The New Girl is leaving us

Court sucked. I've never had a foster kid's relative act like The New Girl's paternal grandma. That's saying a lot because BabyBoy's birth dad threatened violence and actually followed through with it on other individuals.

Court started bright and early and since we didn't get called, I just assumed we were near the end of the docket, but oh no it was because the paternal Gma's lawyer hadn't shown up. I got to hear paternal grandma say nasty things about me for 3 hours before the lawyer showed up and she finally figured out I was the foster parent. Such fun!

I was disappointed that nobody had read The New Girl's case file. They kept getting the date wrong for when she came into care. They couldn't keep facts straight. They had to look at the paper to say her name. I just wanted to scream SHE IS A THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE GIRL, PLEASE CARE ENOUGH TO READ ABOUT HER CASE.

The paternal Gma's lawyer lied to misled the judge and since everyone else hadn't read the file, they just went with it. It was frustrating to watch. The first misleading was that she told the judge that paternal grandma's house was a CPS approved home when in fact she had an open case for neglect on other children in her care. The case was open for over 2 years! The second misleading was the paternal grandma's lawyer said that the paternal grandma had "practically raised" The New Girl when in fact she only saw her sporadically. The New Girl knows who she is, but has never lived with her and doesn't know her as well as she knows her maternal grandma who, by the way, has been working her case plan fabulously.

The birth mom's boyfriend was there and he was also disgusted with the way court was going. The paternal grandma kept calling The New Girl "my baby". She is one of those loud showy people who like to get right up in your face. Yeah, I didn't care for her. The maternal grandma's lawyer was court appointed therefore sucked so the paternal grandma got The New Girl. I only hope that they attempt to get along well enough for The New Girl to have visits with both sides of her family. She needs to keep in contact with the people who actually have raised her since birth.

During the ISP meeting afterwards I asked that The New Girl be required to keep her medical appointments for such things as getting her cavities filled and her skin condition looked at, and that she be enrolled in a quality preschool program near the paternal grandma's home. The New Girl is so horribly behind her peers and needs consistent intensive help catching up. I have no idea if the paternal grandma will follow through, but I hope she will provide The New Girl with the stability, structure, and guidance that she so desperately needs. Its obvious that she is loved by many, which is so nice to see.

Goodbye Bella. Watching you and TheDaughter play together filled my heart with joy. We will miss you and think of you every time we hear your song on the radio.