[wisewoman]

So yes, I have this child, 5, beautiful wonderful girl from severe neglect etc...Large family. Fridays are visit days. Today one relative was supposed to come up and didn't but the rest of the sibs went to the cps office for the meeting and it is always like a zoo. Me, I zoned out and went to the orthopede this a.m. and got back exhausted and in pain at 1:00 and was supposed to pick up kiddo for the 1:00 visit and forgot all about it. Well, the social worker called me up and ran me up oneside and down the other, on the phone with the other parents and kids in the room and I could hear the kids clearly. I was sleeping. The visit escaped my mind and I was just trying to deal with my physical pain. This worker maybe should have had a private call with me? I called back and left her a voice mail telling her that I really hope she was having this conversation without the other parents present and that I know she wouldn't do that. Yeah right, it has been confirmed. I apologized for forgetting the meeting and stated that I had some health issue come up. I know I should let it go, it;s a peeing contest and my pee ain't going there.

This entire plan is not geered for the kids. They have to go there and sit and wait to see if a relative shows up. The kids are always off the wall. Then after an hour we decide to do some sort of activity. It is so not child friendly. Not organized, chaotic and disruptive. Yes, court ordered but plan an activity that is structured and healthy. ERRRRRRRR. I am not a very happy camper.

[bebop]

(((((wise))))) I am sorry you went thru this.

[Lexicon78]

(((((wisewoman)))))

[wisewoman]

Thanks bebop, I guess if I am complaining then I am going to take it upon myself to make the dates on the weeks they are not scheduled at cps at kid friendly places. I will also choose to bring the activities and make sure that we have the space so they can get engaged and do something productive when we are at cps. I actually caught it that I was not participating in getting the kids together enough. For cryin out loud, mine went to a sibs for the weekend and she came here another. erggghhhh No supports, just money out proverbial tushes at 3.00 per gallon and 64 mile round trips each day as well as therapist and family meetings. And, to get to be told when you screw up!!!!!!!!!!!! Should there not be a weekly note to all saying this week we meet at cps and this other week so and so is planning a beach day.... I am pissed. You get sucked in, fall in love with a kid and make a life time committment and have no power while the agency and the law is jerking you around. If I had my say it would be much different. But I don't, and won't, until a nice long trial that makes mom give up her rights. The system stinks and the kids are lost in the sauce. It is not changed for the better in twenty years but it is much worse!

[wisewoman]

OOPs Lexi, you must have been typing when I was, thanks for your support.

[bipolar_bear]

(((((((((((((wisewoman)))))))))))) I am so sorry they put you through this.

[Danialla]

Are you a foster parent for this child?

[wisewoman]

yes, foster to adopt.

[Danialla]

How does the foster to adopt program work in your county?

How long is the child in foster care before they are either reunified with their birth family or are able to be adopted by their foster family?

[wisewoman]

Ordinarily the law dictates that a child should either be re-unified with family of birth or adopted after two years. Not happening here and I knowthis is a very unusual, difficult case. However, it's still the children who pay, and pay, and pay. And staff with additudes and power struggles. We want to adopt at least two more children, this one and another hopefully. It's hard being so directed and getting no support.