[just_us_2]

I've known my kiddo for 3 years as a mentor - he's now 15 - and as of a week ago I am his foster/adopt mom.

Tonight is one of those nights I'm at peace. Last night, not so much - he was on his bed, sobbing, and I was feeling like the worst mom in the world. The day before I was crying on the phone to a friend, and I know not long before that, he'd had a crying spell, too.

The local children & youth services has been fabulous. They matched the new foster parents up with long term foster/adopt parents as mentors. My "foster mom" has been so supportive - an awful therapist turned out to be someone she knew of in the community as someone others had experienced similar stuff with, her adopted teenage son and mine will go to the same school and are becoming fast friends, and the tips she gave me regarding it not taking 3 hours to get out the door actually work!! Tonight's bedtime was the first that wasn't full of arguments and frustration. I made a schedule for bedtime, and he followed it. He has aspergers, and I think it helps b/c he knows what to expect, and we also are actually communicating (i.e. what I'm asking and what he's hearing are a lot closer than they usually are).

So I'm happy tonight. I thought I'd share two amusing comments:

Kiddo: "you're only 29? Wow C, I thought you were a lot older than that. I guess looks can be deceiving!" (said with a grin as my shy, sometimes awkward kid is all of a sudden figuring out humor)

and tonight:

Kiddo: "how do you order a C?"

me (C): "I don't know. How do you order a C?"

Kiddo: "you can't, she comes standard with the vehicle!"

I have no idea why that's funny, but we both busted up. He also gave me about 16 big hugs, went to bed on time, and wanted to be tucked in.

Night all - btw, my foster mom, her 3 adopted teenagers are all doing well. They had really rough lives before they became part of her and her husband's family. For all the awful stories, all the very legit nightmares, I see some great stories, too.

Thanks for being here.

[feelingreyt]

I am so glad to see you are both doing well.
Good luck!

He sounds like a very humorous individual! Laughter is the best medicine!