1st placement has gone home

[Bill2020]

Hi,

My first foster boy of 2 left to go home last week after caring for him for 6 months.

I am still highly upset, do anyone have any coping techniques or advice?

Everything in our home reminds me of him.

They font prepare you for the leaving part!!!!

presumably this was a short term placement while assessments were made. If so then it's a case of being clear at outset that you are in a "holding" role and being clear that he would probably be leaving after that period of time. Of course particularly as your first placement this will be difficult. Take pride that you have given him some much needed stability during an important time in his life. Keeping busy is best and the best way to keep busy is to welcome another child into your home asap ! In current circumstances the need is great.

Ahh Bill, it must be so hard.

You have done an amazing thing for that child and that stability will have a massive impact on his life.

I don't know if it's a done thing or not but how about a little scrap book or memory box to help? Writing down funny memories/photos etc?
Then in time you can have a flick through and writing down memories might be quite cathartic?

for you

id watch youtube videos of people going through the same thing, you arent the only one going through pain so you can take comfort in that

We had our first foster child for 18 months and it broke our hearts the day she left. We still miss her, but we know we did an amazing job looking after her and making her happy. Nothing prepares you for the leaving day and how you will feel. Just glad we have lots of photos and videos