Do you know what is more contagious than COVID-19, FEAR. People are acting out in strange ways as we can see. And others are feeding off that energy.

For those who have kids, do they know what is going on? Have you talked to them about the world, what’s happening & hand hygiene?

Kids feed off of us. If we are fearful they are fearful, if we are sad they can sense that, if we are happy, they are probably going to ruin that happiness by asking you to watch their tik-tok video for the 8th time or begging you to make slime. (I’ll save my feelings about slime in a later blog post)

Keep the fear inside, keep your panic inside for these kids. On the last day of school for K she came home with all kinds of conspiracy theories. Some are quite funny. She is nosey, every 10 year old is. But I think her hearing is her super power because she listens to it all. Watch what you are saying out loud our kids are listening.

My child shouldn’t voice to me “I’m not scared about getting the virus. I’m scared of how other people are acting” this is why we are setting a great example of what to do for our kids.

When talking to your kids remember

◦ Be factual

◦ Remain calm and reassuring

◦ Remind them you, your family and everyone are keeping them safe and healthy

◦ They will need extra attention, they are home, they are bored, their daily routines are all messed up

◦ Express healthy lifestyle practices washing hands, cover mouths when coughing

◦ Keep up with schoolwork.

◦ Make the best of it, break out the crafts, play board games, read books and my favorite use your imagination.

What are you doing with your kids? Crafts? Games? Movies? Keeping up with schoolwork? Let me know by writing a comment.

Teens are definitely out of our comfort zone. I can speak for myself. Maybe because I still feel I am a teen myself? My music taste, my choice of food, the stores I enjoy the clothes I wear. Or maybe I just haven’t grown up.

We opened our home to D a 14 year old. Our first night together we let her pick her favorite food choice for dinner. We ended up eating Chinese food. Family style sharing stories. She was comfortable with us and ended up staying the night.

The next day we went to a farm in the rain. Got muddy and soaked, saw animals, enjoyed hayrides and face painting. The sun came out and we all painted pumpkins and chowed on lunch.

All she wanted was a cookie! I knew she would fit in because I always want desserts before meals!

Crystal and her played call of duty in the living room for hours. They had to sit so closely to the television because her glasses were broken. She ended up moving in a few days after.

Everything they teach you in our MENTOR classes can only prepare you so much for the real life of being a foster parent. Like the Honeymoon phase. It is absolutely true. Every child that comes into your home is going to have a honeymoon phase. And when people tell you it won’t last, you’ll think they are crazy!

Our Honeymoon phase with D lasted almost 2 months before we started seeing changes in attitude, behavior and everything all around.

We are taught and educated about trauma and past life experiences and have to understand where all of this behavior is coming from. It comes and goes in all ways. It’s like one minute your eating your favorite ice cream with all the toppings enjoying your best life and then you drop it in a pile of sh*t. And you sit there thinking what the actual fu*k are we doing. But we don’t give up.

D ran away once before, she runs from truths, confrontation and difficult situations. Only for a few dramatic minutes and she was back home. We have been threatened, attempted to be black mailed, loved, hugged, missed. This time is a little different.

As most of you have seen our posts all over social media’s. D ran away. She did not run from us, she did not run because of a relationship, she did not run away from her problems. She ran because she is sick of being in the system. She says she’s safe. She has blocked all of us on all and any social media. She’s in contact with people on tik-tok but will not disclose where she is. She is safe and “out of state”.

As much as we would like to say we get how she feels. We don’t we will never get it. We will never understand. We wish we could reach out and help. Until then all… ALL we can do as foster parents is wait. And continue to hope she is safe, happy and taken care of.

This morning Crystal took down her Jury Duty Form off the fridge. Under the form we found a note from D. Knowing what we know now. This was pre planned. She has been on a lifetime of adventure. Not the adventure yourself or I would want to be on however, this is just another chapter in her book. We know eventually she will come back. Until then we hope she is safe.

I feel like the only time the girls want to bother me is when I’m in the kitchen cooking. I know they are all little irritable, hangry and want attention.

With these wild children showing me Tik-Toks, singing baby shark, requesting snacks, talking about this and arguing about that my head wants to explode.

I’m trying my best not to raise my voice or yell, argue back and learning to let go of the little things. Yet the only time my fuse goes off is when I’m trying to cook and everyone is in the kitchen.

I came up with a great plan to keep all the girls occupied, out of my hair and engaged with me and each other while I’m cooking.

I lined our kitchen table with the large white rolling paper. Threw a bag of markers on the table and let their imaginations go WILD!

By the time dinner was done, there were drawings of people, animals, names and poop. LOTS of drawings of poop.

I plan on doing this nightly on days I’m actually cooking in the Kitchen. Not only did it keep the girls occupied for over an hour, but the girls were laughing and we were able to all have a little fun.

LEAVE A COMMENT-

What would you draw on your kitchen paper?

I’m thinking of drawing tic tac toe and hang man.

Lil late

Happy late Galentines Day! We spent our Valentines together as a family.. sort of!

Our local elks club hosted a Valentine’s dance to support the town sports team #GOTIGERS.

Our girls spent the entire afternoon getting dressed up in their sparkly red outfits, faces full of makeup and enough perfume to fog up the entire house.

Crystal picked up some of K’s friends and met us at the dance. I couldn’t park fast enough before K jumped out of the car thrilled with excitement, naming every friend she saw in the parking lot. Anticipating the arrival of Crystal I nearly thought she would have a heart attack.

Once at the dance the volunteers hound you to sign forms with your name number and who your child is. You pay, your kids get stamped and they run for the snacks, drinks and music. We were not allowed inside the dance. #noparentsallowed

Luckily for us, Crystals a member. We happily enjoyed our time on the other side of the venue. We were not able to take photos of the kids dancing and having a great time however, our amazing friend was a volunteer and snapped us some hilarious candids and videos. We know at least one of our kids has rhythm.

There was some drama that went down at the dance. Leading to an adult mother getting escorted out because her daughter was told to leave the ladies room several times because they thought she looked like a boy. After being harassed and embarrassed several times the little girl called her mother. I can truly say I know it would not have ended as casual as it did if that was crystal or myself.

We ended our night with Chinese food and PB Whiskey (for us) at home.

#keepingupwiththefergusons

Hey there!

Is your life put together? Do you have well behaved children? The perfect relationship? Cook 3 meals a day? Eat healthy? Work out? Are you a stay at home mom? Is everyone’s laundry done? Do you have time for yourself?

NO! Me either.

I think our daily struggles build character and help us appreciate life more (maybe I’m pushing it). I do always appreciate when my French fries are hot and there are napkins in my fast food bag.

I’ll be sharing posts about my journey. As a foster parent, a wife, a nurse, a dog owner, a Pinterest & crafting queen and an almost 30 year old who has not reached my breaking point yet.

Follow my family and I one day at a time.

Your little family is the best team you could have. — Unknown