Advertisements
So after spending several years teaching early education(before beginning a new career), doing loads of respite care, raising my child mostly as a single parent, I have found myself in an unimaginable situation. I am now fostering my niece who was taken by the state from mom and dad for abuse. She has been with us for 2 months now, and it feels like an eternity. She is a 6 1/2 mo old flourishing little girl, who faces huge challenges. Neither parent will admit guilt, and maternal gram and great gram are in total denial, and making me out to be the bad. It's so bad the guardian ad litem even feels baby should return home, yet no one can guarantee she will be safe. I was doing very well with this, and have an amazing partner of just one year at home, but I feel like I'm sinking. Sinking into a hole of not being able to guarantee that she can and will be safe and happy. At the last court date the guardian advocated that she return to mom, yet has never met her or me. I feel very helpless, and even though we keep trudging through day by day, it's becoming horrendously painful and difficult. I've been reading many threads on here, and thought maybe I could find some support for those who have walked, and are walking in my shoes........
Like
Share
I am also a foster parent in Mass - and some of your post doesn't quite make sense to me. Has she been in care for two months? or in care longer and with you for two months?
Was the child actually appointed a Guardian ad litem? That would be unusual in Mass, particularly for a baby and for a case that is relatively new. Are you confusing a guardian with the child's attorney or a CASA worker? Understanding the different roles that people play can help you get through this process. The child should be appointed an attorney.
Two months does seem like an eternity when you are parenting a baby. They learn new things every day. And with every minute you grow more attached.
Take a deep breath. Two months is very very new for a case. And a guardian or Attorney taking a position in Court that a child "should eventually be reunified with the parents if they continue to do well" does not mean "the child should be returned next week".
Keep asking questions.
Good luck
Advertisements
I am actually in VT, not Mass. She has been with me for 2 months now. She does have a guardian ad litem, who was appointed immediately, and reports directly to the baby's attorney with her thoughts and findings. And although it is still all very new, the guardian ad litem is pushing for the baby to be returned home immediately, with total disregard for how the parents are doing.
Thanks for responding, it helps!