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Thank you all for your advice!!!
Well, We've made a decision...or at least took the first step.
I called today and gave our 10 day notice for the 4 year old we have. I can't quite cold turkey so we are going to take it slowly. We are keeping the 3 month old boy untill he goes home. I also asked them not to call us for placements anymore. I told them that as soon as he leaves we will make the decision to either not take anymore...or to only take 1 baby at a time. I'm not sure about only taking respite care cases....We will have to wait until our fs leaves.
I felt bad...having our 4 year old leave...but there were several reasons behind it. i thought I would feel like I was abandoning her...or giving up on her...but i don't feel that way. I went to her court yesterday and testified for her....I met all her family and took pictures of each one. I'm writing all her info down and all the comments she has said to me...regarding her abuse and passing them along to her social worker and new foster parent when that time comes. I do feel like we helped make a difference in her life even though she was only with us 2 weeks.
I feel so at peace with our decision...and the thought of only fostering one..and that he may be our last one(don't know yet). I feel like a weight has been removed from my mind...and soon my life. I will be more free to spend more quality time with my kids and husband.
I do feel like it was the right choice for us right now and for our family...even though it was a hard decision. I really appreciate your words of advice...it helped me to look at all my options...and know that IT"S OK TO TAKE TIME FOR JUST MYSELF AND MY FAMILY....it's ok for us to begin our life...as a whole and not constanly be sharing it with others that come and go. Hopefully it will help my children really feel like they are part of a FOREVER family...that they aren't leaving.
Thanks, again so much for your help!!! I knew what I needed to do for myelf and my family...I guess i just needed others to say it's ok.
I've been kinda pressuerd from the placement people....
I'm very greatful for everything they have done for us in helping our family come together...but I don't owe them my life. They've mentioned several times jokingly that they don't want us to give up fostering just because we've adopted....that we owe them another couple years to show them our gratitude. I guess a part of me kept that in my mind and made me feel obligated to continue. (don't getme wrong i love fostering) But this break....is very very over due. I really wish they would have done the opposite and could have recommended us to take a short break to help adjust and enjoy our new family...rather than keeping us so buzy. I think it would have been nicer to have that special time with just our family.
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