We’ve been foster parents for 2 nights so far and mostly it feels surreal. On one hand it kind of feels like babysitting. And on the other I can tell my life has totally changed. It’s definitely not easy and we’re all tired.
I don’t know how long we’ll have this little tater. I hope it’s a while because she’s been fabulous and so much fun. But even if it’s a short time, she’ll always be our first, and in less than 48 hours she’s made her mark.
I’m incredibly happy she is a happy baby- likes to play, smiles and babbles, is quickly learning how to use a sippy cup, and is so easy to love. I’m also blown away by Mitch. I knew he’d be amazing, but he’s extra amazing. On night two I had tickets to a play. I debated not going but he knew I really wanted to see the show and encouraged me to go. I did a diaper change and got her in jammies and said goodbye. I felt guilty leaving him but he’s a pro. Bedtime has been a little rough- we don’t have a routine yet and we don’t know what her routine was- so there’s been a lot of crying. But both nights he’s managed to get her to sleep- what can I say, the man knows sleep.
Just in the past few days I’ve gone through about a million emotions. I can already tell this is going to be a really hard journey. I selfishly want a little tater to call my own. But I knew when I signed on to this that foster care isn’t about me- it’s about all the kids and families who are in the system. And that means putting my selfish wants on the back burner. I’m confident at some point we’ll have a little tater that’s ours forever- but I have no idea what that road will look like. In the meantime I’m going to enjoy the little tater we have now- and learn how to be a mom (that word also doesn’t feel real).
I’m so glad to have a partner in this. Major shout out to the single parents out there- just 48 hours in and I can’t imagine going solo. I couldn’t ask for a better partner either- we make a good team.
