Proud to be apart of this

It feels like things are finally coming together…slowly. I have to keep reminding myself, no matter the pace of the progress, I have to keep going. Progress is progress. I feel like I’ve armed myself with so much new information in the last month and half, I’m ready to step into my new role. What’s so awesome is that I finally feel like I belong. I feel I am at a place where I can help and assist others with their foster children. Something I’ve yearned to do since I could remember. Doing something meaningful, impactful!

I am a CSP (CARE Service Partner) for Fostering UNITY of Los Angeles County. I now sit in meetings with Directors, Deputy Directors of CDSS (California Department of Social Services). I participated as liaisons between foster families and DCFS. I am here to make a difference!

This is just the beginning of my journey in the fostering field. I can’t wait to help out as many people as I can. I’m here to share my love.

Here serving those who serve our foster children.

www.fosteringunity.org

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News flash

As one door closes, another door opens. Most of the time, things happens for a reason. Therefore we should be patient and see what happens next.

So many emotions

Three months ago today foster daughter came into our life and opened our eyes to so many different things. Kiddo definitely taught me patience is more than a virtue, its a skill that is a must have. Communication is absolutely necessary. Last but not least, love and positive modeling is a great way to teach them without them knowing it.

We known for over a week that she is leaving us and we couldn’t say anything. We have to hide our sadness and dismay. Now she’s been notified, we can hug it out whenever we feel down because of it.

Now not only trying to stay positive for myself, have to be positive for all of us. Trying to reassure her how great everything will be when in truth… we do not know what it will be like.

Who is going to be strong for me?

 

 

 

May is Foster Care Month

There’s always so many different types of awareness going on each month. I think it is a good idea, because it is suppose to help raise awareness of whatever topic that is important. I never knew about Foster Care month prior to being a foster parent. There’s really not much to be taught. Just be aware that there are many children out there that may need help. I also feel it is important for people to know that it really takes a village to raise children, especially not your own. Now I had a “taste” of being a foster parent, I am really in awe of those foster families that only wants to foster to takes in five or eight kids. I have a hard time keeping up with just one, how do they take multiple children year after year and still have a smile on their face? To me, that’ is the pure definitely of altruism. We started all this with a slight (okay maybe not so small) selfish intention of adopting in the future. However with fostering, you never know what the end result is, until….it happens. The true practice of taking it one day at a time with no expectations.

I made a google group for families in the greater Los Angeles area to come together. I am in many other resource groups already, however I wanted to connect with those closer geographically as well to make a deeper connection. 

It would be awesome if you can spread the word!

LA Resource Families Google Group

To vent or not to vent

I have hope to do a vlog at some point. However my free time has been shrinking smaller and smaller with this wild and wonderful kiddo in my home. There are plenty of things we enjoy and there are definitely a lot of things we would love to avoid when it comes to the kiddo. However right now my frustration lies somewhere else. I know there are tons of other people expressing their dismay about this whole learning at home thing. I feel my concerns are a little more specific. I am very happy teaching the kiddo at home. I also feel she benefits from it as well. The regular routine and a little more peace and quiet compared to a school setting. I am aware my case may or is different from many others. But there were two incident that happened within the last week that had me feel very frustrated (and not towards the kiddo!! lol).

First kiddo’s therapist said its okay not to do the homework she assigns. That really didn’t sit well with me. I thought we are suppose to help kiddo learn to do better and always try her best (it was one of the good choices on her good/bad choices worksheet). So doesn’t this teach that inconsistency is something we allow? Our kiddo is not lacking any free time, so why can’t we ask her to do her homework? Therapist did explain to kiddo that she must do her SCHOOL homework, but any other homework the therapist assign her, she doesn’t have to do. The therapist doesn’t want to cause the kiddo any negative feelings….. I really do understand the concept but…it just feels…we are not holding her accountable. Therapist did tell me don’t remind the kiddo to do it, so I didn’t. Maybe in hope for kiddo to feel motivated to do it herself. Also to help her practice her memory. The kiddo did remember the next day and was talking about what she learned, so I asked if she wanted to do it, she said no. 

I know I’m not a professional. I don’t have a degree about child psychology or have any school-learned knowledge about how or what to teach our kiddo, but I just feel consistency is so important. Her school teacher also mentioned to the class that, kinder kids should only work a total of 2 hours a day… That was very shocking for me to hear also. There are twenty-four hours in a day, she spent about ten hours sleeping, there’s still fourteen hours left. With only 2 hours of “working” on school work, you want the kid to play for TWELVE hours a day?? I’m not saying kids have to sit with a book and learn all the time. But I feel a good compromise and mix between play and learning time is a better plan. Hubby said maybe teacher/district don’t want too much pressure on the kiddos AND the parents. I will just try and keep positive and believe that is what the message the teacher is trying to convey.

Well, better get back into the routine. Hang in there everyone!

Spring Break

This week is spring break. I have been doing research to see what activities we can do. I have to plan my day every 20 minutes at a time to make sure she is happy and engaged. Of course I make sure she is learning as she plays as well. I have been posting fun activities we have done through out the day on Instagram, don’t forget to check it out. With COVID-19 and this weather it is really hard keeping her entertained. Thanks to all the wonderful kind souls who has helped us during this time. In case you missed it, here’s a list of things my dearest foster girl need to keep her entertained during this scary time.

Please stay home and stay safe everyone! We can get through this together! Please feel free to message, call us anytime!

Wish list

 

Resources for kids

It’s been a wild week and half. I guess my dream of becoming a teacher has come true. With limited resources, we are making the best of it. After days of researching, I decided to put together some of the thing I found extremely useful with my kiddo.

Click on the link at the bottom for a list of resources. Let me know what other ones you have used and like that’s not on here!

Do not forget to have fun and relax once in awhile. Go grab your warm drink and cuddle up to watch Tokyo Disney, Disney Sea.

Resources for kids at home JM