We’ve fallen in love with our newest foster child
Gary and Maxine* felt like they had too much spare time on their hands once they entered retirement. Searching for a purpose, they found it when they fell in love with fostering children.
Most times I have plenty to say, and very rarely am lost for words, but in recent days, that has changed. So what has happened for this to occur? An adorable, silky blonde-haired little two-year-old girl has entered our lives, and already enriched it beyond belief. She may be only two, but within two days has completely taken over our hearts, our lounge room chairs and our house, and we love it.
Our large living/dining room floor area may be completely covered with toys during the day time, but somehow that doesn’t seem to matter.
We may not understand everything she says, although we are learning every day, but that doesn’t seem to be important. The look of happiness and contentment on her cute little face has its own unique and special language.
So who is Ali*?
My wife and I have been foster parents for the last few years, and really enjoyed the experiences. Previously, the children have ranged in age from four to 10 – each one different in some ways but all wanting the things that we think we are able to provide for them.
Ali is the youngest and the most innocent. She came here for a short visit a few days before coming to live with us. Although she obviously didn’t know what was about to happen, it gave us a chance to meet her and find out a little about her.
Our initial thoughts were that she was totally adorable and couldn’t wait for her to live with us. We then prepared our house and her room in particular in eager anticipation of her arrival.
Ali eats anything we give her, helps to pick up her toys before going to bed, sleeps undisturbed for 12 hours at night with a further two hours after lunch, “helps” to wash the dishes, loves having a bath, loves her cuddles, loves having stories read to her, loves to draw… what is there NOT to love about her?
Having fostered children previously, everything is every still “new” and we wonder, could we be in what is called the honeymoon period? Possibly, but because she is only two years old there is every possibility that she will not be “damaged” or have “issues” like older children.
Even if that is the case, I’m sure it will be nothing major that we cannot rectify. Again, from experience there are sometimes “attachment” problems at the beginning. With Ali that certainly is NOT the case.
We have been told that she will be with us for at least 6 months which suits us just fine. We already know that when she does leave us there will be detachment issues, maybe not for Ali but certainly for my wife and me.
She is definitely a major part of our family, and our lives will revolve around her. In the days, weeks and months ahead we look forward to slowly introducing her to our wider family and friends. We know they will love her as much as we do.
From our point of view, is she going to be a little time waster? Yes. Is she bright and intelligent? Without doubt. Do we look forward to sharing our lives for the next few months with this amazing little girl? Absolutely. Are we biased about her? Probably. My wife tells me she has me wrapped around her little finger, could that be true? Possibly. Lost for words? Definitely.
*Names have been changed
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