to help with things like car and kids education, we had our first family holiday abroad in years. maybe we'll regret the decision in years to come but sure I just have to take the chance that kids will be happy with me here while they are little!
How exciting for you all!! I think you're great!!
Your photos of the wedding are STUNNING. Love the dress. What happened to the other one you posted a photo of?
Enjoy your week off!!
I couldn't fit into it Ellen! The zip barely closed and if it did I couldn't breathe!
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