His bags are packed and by the door

[bloodywhitecat]

All ready to go in the morning. After two and a half years, tomorrow will be his last morning here and tomorrow evening will be our last together. On Wednesday I will take him to his new family, stay a while then leave him to settle in, on Thursday I will pop back and spend an hour or two with him then on Friday I will go and say "goodbye" then drive home alone.

I hate this bit of fostering; each time one moves on, a bit of my heart goes too but this one has been extra special for a variety of reasons. I hope I have given him roots and wings. Roots to feel secure and wings to fly.

Oh bless you Despite your personal circumstances you have given your DFC a wonderful start in life which they wouldn't have had without you
Bittersweet I know, but be proud of the gifts you have given with your love and care

I've followed your posts. What an amazing woman you are💐💐💐

💕

You are extraordinary. Despite all the trauma you have been through you keep giving love to others. Your fosterlings will thrive thanks to your wonderful love and care. Sending you love and care too x

@bloodywhitecat I'm really happy that the other family are keeping in touch & you've been able to meet up since her move. ❤️

I hope this wee fella isn't going too far away & they keep in touch too 🤞🏼

Do you get much input as to whether the couple would be a good fit or not?

I think a week off, then getting the house ready for a new little one is perfect.

As much as I'd love ALL of them to be able to stay with you, I agree that if a lovely younger couple can be found, that's great. Not only because they'll be younger when the fosterlings are teen/adults but mainly because GOOD (let alone AMAZING) foster parents are in very short supply, so YOU can give lots of children a loving secure period of time when they most need it.

You're incredibly strong to be able to do this and change many children's lives. Even if some of them are too young to actively remember, it'll give them so many good things to help them through life

you're a ⭐️ & don't forget it ❤️💐

Our boy was with his foster carers for on and off three years. Came to us age six. He's 27 now and we are still in contact with the foster carers. They were super happy to hear about his A levels, degree, well paid jobs etc, all of which they are partly responsible for. He would never have achieved these things without their support and influence. Well done to all foster carers x

For however long you have had this little boy with you, you have given him a roof over his head, food in his stomach, clean clothes to wear and some compassion. Sounds normal but to him it will have been the whole world. You are brilliant!

From an adoptive mum, thank you. My son also came to me after 2 and a half years in foster care. Unlike you, his foster carers couldn't wait to get rid of him and haven't wanted to keep in touch. It breaks my heart and I wish all foster carers cared as much as you.

How are you doing Bloodywhitecat?

Thinking of you today

Why am I in tears 😭

Good luck, little man! I hope it all goes smoothly. You are such a wonderful, brave, giving person, BWC - thank you.

What! Why foster, that is so sad.

It is lovely to hear from you, I think of you every now & again, wondering how you are getting on.

So lovely that you were able to look after the fosterlings and then send them off to their forever homes.

I agree, that's abhorrent. I'd love to find a way that people who treat children in that way could be stopped from fostering but I do know that it goes on.

Today has been hard, I think we might be about to hit a bump in the road so I am contacting my lovely neighbour to see if they would be able to continue to keep an eye on my house and chickens in the event we need to prolong the bridging a bit longer (and if they can't I will call in a couple of favours from other friends).

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments, this year hasn't been the easiest but Mr BWC will definitely be looking down and smiling at what we have achieved so far. And a special thank you to all those who have adopted, it is lovely to hear that most of you are still in contact and where you are not it is not through choice.