Question for those who foster

[jofeb04]

Hi,

Between being born and being placed with my parents (am adopted), I was with someone for about four months as a young baby.

I have been reading my adoption notes, and have come accross the woman's address and name etc.

As I am searching for my biological mother, I am thinking of writing to my foster carer to see if she can remember me as a baby and what I was like etc.

What would your reaction be if you received a letter? BTW, it was 26years ago.

Thanks

Hi, if the letter came to me I'd help all I could.

It is a long time ago though and peoples memories fade, it may be that they won't remember the details. They may have moved house even.

Would contacting social services from that area not be an option?

I'd be thrilled. I love to hear news of my former foslings. Not been fostering 26 years yet but I can't imagine forgetting any of them.

I wouldn't be able to help with practical details of birth family etc. but I'd certainly be able to find some kind of a memory about something, and probably a photo or two too - mind you I have a digital camera and take pics most days, something I didn't do when I started but do now, especially if I know a child is going to be moving to adopters.

I certainly wouldn't ignore a letter, but I have moved house in the past 10 years and your fostercarer may well have done too.

As a foster carer, I'd be delighted to hear from a child 26 years later! (Even if it was a difficult placement with an older child, I'd still feel that way, but most definitely with a baby.) Records weren't kept the way they are now then, but memories and photos may be. If a foster carer has moved, it's always worth getting in touch with their neighbours as they may know where they went to. Try electoral roll for the surname too.

I'd love to know how this one turned out...

Hi Jofeb I would love to know how you got on with this. I have been a foster parent for 18 years and love for the children I have cared for to get in touch. I also was in care as a child and found my favourite carer after 30 years and am still in touch with her. I heard my foster dad had died and went to his funeral expecting to just fade in to the background at the end and not be noticed. How wrong I was as soon as she saw me she shouted my name to all of her children and they all gathered round and treated me like a long lost daughter. Though she never had any photos it was lovely being in her life again and she did fill in lots of gaps for me. In fact I am in touch with her children as well through face book. I hope it all works out for you. God Bless