The Joys and Challenges of Fostering with Little Monkey and Little Pumpkin

Introducing the New Little Ones in our Lives

Little Monkey, bless his heart, was a sensory seeker on overdrive. Daniel Tiger and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse were his jam, and his love affair with the alphabet was impressive. But with the adorable quirks came outbursts – meltdowns that could turn a sunny day into a thunderstorm in seconds. Yet, beneath the whirlwind was a cuddly little guy who craved snuggles, bedtime stories, and the calming melody of music. He kept us on our toes, requiring a bottomless well of attention and patience.

On the other hand, Little Pumpkin was a go-with-the-flow baby cuddle bug who developed into a curious explorer with a penchant for chewing on anything within reach.

You might wonder why I’m calling them such silly names. It all boils down to confidentiality. As you know, protecting our foster children’s identities is standard policy. [Reference Buncombe County DSS Foster Care and Adoption Confidentiality Guide, https://www.buncombecounty.org/common/dss/foster/Maintaining-Confidentiality.pdf].

Having these little ones in our home was an absolute blessing, but it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. It stretched our family unit in ways we never imagined. Little Monkey’s unpredictable nature and the daily routines of parenthood made for an emotionally charged environment. Some days were sunshine and laughter; others were tear-filled tantrums and desperate pleas for a moment of peace.

Finding the Hidden Gems of Early Intervention

These experiences, however, became the wellspring of inspiration for these very blog posts you’re reading. You see, navigating the world of foster care is a constant exercise in creative problem-solving. Every day presented a new challenge, a puzzle waiting to be pieced together. How do we create a safe space for emotional outbursts? How do we stimulate Little Monkey’s senses while keeping Little Pumpkin safe?

The answers, my friends, weren’t always easy to find. But we discovered a treasure trove of techniques and strategies through trial and error, laughter, and tears. And that’s what I want to share with you – the lessons learned in the trenches of foster care, hoping they might equip you, the amazing early intervention providers, to better support the little ones entrusted to your care.