Thoughts on fostering

While I think we are saner people this time around, I wonder if every placement will bring my privilege to the forefront.  I wonder if I have anything to offer BB, what do I know of hardship?  Will I just force BB to try to live up to middle class standards?  This time around I have been thinking about much we aren't giving BB that we gave before - partially out of our financial situation currently, but also out of understanding that overwhelming a child with too much new at one time. 

Tonight, we celebrated BB's birthday at a wings place because he told us his favorite food was wings.  We went and during the meal we gave him a small gift card and he was able to get anything off the menu.  They brought ice cream - as their birthday token.  I forget that going out to eat can be a new experience.  Seriously, the idea that we needed to wait for a table with a buzzer in my pocket seemed crazy to BB - and it sorta is but that is what we have learned to do, right?  One time BB got up for what I assumed was a trip to the bathroom but no, BB went to the other side of the place and tapped the shoulder of the waitress and asked her to fill up BB's drink.  BB really didn't know that while not wrong, its not expected that one does that. 

Fostering brings up so many questions for me.  How do I affirm the child's culture and family, while helping the child think about where to go from here?  Am I just turning kid's into middle class white folks?  That probably isn't helpful.  I know that the way we do things in my house isn't the only way, but in my house there are some rules that are probably more class tied that morally tied.

Tonight, we had a conversation about the rules of the house.  We waited to give the rules several weeks during the first foster family we had, and we decided to keep it.  We get to know each other - what will be our issues with said child and can make specific agreements for that child.  We also ask for rules from the child how they might want us to act as parents.  (I used to use this in my parenting class back in Colorado.)  These are BB's:

1. To be understanding of BB
2. To talk to BB like a real person. 
3. Listen to BB when he needs to.
4. Respect BB at all times.
5. Don't dump too much on BB at one time.

Beautiful!  I hope I can live up to these, as I signed a paper saying I would.

Goals for 2013

I would like to intentionally write more. (Thanks Dana and Callie for helping my get back my writing bug.)

I would like to make sure I am intentional about what I do.

Where I was

 Jan 1, 2012 -

I don't remember exactly but I was three days from finding out I was pregnant...having a hard time being a mom to the kids in my home, and feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Hashtag

If 2012 was a hastag what would it be?

#godshapingamomoutofme

Giving up (stuff)

What did I give up?

Tomatoes - that was not fun - what's summer without a good tomato?
The need to not delegate - oh, the gift of pregnancy

Who surprised you?

Jade, Chris, Jim, Mattie, Benjamin R and my Benjamin
Dr. MacDuff, Oreon, Naomi, Eileen, and Nadia

Time spent

Where did I spend my time?
Oh, at work....for sure.  But I lot of time on maternity leave was spent at home too.

I made...

Obviously, a baby…

But less obviously, breakfasts for 75 people, probably 30 or so loaves of bread, binders of information, more binders, a new respect for a couple of people,  a reflection room at work, reservations, flavored water, a Pinterest account, soup, money.

I am so proud of my sister's new brick and mortar store after years of building a customer base at farmer's markets - that we made this meme for the opening.  I am planning for Benjamin's first ever cake experience to be at the store - not anytime soon! 

Gifts, given and recieved

I was given the gift of learning that I can’t do it all, a limit, and people to lovingly help remind me of that.

I was given the gift of loving enough to let go.

I was given the gift of Benjamin – and the gift of seeing people care for him that I never would have imagined, the gift of reinvention of family through him, and the financial gift of maternity leave from work.

I gave the gift of life – that sounds high and mighty – but I did.

I gave a gift of a Pandora charm to someone who really really wanted it as a token of my utmost appreciation for her.

I gave the gift of listening to several and gave hugs to others.