Another day, another dollar* ... umm, homevist. Yes, we did just have one eight days ago. Why do you ask? A lot can change in 8 days. Really! BabyBoy could have grown a third eye. I could have dropped my basket and ran for the hills. Or something.
This time they came together and arrived early. The power of two coupled with a surprise attack. Twice the fun! The Cheerleader's worker may be changing as they are no longer getting along (more on that later). BabyBoy's worker has decided that she just might like me afterall. Or maybe not, but at least she is now allowing me to take the children out of state. Beach, here we come!
Three weeks and counting and they still haven't contacted The Husband. I still haven't received my copy of the ISP paperwork. I've also not received a call about any other children although reportedly there have been lots of pickups lately. Bella** has been back with her birth family for what, a month, and I still haven't received the placement money*** for her despite repeated assurances from the worker that she sent the info to the foster association treasurer. The foster association treasurer and president have not returned my emails or calls. I am the VP ... or I was ... am I still? Who knows.
This was Homevisit #2 for The Cheerleader. Her worker says the grandma said that The Cheerleader is better off in foster care. The grandma says the worker said that The Cheerleader is better off in foster care. The Cheerleader believes the grandma. The Cheerleader is very, very angry at her worker. The grandma changes her mind from day to day on whether or not she will allow The Cheerleader to come live with her. One day she says yes, that she will clean a room, pay for insurance, etc. The next she says she can't let The Cheerleader come live there because her husband doesn't want her there and he might leave her. The next day she claims she will call CPS and let them know of her interest. The next day she has decided perhaps it's best for The Cheerleader to go live with another family member. They promise her a car and don't deliver. They promise her to call CPS and don't do it. They promise her that they will take care of her, and then don't follow through. She lived with them for a short period before and they would tell The Cheerleader that everything was fine but yet call CPS out and ask them to take her away. The Cheerleader still does not believe her grandparents called CPS. The other grandparents can't get a medical clearance. The uncle wasn't willing to let her come there to live full time, only for a short week or two stay. The cousins that had her for the year prior to her entering care are all up in our business trying to control shit, yet they are the ones who gave up on her and returned her to CPS. Their reason? Because she got drunk at a party after prom and they weren't ready for teenager behavior. They have a bio preteen that I bet they don't return to CPS. So many people in her life, none of them willing to parent. Sad.
The Cheerleader has been texting her worker asking if she can do this or that, without my knowledge, but the worker calls to let me know so that I am in the loop. I am thankful because I've had a teen in the past that triangulated and her worker was a naive participant.
The Cheerleader has only known her friend since Jan of this year, yet she calls her friend's mom, "mom". She talks about how her mom has plans for them to do this, to do that, to go here, to go there, to shop for school clothes, to go to this college, etc. It bothers me more than it should. At first I recognized it as The Cheerleader wanting the money and material objects of her friend, and possibly the normalcy of a stable family, but now I am taking it a little personal****. Her friend's mom isn't willing to do what is necessary to get The Cheerleader to come live with them, yet The Cheerleader wants to be there. She seems to ignore the fact that they aren't willing to care for her. I am caring for her. Damnit.
Just today she started talking about how she wants to be like her mom and drink and marry money and do nothing but shop all the time. This is her aspiration. Nevermind her mom is an addict and steals and her boyfriend/husband is in and out of jail for dealing drugs and she doesn't have custody of any of her children which all have different baby daddys. What is the lure?
It's not personal. I know that. It's. not. personal.
*this is sarcasm
**Bella is NOT her real name, and you would know that if you bothered to read my blog past the title
***$100 given by the foster association, which is NOT funded by CPS or the state
****If you notice, I'm talking about her friend's mom, not The Cheerleaders mom. I'm taking it personally that she calls her friend's mother "mom". The cheerleader's mom is back in rehab. She got fired from the bar for theft. Also, she says she doesn't want The Cheerleader. The Cheerleader's dad is in prison. The cousin's dropped her off at CPS and said they didn't want her. The Uncle only wanted her for a week. The grandparents are her last hope ... and I'm rooting for them ... they just seem to be wishy washy.