So I decided all but #5 were unreasonable so I gave up.

Fast forward a year and a couple weeks. I have a room mate now. I have donated my parents' clothes to good will. But I took three months not the week I was allowed. I gave the blankets and quilts to members of my family slowly over time.

On Thursday I got a phone call from a caseworker to take a child.

I said: "my training has expired". Was told that it doesn't expire.

I said I was still single and had a full time job. Was told that they would work with me for respite for when the school age child had days off.

I said that they needed to do a homestudy. They said they could update my old one.

I said I had no extra beds now. They said I was resourceful and could get a bed there in a few hours.

So my heart has once again been tugged toward my forgotten dream of giving a homeless child a home. Should I do it again? It seems children's services is being very reasonable and sane all of a sudden.

Maybe God was keeping you from getting into more than you could handle in your very difficult time - and now the door opens. Sounds great!

If it feels like the right thing to do, then go for it!

Best wishes Serena.  May you and the child form a bond and be a blessing to each other.

Hmm-schoolage child-4 or so days left of  school.

What are the summer plans?

Best wishes with this. I think you have a lot of love to give.

for me it always felt like an absolute panic for the first few days after a placement... and then things seem to work their way into a routine.

what a flippin' circus your childrens aid society is, though.  eeeeshhh.

i'm getting ready to toss my hat into the ring here in winnipeg, though... i'll probably need your best wishes and luck sent my way if it is as ridonculous here as i have heard!!

Oh Sigh-We don't have "Children's Aid societies' in  AB. We have government run social services -that includes Child Welfare and  some private (native) placement programs.

I think Serena is with the the provincial government one.

Although to be fair Tabitha, the difference is minimal, other than a bit more local input CAS runs pretty much the same as CW (I was on the board of a CAS for a few years).

BOth can be equally dysfunctional--it all depends on the worker one is dealing with.

Year round school in your area or full-time respite care? Confused.

Good luck Serena. This is a door opening for you.

I decided to not do the foster thing anymore.  I am tired of being a puppet and waiting for the children's services.  I told them "no".  They were shocked.   Foster parents don't say no often.  I have moved on.  Its time to close that chapter of my life and move on to bigger more important things.  Don't know what they are but I know its not foster parenting.

SG it was for a full time child year round.