[Tamlynn]

Ok. . still fairly new to this foster parenting thing, but I'm getting the hang of it--I think. One thing I'm still not sure how to handle is the matter of fact way some of these kids blurt out why they are in care. I took two little guys in as an emergency removal from their first set of foster parents (there were allegations and based on the mark on the older boys face. . .not necessarily unsubstantiated) over the weekend. I had mentioned, as we were separating laundry out (I had two other kiddies as respite) that I wanted to keep their things separate since I wasn't sure how long they would be there, when I knew the other two would be leaving us in a few days. The oldest boy (who is 7) told me very matter of factly that they'd be with us for a while because their "real mom beats" them. I was stunned. I mean I understood that physical abuse was part of how he and his 3 brothers (I only have two of them) were originally brought into care but it seemed to be the "side issue" of drug exposure and neglect and I don't know that I've EVER heard of a child just blurting something like that out. All I could manage to say, after scooping up what remained of my composure, was "Oh! Ok." How do some of you more experienced foster parents deal with it? I was struggling emotionally a bit this weekend as it was (PMS or something. . I'm not an emotional woman but I burst into tears at least 3 times), especially after noting the cigarette burn scars and what was apparently previously broken wrist on the 18 month old baby girl I'm providing respite for. Sometimes it seems like too much to hear these horrible stories over and over and when they are so nonchalant, it just rips your heart out. I guess what I'm needing is a quick refresher in how to just buck up or something.