Fostering Blog
Friday
It is finally the last day of the school term. After what seems like a very long term, we have finally reached the end. It has felt over the last couple of weeks that we have been crawling to the end, fighting off the seasonal coughs and colds, keeping anything more serious well and truly at bay. We have friends over the other side of our city who do not break up for another week. I know earlier in the term I felt it was madness to finish over a week before Christmas but now I am relived that we have all made it to the end in one piece.
Charlie will be working next week when the children are off, so I have made a few low key plans. One idea is to take them in to the city by train and go and see the Christmas markets. There is always the option of the cinema – and there is usually a variety of films to choose from. We are pretty much prepared for Alice playing devil’s advocate when it comes to choosing a film. She loves to choose the opposite of whatever Annie and Lauren pick – and she usually gets the reaction she knows is coming. We have learnt from this, and now I choose the film with Lauren and Annie well out of Alice’s hearing. We now just announce we are going to the cinema to see the chosen film – no negotiation!!
We are also hoping for a few quieter days, so I have organised my friend to come to take Alice out for a couple of days respite to ensure this happens. This will not only give me a bit of time with the older girls, but also some precious time to get some of the Christmas present wrapping done and any last minute shopping done.
Alice is not a fan of shops and supermarkets at the best of times so if we can avoid it with her then we do! She will get some quality time with our friend, meaning she will get her one-to-one fix for the week. Sometimes we have to weigh up whether the fall out from this will be worth it, as often she returns like a monster – craving all of our attention. But I figure with Christmas round the corner, she will get plenty of attention and gifts to see her through the phase, before it is back to reality – then she will be back at school!
A Less Ordinary Fostering Family Blog.
