We may be getting a little girl.....

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

For some reason I didn't notice that this thread had been added to, I just came in to update and saw the extra responses. Forshelby, that's so sweet, and you're right, I would! Thank you

LS, I'm not sure what you're referring to in particular, our recent separation, our housing situation, or my mental state. All worthwhile objections. The short answer is - that's up to DCP to decide, and I won't hide anything from them.

As for the long answer - we've just refinanced our mortgage and are now financially able to live in our own home easily; we're just waiting on the current lease to expire. Mental state - I've spoken to my psychiatrist about this, and she believes, as do I, that having someone to care for, someone completely dependent on me, will actually help me by taking me out of my own mind and at it's very basic level, providing one big honkin' distraction. Of course, there's no way to know until it happens, and DCP remains in constant contact anyway, so if there was a problem, it wouldn't be a problem for long. And our recent separation - I don't know how that's gonna go with DCP, we'll hafta find out the hard way.

----------------------------

UPDATE

We've got our first home assessment and interview tomorrow evening, and I'm so excited!

The family of the little girl have asked for her to be moved to us, as the family she's with - who are actually NOT biological family, they are just emergency carers - are not able to keep her. DCP have said they can't guarantee anything yet until they've done the assessment, but the family are adamant. Once they found out we were unable to have our own children, they actually wanted us to have her more, because they reckon she will 'fix' us. Apparently that's what happens in Aboriginal culture, a childless couple will be given someone elses child, and then they can have their own We'll see! But they are adamant, and they're all writing letters with the help of their social worker to DCP. Even though we're not blood family, they call us family, and they're excited to be able to see bub a couple times a year, whereas they haven't tried while she's been in care so far. It's an interesting dynamic, one that I don't quite understand, but if they're happy, I'm happy!

We've cleared out the room she'll have here, sanded the walls, and removed the blinds. Tonight I'll be ripping up the carpet which is approximately 400 years old, and we'll be painting and recarpeting. I'm very aware that we may not end up with her, but we're still going through the whole process and will foster a child, if the dept will let us. So we're decorating the room fairly neutrally, and I'm making some curtains with an animal print on them, so it's suitable for either gender.

My parents and another of my sisters (qualified child carer) have also expressed interest in being respite carers, not just for our child but for others as well. Parents can devote 2 weekends a month, and I think my sister is happy to do it 3 weekends a month. So they're all going through the process too!

[ButterflyForever]

I hope things are moving along nicely for you.
I am a carer through Docs and am caring for my granddaughter and her half brother not related to me.
My case the placemement assessment although thorough, was rushed through as the children needed to be removed and placed urgently.
Any questions, don't hesitate to contact me,
Crossing everything for you,

[Mummato2]

LS, I'm not sure what you're referring to in particular, our recent separation, our housing situation, or my mental state. All worthwhile objections. The short answer is - that's up to DCP to decide, and I won't hide anything from them.

I had a similar thought to LS, from the perspective of the mental health hurdles you've experienced as well as the issues with your DH (separation, housing etc). I worry for you and the impact a full time little one has. Your life changes dramatically and sometimes it can be a huge shock. My advice is have a good village around you and always have your mental health team at your fingertips to debrief. It sounds like your mum and sister are doing just that.

That said, I am happy for you to have this to look forward to. I'm pleased you're not "hiding" anything from DCP, although they're so thorough you wouldn't have to worry. When they decide to register you as a foster carer it's because they've gone through your application with a fine tooth comb and are happy you have met the requirements to provide a safe and stable environment for children.

I have a close friend with 4 foster kids (she has PCOS and can't have her own, ivf etc attempted for years). She is a beautiful foster mum. the first bubby she got left her care after a year and she took it hard. Since then, she's learnt to let go, but what she provides these children is nothing short of a true blessing. They are sincerely loved and treated as her own.

Good luck with tomorrow - I'll be thinking of you both and waiting for the update!