Bug Update

Little miss thing has been on a roller-coaster of emotions since I last updated. 3 weeks before court, her mom was arrested for GTA but "It wasn't her fault." Figure that one out. So Bug missed two weeks of visits. Which was amazing. No behavioral challenges, no upset tummy, just a normal, healthy, almost two year old. One week before court, she was released. She had one visit with her before court. I went to bed crying every night. All of her behaviors she came to me with came back times ten. Hitting, scratching, biting, self harm, attacking the animals, and so much more.

The day of court was a visit day. The day my stud muffin decided to run around the desert like a maniac. I showed up at court and mom did not. We got started after waiting for a bit. The judge asked me to speak. Here's the challenging part of me going into court as a foster mom. Every single judge and attorney in that building, CASA's and GAL's know me as therapist Kerri, not foster mom Kerri. I respect that they respect me in that light, but I do not want to be put on a pedestal as a foster mom due to my profession. I talked about the upset stomach, the vomiting, the diarrhea, coming home smelling like meth after visits, the behaviors, the nightmares, I talked about everything. I wanted the court to know because it was important they knew. I was not expecting the attorney to request visits to end. To be honest, that was the last thing that needed to happen. She needs consistency. She needs to know what to expect. The not showing up for visits or getting locked up is too much for this kid.

The judge took the visits down to once weekly and ordered that I send her lunch and mom is not to feed her anything but what I bring. This has been working well. She no longer has diarrhea or throws up on visit days and her behaviors are pretty much back to normal two year old stuff. She has had two days in which she did throw up after visit. Both days I found stuff in the lunch bag I didn't send. I let the DCS cm know. I know he will follow up. He is great.

I was matched for number two. I am supposed to pick her up in a few weeks after my trip. The thing behind this is two families were matched with her. So they have to choose who they want. I'm a little annoyed by that. Just get the baby out of the group home. If the other parent can take her first, go get her now. Don't wait around and let her sit in group care. What do I know though...

-K