Continued.......

Several months later I was at a bio visit with the above caseworker and case aide, we started talking (since bio’s were late) and we ended up talking for two hours. The caseworker stated that it is a change working with a foster parent like me. I asked, “What do you mean?” He explained that with me he did not have to worry about the child. When I was asked to do something or take care of things, I did. He felt that I truly wanted what was best for the child. Then he said, “You are an easy foster parent, in a good way.”

After talking with them I realized that everyone gets involved in foster parenting to different degrees. I personally do what I normally do and jump right whole heartedly ready to deal with what comes up. There are a few (probably more than I want to realize) foster parents that are not in this for the children. Meaning I have known children that have gone without celebrating their birthday, foster parents that do not show up or involved in the ARD process at the child’s school, I know of a child that graduated and the foster parents did not come, and the list can go on and on.

So, I guess in reality the caseworkers have just as much reason to be guarded with foster parents. You have to show them you truly care for the child. Just as with the foster parents that care, the caseworkers have to earn our trust that they are doing that is best for the child not what is the easiest or less amount of paperwork. Remember this will not happen over night.

Continued.......

"It requires less character to discover the faults of others than is does to tolerate them."
J. Petit Senn