[Archive]

This message was originally posted by new2fostering.

WOW is seems to happen fast in America, we won't go to the "Panel" for approval until february 2004!!!
It takes 6 months here in the UK.

We are hoping to foster children from birth to 6 years, preferably a girl....as they will be sharing a bedroom with my daughter.
Do you think it's wrong to ask for a girl over a boy???
As i have both i'm worried that they will question this...and to be honest i'd love another little girl in the house....and my daughter who is almost 7 really wants a sister.....lol

One thing that has me worried is in the posts i've seen people mention safety checks on the house, and all we have a safety gate in the front hall, but that is mainly to stop our 2 cavalier king charles spaniel dogs getting out of the front door....I have never heard of these sort of checks being done in the UK so i wonder if that really happens over here??

I'm also worried about them asking about my past, as i was sexually abused as a child, and really would rather not talk about it, i'm "over" it now, and it doesn't impact on my life, but i'd still rather not drag up the past.

Heather

Oops was supposed to be a relpy to my last post not a new thread......lol

[Archive]

This message was originally posted by jodyk2.

Heather,

In the end, it was about 10 months from when I started the process until I was licensed, and another nearly 5 months until I got a child who "fit".

I don't think there's anything wrong with preferring a girl over a boy. My agency asked preferences about sex, race and age as well as disabilities. And, they helped me with the few things I was unsure of. (Example: they recommended I take only permanent court wards -- which is what my fs was supposed to be, but it hasn't turned out that way.)

I think different agencies -- & probably different countries -- have different safety requirements. I live in an apartment, and the only thing I needed that I didn't have already was a carbon monoxide detector. There were no regualtions about putting locks on doors or cabinets or anything of the sort like other people have mentioned. (Good thing, too; since it's a rental property, the apt. management would probably have considered it defacing the property & then I'd be charged for it when I move out.)

As for your past, I don't know whether or not they'll ask. If they do, it's best to be honest; if you're not & they find out about it, that may cause problems.

Good luck to you!
--jody

[Archive]

This message was originally posted by new2fostering.

Hi Jodi,

They know about my past as i mentioned that i knew one of the social workers there.
I had to tell them as my mum works for the social serices dept. but the adults section not the kids, and the social worker that was assigned to me at the time is now my mums boss!
I don't mind talking about it if i have to, as i'm not ashamed about it as i was the victim, i just worry that this will put them off.
Does anyone have any ideas about what they'll ask my kids?...my daughter is almost 7, and i'd like to prepare her for it, as she can become very shy in situations like this.
My son is 3 and a half, will they ask him?????

So many questions......lol

Heather

[Archive]

This message was originally posted by PAmom.

Heather I think you asked some really good questions! I have a 7 year old daughter also and was a littlle curious as to what they would ask her.

I hope everything goes well for you!