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

[PumpkinZulu]

Amongst all your preparation to care for the little girl, make sure you look after YOU too yeah? Parenting a two year old is bloody hard work, not to mention a special case like this. What sort of supports to you have for yourself? I'm especially thinking about the agoraphobia. Does fostering come with some form of foster carer support network, like other foster parents, counsellors etc?

[meow]

Does fostering come with some form of foster carer support network, like other foster parents, counsellors etc?

That's a good point. Many mothers get to join a mother's group at birth at it can be a great support and good way to get you and your little out of the house in the middle of crazy! Check out playgroups australia to find playgroups near you to join up and build up that network.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Yep, there's Foster Carers Association of WA, which have regular meetups and a helpline. We're also entitled to a weekend of respite every month, which my parents are getting ready for, so she'll know them. And DCP at the end of the phone at any time. For me, because I'm going through the public system, I have a community nurse I can call during business hours, and an emergency team outside of business hours. I've also found that if I'm doing something for someone else, the agoraphobia doesn't have as much impact as normal - I spent almost 48 hours at the hospital with my sister when she was in labour, in the same clothes, no makeup, no brush, ordering around midwives who weren't listening to her, holding her hands while she got her epidural, etc, and not a single panic attack. It's only when it's for me that I get trouble.

I also found out yesterday that the congregation that meets in the same church as us has an Aboriginal family who have 4 of their own children, and they foster a further 5! So as soon as we move back, we'll be making friends with them and picking their brains about culture in daily life, etc.

Plus, I've got BB!

PS - I didn't say it before, but I understand where y'all are coming from with your concern, and it's very sweet that you care so much about me, thank you

[nothing2lose]

We also care about the little girl don't forget!

When will you know? How soon after will she move in with you?