Canice
You said
After reading many of the threads I came to terms with the fact that although I am a foster parent I am in a very different position then most of you. I did not seek this out.
Yes, you did seek it out. When you called the sw and got involved, that was a choice. Your niece is the one that had no choice in this situation.
Not to be rude but if you were not close to the children how was it better for her to be with you than with a stranger? If you are not bonding with this little girl then you should think about why she is with you? Would it be better for her to go to a family that wants a little girl?
We were in a similar situation 2 yrs ago when the daughter of my cousin was in foster care. We spoke to her sw, her therapist, her teacher and her fosterparents before we made the decision to take the placement. We thought we knew what we were in for, we were wrong (but that is another post). Did you do this or did you let your heart lead you into this situation without really thinking it through?
I am really not trying to be mean here, I just feel you should sit down and really think about how you would feel if she were in your home forever and how you would feel if you let her go to another adoptive placement.
The rule in our house is that if we cannot love the child, then this is not the place for them. Feeling a bond can take awhile, it was about a year before dd felt like "my daughter" Maybe some counseling for you two together could be helpful...
Cyber hugs for you
