We started fostering in 2021 and had planned to support 1 child. We had a phone call from our amazing supporting social worker Ingrid. She told us about 2 children, brother and sister who needed an emergency placement for the weekend.
It was our first placement and we were in the middle of decorating. We have 4 bedrooms, with our 2 boys in a bedroom each.
We made a decision in a matter of minutes. Checking in with our boys that they would be ok sharing, we put away our paintbrushes and rearranged our bedrooms to accommodate.
“they arrived an hour later and they looked anxious and afraid”
We were their third placement and they lightened when they saw our child friendly home and our boys playing. They had a tour of the house and a bedroom each ready for them. My collection of duvet covers proving useful at this point.
We cannot imagine the impact of them being split up at any point throughout this challenging time. Having each other we are sure has brought them both great strength and comfort.
They are still with us and we are a year in. They have had their ups and downs and have had different journeys through their separation from their familiar surroundings.
They have great appreciation of each other at this point and we are sure that being together has eased this distressing experience for them.
They see and experience things very differently and have needed support to understand each other’s perspectives.
For one of them to worry about the where the other one was or how they were would have exacerbated every emotion.
We wouldn’t change a thing. We have shuffled rooms around again a couple of times since and we would do it again in an instant.
Go with the flow and enjoy the ride. We are incredibly lucky to been able to support them both and watch them blossom.
