Fostering Experience Part 3

The 3 yo is a rambunctious 3 yo. A little beyond the normal 3 yo, but this kid hasn't had structure most of his life. He's a ball full of energy. A mess- my parents nicknamed him Pig Pen cuz he comes back from day care so dirty head to toe. And he falls. A lot. But he's darn cute and is funny and so lovable.

The 7 yo is a caring, compassionate young one who says the sweetest things. He's also manipulative, and so very angry. This anger comes out within week 2.

Homework- oh, first of all, stop giving little kids homework. There is no study that says it's beneficial, but I digress. Homework is always a fight. We had a routine, but it didn't matter, it was still a fight. Tears, screaming, whimpering, pouting. It's the worst part of the day for me. And for him. But we're managing until there's a back to school night where parents meet the teachers and kids get to watch a movie. He's excited. Let's get your homework done first. Fight, fight, fight. I threaten no back to school night. He runs away, literally, starts to run out the door. I stop him and try to have a reasonable conversation about how he just needs to do his homework. He pushes me. Hard. In front of my mom who about mama-beared his ass. But didn't. Reminder, I'm still on crutches. This fight finally resolves, I honestly don't know how. I think he scared himself to be honest. This was also when my mom said "you have to let them see you cry." Which I'll never forget.

Somehow he ends up going to back to school night with me. He doesn't deserve it, but it's also not worth the fight. I also let him ride home with the neighbors. I honestly needed the like 5 minute break from this kid. This was the first huge red flag for us.

Bedtime was also very difficult, especially for him. I think he was often left alone at night. He had me lie with him until he fell asleep. It was almost a trauma trigger for him nightly. This kid legit fought falling asleep. It was hard and broke my heart every night to read to him and put him to bed only to have him crying scared that he needs me. The 3 yo was difficult to put to bed, but really only cuz the kid had so much damn energy. One night I was putting them both to bed, by myself and the kid just wouldn't go to bed, he played on the floor while I was reading books and passed out there.

So, red flags, but my heart so full and I want to take away their pain so badly that I would do anything for them.