kanga2
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Post by kanga2 on Mar 7, 2014 12:39:46 GMT
No particular question here, but general ramblings.
Our daughters' BM is pregnant. Life much more together, new partner, will be allowed to keep baby at least initially. DDs don't know yet.
DD1 is 14. Struggling already having worked out that her 7yr old fairy tale ending won't happen. Broke up with boyfriend recently (2yrs together, we were not keen due to her age and vulnerability and his ASD). Tries so hard at school but doesn't always get results she deserves. Has also had random health issues since start Dec so generally feeling run down.
DD2 is 9. Generally trots around happily, but very sensitive to news of BM and her background generally. Young for her age.
No idea how they will take the news when it arrives officially in contact letter.
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Post by milly on Mar 7, 2014 13:50:45 GMT
Would it be possible to arrange some support for them eg some kind of counselling so its available when they get the news? Or could a pasw actually deliver the news - on the grounds that the messenger tends to get shot - if you think you might be the focus of any fall out?
We had to give our dd bad news when she was 9. She did take it badly and it was an issue that recurred regularly over the next couple of years. Her anger wasn't directed at us but of course we had to deal with the behaviour and her sorrow. In hindsight I would have at least sought some professional advice over the best way to tell and manage the repercussions.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2014 17:59:15 GMT
Great advice from Milly.
Think it would be better coming from someone else as we know how us Mums tend to be blamed for everything.
I do think both DD's could do with some counselling to come to terms with a new sibling and what's likely to happen to him/her etc. They are bound to be upset and will have lots of questions.
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kanga2
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Post by kanga2 on Mar 7, 2014 19:47:51 GMT
Thank you for your thoughts.
DD1's secondary has good pastoral care which she already uses a bit. But of course they aren't experts in adoption. On the other hand they are there when she needs them, rather than a fixed appointment time. She did have some adoption counselling around 18months ago (working through thoughts about direct contact), but I'm not really sure how helpful it really was for her.
DD2's primary also has ELSA support and again is on tap. DD2 isn't very fluent/articulate but she does feel stuff. Today they had to draw 'their hearts desire' (doing Harry Potter - mirror of Erised) and she says she drew her BM.
I don't think they will 'shoot the messenger'. But it will bring up worries about BM coping with sibling, feelings of being forgotten / replaced, desire for direct contact and who knows what else.
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Post by damson on Mar 7, 2014 22:44:19 GMT
Do you have a post adoption social worker? Ours was very helpful at times like this - not because your girls will shoot the messenger, but because sometimes telling the news/ story is better done jointly. And just possibly, counselling could flow from pasw. (maybe don't hold your breath though.)
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kanga2
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Married Adopter
Posts: 53
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Post by kanga2 on Mar 8, 2014 9:21:04 GMT
We don't have a PASW - we've never needed one, and we are now 7 years (almost) from placement. We have floated the idea of BM having another baby before, because she is now in long term stable relationship, and they were OK with the btheory, but the practice is another matter. We were matched and placed with the same LA, but it isn't where we live, so I guess a PASW would come from our home area, which is a shame as they don't know the whole backstory, whereas our placing LA has much more knowledge. We aren't going to be officially told until the next contact letter in a few weeks, so we have some time to think about how to handle all this.
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Post by damson on Mar 8, 2014 20:34:56 GMT
I think it could be worth getting a pasw, and getting a relationship going. They can learn the backstory, and they can meet the children as they are now.
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kanga2
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Post by kanga2 on Mar 21, 2014 13:13:06 GMT
Quick update. Thank you for all the suggestions. Sadly we recently got a follow up call from the SW, and BM lost the baby. Luckily the girls had not yet been told about the pregnancy. So although we may have to deal with this in the future, it won't be imminent.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2014 16:27:53 GMT
Mixed feelings about your news Kanga, but thank goodness your girls hadn't been told already, so at least that's a blessing. Also can't help but think it was for the best, sad but true.
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Post by moo on Mar 21, 2014 16:44:08 GMT
Thanx for the update...
Good the girls didn't yet know....
xx. moo. Xx
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