My foster child is leaving this Friday, sob

[Flower3554]

Hi everyone, We have been foster carers for 19 years and at the moment specialise in newborns who are going for adoption. Our latest placement has been with us since he was 4 days old and he is now 6 months old. He is the most darling little boy and I'm going to miss him so much. He is currently into introductions to his new family and these are going really well. After visiting him at our house for the last few days today I had to take him to their home and leave him with them until bedtime when they will bring him home and do his bedtime routine.
I can't explain what it felt like coming back to my empty home but I'm dreading Friday when he leaves for good.

Thinking of you this morning Flower xxxxx

Just lost for words, what an amazing woman you are. To be so selfless is such a rare quality and my heart goes out to you this morning.

I suppose you have to keep on thinking about the good you have done, let the little one enjoy his new family and look forward to the new arrival in a week or so.

I am in total awe.

Thinking of you this morning.

How lovely you sound Flower.
My bil and his wife have just adopted a lovely little girl.
I know that they have been very upset for the foster parents who,like you,have had this little girl for a long time.

Bless you.The world needs more people like you.

Just seen this flower and will be thinking of you. What a special and brave woman you are. Wishing you all the best and hoping that baby boy's new family will keep in contact with you. You are doing a wonderful thing. xxx

Just to let you all know, my little one left at 9am as expected.(sad) I had a lovely evening with him and he slept from 10.30pm until 6am this morning. Little angel!!! This morning has been difficult as you can imagine especially giving him his last bottle then dressing him for his trip to his new home.
I texted his new Mummy and Daddy and said "Good morning Mummy and Daddy can you come and get me now cos she is making my hair all wet crying on me" Bless them they were here in 20 minutes, I'm not convinced they hadn't just camped outside my front door for the night. They have been so lovely I think I will miss them as well as the baby. Once again thank you for all your kind wishes. xxx

How lovely that he has been given such a good start in life by you and is going to great parents. I know someone who used to foster too and she used to miss them. She loved hearing from them either through the parents or from the child themselves when they were old enough.

I can hardly believe there are people generous enough to put themselves through this. You're incredible.

I hope you're OK.

what a lovely thought your little text was

np
x

Oh Flower. What a fantastic thing you do.
Hope you can start looking forward to your new arrival soon.

Thinking of you Flower, you are a wonderful person. Good luck with the next baby.X

Just wanted to say-what a strong wonderful caring person you are. You have given this little boy such a brilliant start in life, and how you have done all of this knowing one day you would have to give him up is amazing.
It's people like you who make the world a better place, Thank you

You are incredible, truly wonderful!

I'll be thinking of you this evening.

Your message to the parents sent shivers through me. Hope you are not feeling too sad - although I am sure your are.

I know I couldn't do this but I am so happy there are people in this world like you.

Thinking of you flowers,you are doing a truly wonderful thing

My heart just burst! You are a star, I could never do what you do and am I full of admiration. I can't imagine how his new mum and dad must be feeling today with their dreams coming true.

Ooh, I'm filling up!

I have tears dripping down my face reading this thread. You are an amazing person to put yourself through this time and time again. Thank god for people like you. Take care of yourself over the coming days You have given this little one (and no doubt countless others) a fantastic stable and loving start to life which will stand them in good stead to develop loving relationships with their adoptive parents and others in their lives. You should be very proud of yourself. Now I'm off to find a tissue .

your text was one of the most amazing things I have ever read the most selfless full of love message ever what a lovely way to start the day for those new parents -- you really are a star and the sort of person who get knighthoods etc rather than those over paid over egotistical people who are just doing their jobs... you are an inspiration

I'm crying too. I'm thinking of the heartache his new Mummy and Daddy have been through (probably) trying to have children of their own and how happy you have helped to make them. We are all wishing him and them and especially you a very very happy future.

What a lovely lovely person you are. You have restored my faith in human nature. And what a fortunate little boy to have been with you for such an important part of his life.

So many of you have said you couldn't do what I do but I think of this grief as the price I pay for doing something I adore. To have the joy of caring for a newborn (without the stitches or piles) is well worth this sadness. While today and very probably a lot of days to come, has been so utterley miserable, I wouldn't have missed caring for this little one and the 77 little ones before him for all the tea in China. If anyone is considering fostering please don't let my sadness put you off.
Incidentally the brand new Mummy has texted me to say they have just had their first dirty nappy, or code brown as I like to call them. Somehow over the week they spent getting to know the baby they always seemed to arrive after the event.

Hi flower, I fostered for 11 years and did 3 adoptions. It was such a mix of emotions especially the 2 babies I did, one I had from 7 months old unitl he was 2. His adoptive family were lovely and the handover period went really well. If it goes well it's a testament to how well you are doing your job imo.

Heartwarming, yet heartbreaking is what I useed to say. I hope all continues to go well for your baby and his future is everything you hope it will be.

Hi Queeneagle, one of my best experiences has been caring for a two day old little boy until he was 3years old. Then out of the blue my oldest daughter decided she wanted to adopt him and he is now my Grandson aged 8 years old. Amazingly he took this giant step in his stride and called me Nanna without hesitation.