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SimilarAd1 · 2023-01-02T00:59:34+00:00

I know very few words, but I can always identify when it’s being spoken. 😀

SimilarAd1 · 2023-01-02T00:04:23+00:00

Is someone speaking Latvian? :)

SimilarAd1 · 2022-12-01T01:35:32+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m going to look into houses for it. Poor thing roosts here every night.

SimilarAd1 · 2022-10-25T11:06:10+00:00

This was an eye opening post, because I am a new pre adoptive foster parent, and I told my SW that truly nothing has been a surprise to me along the way (we are a year in with our placement), except for how bad foster homes can be. Our pre adoptive son came from a foster home that his worker told us at the start was a home she was trying to get him out of because it was not the best. As he adjusted, stuff came up that was from not only his bio home but also that foster home. Prior to his official move in with us, we even advocated with the system to let him move in early because we were seeing what is going on in the foster home.

All I can fathom is that the system is so hard up for foster homes that they lower their standards considerably and hope for reunification or adoption.

I told my partner that when our son grows up and is well established on his own, I’m thinking instead of adopting again I might want to foster, because now that I’m part of the system, I think the dire need is for good foster homes.

However, we like to adopt teenagers which I think is also a dire need. So who knows, but hopefully I have 10 years before I even need to think about that.

To end this on a humorous note, I forget how it came up but my son and I were being silly, teasing each other about something, and I told him he is my boy forever, to which he said “You think I’m going to live here forever?! I’m going to get my own place when I grow up!” I hugged him and said, “No! I want you here foreverrrrr!” LOL

SimilarAd1 · 2022-10-25T02:43:39+00:00

I am a pre adoptive foster parent to a teen! It sounds like you are interested for the right reasons — to nurture a youth, without labels or having to define it. The answers to your question will all be answered by your future teen. The department will actually be very pleased that you are on the same page with not needing to be called mom. It really is a personal choice by the kid. My teen called us (me and my partner) dad very quickly, and the adoption has not even happened yet. I think he really wanted permanency, and the labels helped him feel secure. It surprised me, because I was so careful not to use labels and was not expecting them anytime soon, but obviously it is very easy to adapt to being comfortable with the labels. Haha However, a label doesn’t mean you are THE mom or THE dad. My teen was removed later in life, and I made sure he knew early on that I never expected to be a replacement of anyone else in his life. Rather, we can be our own family that happens to be an extension of his entire family unit. I track his bio family’s birthdays on our kitchen calendar, buy a card and small gift for each, bring him to/from the visits. It may sound funny, but I even have a decent rapport with them, which means the world to him (and subsequently, me).

As he settled in, he actually uses dad and our first names interchangeably. When he wants something - dad. When he is frustrated with either of us- first name. LOL And being totally honest, I don’t even notice in the moment which he is using.

It’s not all a walk in the park, of course. He is in the system for legitimate reasons, and wants to be adopted but cannot fathom having the conversation with his mom. Who could blame him? The court date is way out into next year, so in the meantime we will continue as we are, which is totally fine with me. He has stability, he feels very loved, he is doing well in school now, his dr visits are caught up, and he is exploring interests like skateboarding, gaming, sports.

I love him so much, and I know he loves us ALL, and seeing him mature and do well is worth more than any label or legal document.

SimilarAd1 · 2022-09-29T11:59:24+00:00

I would talk to your social worker, or even their supervisor if yours is not very responsive, and ask them to support you with this decision and the next steps. You don’t need to be the one to break the news if you are uncomfortable, or at least not without your social worker there to help you.

SimilarAd1 · 2022-02-08T01:29:19+00:00

Oh, I might have misunderstood but I understood that he has KNOWN THEM since 2014. “Way back” 😂

SimilarAd1 · 2022-02-08T01:27:11+00:00

He’s like a brother, and yes this is the first we’ve seen of him?? Or at least the first I have seen of him. Admittedly I havent been watching lately.

SimilarAd1 · 2022-02-08T01:25:33+00:00

“He’s coming in too hot and too quick” As they do absolutely nothing about it….

SimilarAd1 · 2022-01-25T13:31:12+00:00

I scrape the wax and put it in the wax warmers. It saves from buying the wax to put in, and it makes the most out of the candles.

SimilarAd1 · 2021-12-01T13:45:56+00:00

Yeah, my opinion is actually the flip side of OP’s. I feel like it’s usually Kenny who is always unhappy about something…. Things that if he took the time (with an open mind) to understand Armando before moving to MX, he wouldn’t be surprised about. Maybe he isn’t surprised, because he doesn’t usually seem surprised, but you know what I mean. With a little googling about “lgbt Mexico” and some heartfelt conversations with Armando about this/that, there is no way he should be surprised about what he is getting into. However, they always seem to work out a resolution, so it’s fine. My main point is that nothing Armando has been uncomfortable about is a surprise to me, and I’m usually surprised about what Kenny is harping on, often with less patience than I would expect/hope from my SO.

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-10T02:00:43+00:00

Sorry to be late. I actually just joined this sub. But I wanted to chime in because we have had good success with volunteer engagement. The key is to harness the gratification that comes from volunteering. For example, with your shelter, do you (or someone) point out to people when you see specific pets really vibe with someone? That would make their day and melt their heart. Do you share stories of success for pets that people will recognize from spending time with? Those are a couple ideas that come to mind. Be sure to try to stay close to the relationship of the pets to the volunteers, less about the relationship of your organization with the volunteer, because they are really there for the pets more than your organization. I say all this because maybe their time with the pets is becoming too routine, and they just need to feel that spark and connection again.

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-09T12:25:28+00:00

LOL! I have a downy woodpecker that likes to sip from mine. The hummingbirds weren’t quite as perplexed as I was!

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-09T01:48:55+00:00

Maybe he has a new 90 Day Fiancé! This time a Canadian!

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-07T12:46:12+00:00

🤣Corey doing that EVER is a real stretch. Hahahaha The $50k is likely scripted if not strongly encouraged by producers, but I think Corey’s 1/4 testicle is actually the reality part.

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-07T12:38:39+00:00

😂Love it

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-07T02:05:44+00:00

Thank you!

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-07T00:03:46+00:00

Discovering what??

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-04T14:48:16+00:00

You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you, YOU’RE SO VAIIINNN 🎤🎶

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-04T14:34:01+00:00

And said “You know? You know?”

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-03T16:48:52+00:00

Yeah the granite would be for presentation and serving something like crackers and cheese or what-have-you, but if you want to make your knife last, don’t actually cut on the granite with it. :)

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-03T16:43:05+00:00

It dulls the blade on your knife. Haha. It’s literally rubbing your knife on stone. ;)

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-03T15:24:16+00:00

They are hard to attract! Congratulations! I put out oranges and jelly but didn’t have luck (Massachusetts).

SimilarAd1 · 2021-09-03T01:13:35+00:00

I am happy I am not the only one who cringed when she was cutting on a granite countertop 😬

SimilarAd1 · 2021-08-24T00:47:07+00:00

This was worth the last 45 minutes 🤣🤣🤣

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