The Story So Far

We are two middle aged people who have lived happily together for nearly 20 years. During that time, we have done a number of quirky, perhaps even crazy things, that have set our friends and family to shaking their heads in wonder, but none so insane as this latest venture. Sure, they were unsure when we gave up our perfectly good jobs to move into a tent in the back garden of a derelict blacksmith's shop in Devon- but that turned out okay in the end. And definitely, Louise's family were concerned when again we gave up our jobs and moved, lock, stock, barrel and dogs and cats to Nova Scotia to build a straw bale house. But the house is still standing and even looks fairly normal. And everyone may have had some doubts when we threw ourselves into farming, collecting ever more critters of various species, but that too, though eccentric, and certainly not the soundest financial investment, did not completely leave the realm of the rational.

No, but when a couple of years ago, we announced that we were applying to be foster parents- that was probably when they gave up all hope. When would we stop with these ill-though-out plans? When would we grow up and act our ever increasing age? And much as I hate to admit it, this time they were right. There are some ideas best nipped in the bud.

It took quite a long time to be approved and to get our first foster children. The agency, trying to scare us off, gave us our first taste of fostering by setting us up for a weekend with 2 infants under 3 years old. 2 kids in nappies. 2 kids, always 1 awake, always 1 hungry. That's okay, we told ourselves. We don't really want to foster babies.

So then a few more kids for weekends or even entire weeks, respite for full time foster parents. That wasn't too bad actually. We took them places and did things- but we were champing at the bit. We wanted kids we could work with. Longer term placements. Kids who could settle into our home and we could really make a difference with.

Beware of what you ask for!!