(via rebeka21)
FINGERS
Wow. I am so totally pissed off right now. We went to get fingerprinted weeks ago for foster care/adoption. They dont do it at the police stations here, they make you go to an L1 certified place. Where did we go for our super secure fingerprinting? We went to a Days Inn in Belligham (we have to take a ferry to even get to the mainland), were STOOD UP at the last minute, then asked to drive another 1.5 hours to another location. Including extra childcare, missed work hours, ferry, gas mileage, the whole day cost over 500 dollars for us. Which we were FINE with. The second location where we were fingerprinted? A fucking POSTAL ANNEX behind a JACK IN THE BOX and somehow that was more secure than a Sheriff’s station? Whatever.
Now I have to go somewhere else, to get this done. I am trying SO hard not to take this personally. There really isnt anyone to talk to about this in the system yet since we arent officially foster parents yet. But honestly, its really souring the whole experience.
At the end of the form is says something about reimbursing us for gas mileage if we already have a child in our care. Already in our care? So some people have kids that havent been fingerprinted? Well thats awesome.
Way to go Washington State! You are almost totally pushing away some awesome foster parents. Pull it together and maybe stop wondering why people walk away from this process half way through.
Way before I thought about being a foster parent, I had and overheard many a conversation about “those parents on the subway”. What can you do? I never had an answer until I dug this up on the ACS website. I wish they had it in a more prominent place. If you ever try it, let us know how it worked out…I’ll turn it into its own post if you’re willing.
Don’t give the parent dirty looks or make snide remarks. That may increase the parent’s anger and make things worse. There are positive, supportive things you can say and do. For example, “It looks as if it’s been a long day for both of you.” “Children can wear you out, can’t they? Is there something I can do to help?” Strike up a conversation with the adult; see if you can direct the parent’s attention away from the child. Praise the child and parent at the first opportunity.
fosterhood
http://lostbirdfound.typepad.com/lost-bird-found/2010/06/fosterhood.html#comments
facebook is sort of great for finding out how your terrible ex isnt as awesome as you once thought he was, or wasnt ever really that awesome to begin with. im a bad person for even thinking that.
new kid
I feel like a total weirdo for being excited about my now imaginary but maybe one day real life new kid arriving at our house.
Somewhere, this is someone’s favorite movie. Thor made me watch this intro on Netflix instant and I couldnt stop it was so bad. Well, I did stop after 20 minutes. But seriously.
uh. if people are actually doing this, standing up and falling over…i say survival of the fittest. seriously. this cant be real.
Client: Hey, just one final question before I send the deposit. Do you use a PC or a MAC?
Me: I use a MAC.
Client: That is a problem. Do you have access to a PC? I am not a supporter of Apple products.
Me: No, I don’t have access to a PC, but this will have little to no effect on the work…
rebeka21 asked: It's quite the story, but you can read a lot of it on my tumblr. I was in foster care my entire freshman year of high school, and my mother did eventually get me (and my little brother back...we were both in foster care together). Unfortunately, she was never able to get over he alcoholism and she ended up relinquishing her parental rights and moving to Texas while my brother and I stayed in New York. My brother was adopted this past August and since I was older and never permanently adopted, I just bounced from guardian to guardian until I graduated high school and moved down south to attend the University of Georgia. I just finished my freshman year and so far, I don't have any regrets about anything that has happened to me. My adversity has made me beyond dedicated to success, and I know I have become a better person because of my life challenges.
I will totally go back and read your story. Thank you. We actually were interested in an older girl, 14. We were told that we shouldnt disrupt the birth order so we should adopt around Henry’s age 3. I find it a little upsetting, since I know that kids who are older than 6 dont really get a fair chance. Several of my friends were older when they entered into the system.
I dont know you at all, but Im proud of you for working so hard. I know it isnt easy to do, especially without a lot of family support.
I look forward to learning more about you.
